Colombo (LNW): Health authorities are advising the public to remain calm in light of recent developments regarding meningitis, specifically within the context of Matara Prison.

A single inmate at the facility tested positive for meningitis, prompting further investigation.

Biological samples from four inmates, who were hospitalised after exhibiting sudden and similar illness symptoms, underwent testing at the Medical Research Institute in Borella.

The initial suspicion arose when 17 prisoners were admitted to the District General Hospital in Matara last week, displaying symptoms consistent with meningitis.

Dr. Hemantha Ranasinghe, the director of the Prison Hospital, confirmed that only one of the four tested inmates was diagnosed with meningitis. Additionally, an earlier fatality had been reported, with the cause suspected to be brain fever.

In response to the situation, the Prisons Department has implemented rigorous health protocols at Matara Prison, including a temporary halt to admitting new inmates.

As of the latest update, two inmates are receiving intensive care in the ICU, while the remaining individuals are under medical supervision in a standard hospital ward.

To ensure the safety of both inmates and prison officials, antibiotics have been administered. Continued monitoring and appropriate medical measures are being taken to address the situation effectively.

Colombo (LNW): The ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) operation combatting the drug menace and organised criems in the country will resume starting today (27), Police said.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa cited the unavailability of personnel over the past three days (Dec. 24 – 26) for the temporary halt during the holidays.

Under the ongoing ‘Yukthiya’ operation, as of December 25, a total of 13,666 drug suspects have been arrested, with 1,097 being subject for rehabilitation.

The special raids initiated on December 17 have resulted in the seizure of large drug consignments, including heroin, methamphetamine (‘Ice’), and cannabis, along with the confiscation of ill-gotten assets worth millions of rupees owned by drug traffickers.

With profound sadness, the announcement is made about the demise of Mr. Parakrama Kuladasa Rajapaksha, a distinguished Senior Attorney-at-Law and a former Votanet member.

He was the beloved husband of Mrs. Shiraz Nazreen Rajapaksha, also an Attorney-at-Law.

The remains of Mr. Rajapaksha are currently placed at 700/120, Perera Mawatha, Thalawathugoda.

Funeral services to honour and bid farewell to this esteemed individual will be held today (Dec 27), at 6:00 PM, at the Thalawathugoda Cemetery.

For those wishing to pay their respects, the residence can be located at the following address: 700/120, Perera Mawatha, Thalawathugoda – Location Map.

The final resting place at the Thalawathugoda Cemetery can be found here: Thalawathugoda Cemetery – Location Map.

1. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki to visit SL on 9th Jan’24 to meet President Ranil Wickremesinghe to discuss debt restructuring: in Nov’23, SL & a group of bilateral creditors reached a “basic agreement” on “deferring debt repayments and cutting interest rates”: analysts point out that SL has been totally unsuccessful in negotiating a “hair-cut” of a single dollar out of it’s bi-lateral loans although the IMF Report of March’23 had assumed a “hair-cut” of 60% of the bi-lateral loans.
   
2. A CID team records a statement from former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at his residence over the controversial sub-standard Immunoglobulin import issue: so far, several high profile arrests have been made in connection with this issue.
   
3. National Water Supply Board says 95,241 customers who have not paid their bills up to Oct’23, have had their water connections disconnected: the Board reportedly supplies water to 3,000,240 water consumers across the country daily.
   
4. SJB MP S M Marikkar says the Presidential election will be held between 16th Sept and 16th Oct in 2024: claims President Ranil Wickremesinghe will not contest the upcoming Presidential election.
   
5. Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says SL is paying higher rates to renewable power developers than India: also says this is due to several reasons, including a risk premium after the “sovereign default”: asserts investors account for the country risk when looking at investing in any country.
   
6. Senior hotelier says SL’s hotel industry is currently coming out of the financial struggles as at least 70% of the hotels are paying off their loans: also says only about 30% are still struggling with the repayment of their loans that were granted a moratorium.
   
7. Authorities of the Réunion Island of France repatriate 14 SL nationals to SL by air on 22nd Dec: the group was reportedly apprehended as they were attempting to migrate to the Réunion Island illegally by sea.
   
