A situation in which laboratory tests performed at government hospitals have been ceased has occurred, mainly due to the shortage of chemical compounds and equipment required for such tests to be performed, driving patients to resort to paid laboratory tests via private channelling, sources closer to the Health Sector divulged.

In the backdrop, private laboratories are reported to have been charging staggeringly high amounts of fees for such tests, unravelling a crisis worse than the medicine shortage itself, sources further disclosed.

These test reports are essential for medical diagnosis and the situation of government laboratories ceasing their operations and private laboratories charging higher amounts of fees has thrown patients of low income into an abyss of endless torment in their inability to present reports for diagnosis, medical officers told LNW.

Be the fact that the forex crisis in Sri Lanka contributing to the equipment shortage leading to the ceasing of operations at government laboratories true, but as to how the private laboratories possess them would be extremely problematic, they pointed out, adding that despite the limited amount of dollars received by the country, whether they are being spent on priority would also be problematic.

MIAP

Former MP Ranjan Ramamnayake who arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport last night (27) to leave for the United States was not allowed to leave the country and returned by the Airport Immigration and Emigration officials.

This was reportedly due to the non-reception of an official update on the overseas travel ban imposed to the former MP being lifted by the Court.

MIAP

1. Bangladesh’s Central Bank prohibits banks in the country from carrying out transactions with Sri Lanka through the Asian Clearing Union system: ACU allows participating countries to settle payments for import & export intra-regional transactions: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are members of ACU.
   
2. President Ranil Wickremesinghe extends the Justice A H M D Nawaz Commission established to ascertain whether earlier Commissions of Inquiry and Committees that looked into human rights violations have revealed any serious violations of international humanitarian laws.
   
3. Owing to the defunct state of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, Kelanitissa Power Station lowers output: Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Plant suspends operations due to lack of sufficient diesel and naphtha: national grid loses approximately 165 MW.
   
4. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank pledges support for countries facing serious debt problems: earmarks USD100 mn for “crisis hit” Sri Lanka.
   
5. SLPP Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the SLPP will rise again: asserts it will also formulate the programme to rebuild the country by overcoming the prevailing crisis: also says the SLPP has received a “good response” from the people during its “Ekwa Negitimu” (Let’s Rise Together) rallies.
   
6. General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Sagara Kariyawasam emphasizes that dual citizens should be allowed to serve in Parliament: cites example of newly appointed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a Hindu of Indian origin.
   
7. Two Australian Navy ships, “Adelaide” and “Anzac” depart from Sri Lanka after a successful Passage Exercise conducted with Sri Lanka Navy ships “Sayurala” and “Sindurala”.
   
8. MP Wimal Weerawansa’s Counsel challenges the maintainability of the corruption case filed against him by the Bribery Commission.
   
9. State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says taxes need to be handled carefully in the challenging economic climate: adds that it is the responsibility of the entire country to “keep the poor alive”.
   
10. President Ranil Wickremasinghe places Telecommunications Regulatory Commission under the purview of the Ministry of Technology: previously, it was under the Ministry of Defence.

The Annual Kathina Ceremony of Pa Thein Monastery, Myanmar was successfully hosted by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon on Saturday, 22 October, 2022.  The event was participated by a large gathering including Ven. Sastravelliye Dhammakiththi Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Aukana Rajamahaviharaya in Anuradhapura, Sri Lankan Buddhist monks and the Sri Lankan community in Myanmar.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Myanmar Janaka Bandara welcomed the Sri Lankan community and appreciated their continuous support and cooperation towards the Embassy in sustaining his plans and programmes in view of strengthening the existing friendly ties between Sri Lanka and Myanmar. 

After the overnight Pirith chanting and Alms giving, the Kathina Robe and the traditional ‘Kap Ruka’ was taken from the Embassy premises to Pa Thein Monastery in a colourful religious procession with Buddhist flags, flower decorations and Myanmar traditional dancing groups. 

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Yangon

26 October, 2022