8. Stock of loans in default of the Non-bank Financial Institutions at the end of the Quarter ending 30th Sept’23 stands at 19.99% compared to the all-time high of 20.36% in the Quarter ending 30th June’23.
   
9. Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development Chairman Ajith Mannapperuma says SL’s ornamental fish exporters have claimed that many species of marine ornamental fish endemic to the SL sea areas have become extinct and many small fish species have become emaciated, after the X-Press Pearl ship tragedy.
   
10. World Athletics year-end overall rankings lists 3 SL sprinters led by Aruna Dharshana in the Men’s 400 metres category: this is the first time that three 400 metres sprinters are in such an year-end overall ranking.

Colombo (LNW): The appointment of members to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has encountered a nearly one-month delay due to a divergence of opinions between the Constitutional Council (CC) and the Executive, Daily Mirror reported.

The Executive has insisted on three specific names for appointment to the Commission, established under the newly enacted Anti-Corruption Act.

While the CC has endorsed the nomination of Neil Iddawela, a former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, as the Chairman, it has not approved the two other nominees put forward by the Executive, according to Daily Mirror report.

Instead, the CC submitted the names of two alternative candidates around one month ago.

Despite this, the appointments have not been finalised, leading to a hindrance in fully operationalising the new Anti-Corruption Act.

Colombo (LNW): Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development, MP Ajith Mannapperuma stressed the imperative to annually assess the damage inflicted on the marine environment following the X-Press Pearl ship tragedy.

He advocates for the establishment of an expert research committee within the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to systematically evaluate the environmental impact.

Regrettably, for the year 2023, no expert team has been appointed to calculate the damage to the marine environment.

Consequently, there is an absence of a report to facilitate discussions on compensation agreements.

In response to this situation, the Director General of MEPA has conveyed that a second interim request has been submitted to the Justice Ministry and the Attorney General’s Department.

Despite seeking guidance on how to proceed with the expert committee’s work and its future requirements, MEPA has not received a comprehensive response.

However, the Justice Ministry has reportedly informed MEPA that the necessary cabinet approval for appointing an international, independent expert committee to continue assessing the destruction is in progress.

As of now, there is no appointment for the academic committee in 2023, and the Attorney General’s Department has not provided a satisfactory response to MEPA’s inquiries.

The MEPA Director General emphasised that all case reports are handled by the Attorney General’s Department, with MEPA offering necessary support as required.

Colombo (LNW): Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki announced on Tuesday (26) his upcoming four-day visit to Sri Lanka and Cambodia, scheduled from January 9, aimed at bolstering Japan’s relations with these two Asian nations.

During his visit to Sri Lanka, Suzuki is set to hold discussions with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, focusing on the vital topic of debt restructuring for the country.

In November, Sri Lanka, in collaboration with a creditor group led by Japan and others, reached a preliminary agreement on deferring debt repayments and reducing interest rates.

Suzuki emphasised the significance of maintaining steady progress in the debt-restructuring process during a press conference.

Additionally, in Cambodia, the finance minister will actively contribute to enhancing bilateral ties, particularly as both nations commemorate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations this year.

Colombo (LNW): After the tragic X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, Sri Lanka’s ornamental fish exporters asserted that numerous endemic marine ornamental fish species have become extinct, and small fish varieties are emaciated.

The above information was disclosed by MP Ajith Mannapperuma, Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development.

The emaciation effect is still apparent in the sea, making the identification and procurement of small fish species challenging, Daily Mirror reported citing Mannapperuma.

Additionally, forage fish varieties like sprats have suffered emaciation, and carcasses of large fish species and turtles have washed ashore.

The sea’s condition has not returned to normal, and the colour diversity of ornamental fish is severely damaged due to toxic waste from the ship.

Despite Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) claims of fuel removal, persistent fuel patches on the sea surface are reported in the area where the ship sank.

Fishermen have expressed difficulties finding fish in the affected sea areas, prompting calls for an annual assessment of fish harvests post-tragedy and ongoing monitoring to address reductions in fish populations.