Following the last hike of milk powder prices in the local market, the price of milk powder in the global market has soared by 10 per cent, revealed the Milk Powder Importers Association.
This will probably be leading to another price surge in milk powder in the local market, Union Spokesperson Asoka Bandara predicted.
In the severe shortage of milk powder in the local market it may take at least another two months to recover the situation, he added, expressing the milk importance grievance that they are facing a severe crisis due to the dollar deficit.
This is mainly due to the inability to obtain the required dollars for their import activities, Bandara added.
The strike action launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Assocition has failed and this mafia-like medical group was harboured by the current regime, alleged Chairman of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Rukshan Bellana speaking to media today (21).
The GMOA’s single demand demonstrated yesterday has now multiplied into seven demands, pointed out Dr. Bellana, adding that the officials of the current Health Ministry are suffering the consequences of the former Health Minister’s failed conduct.
The Health Ministry shall not be approving of such strike actions, he added, alleging that the GMOA is staging its strike action in a mission to protect the losing control of the health sector.
Despite the strike action in five selected districts yesterday, all wards, clinics and other operations at the hospitals were functional and only five per cent of those endorsed the action had not reported for duty, Bellana revealed, urging the authorities that the Media should be allowed to report them properly.
The fares of three wheelers will be increased due to the fuel price hike, revealed the National Union of Three Wheelers and Industrialists.
Accordingly, the Rs. 50 fare charged for the first kilometre of a three wheeler trip will be increased to Rs. 80, said Rohana Perera the Union Secretary.
The Rs. 45 fare charged from the second kilometre, nevertheless, will remain unchanged, he added.
Sri Lanka’s ongoing Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Health Sector Enhancement Project (HSEP) progress has been slowed down by improper prioritisation of procurement, underutilisation of allocated funds and accountability issues, according to the Quarterly Progress Report submitted by the Health Ministry to the Finance Ministry.
The outcome and the status of the US$ 60 million (Rs.12 billion) HSEP has been indicated in the Quarterly Progress Report for the Quarter – 1st of July to 30th September 2021.
This amount comprising $37.5 million in concessionary loans, $12.5 million grant and $10 million equivalent from the Government of Sri Lanka in counterpart funds is being implemented through a project investment modality.
It has been observed that the project was marred with a host of problems due to the irregular and inconsistent procurement of equipment and deviation from the scientifically agreed prioritization, the report said.
This project is for the enhancement of primary health care to strengthen healthcare and prevention, formulation of policies in that regard and capacity building in the Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Central Provinces.
Accordingly, the proposal made by Ranil Wickremasinghe, the former Prime Minister in his capacity as the then Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs in 2018, to enter into the necessary agreements to secure the relevant funds, was approved by the Cabinet of the previous regime.
With the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and the surfacing of new variants, Sri Lanka had to face shortages of medical resources, including hospital beds and medical equipment.
Under the present pandemic situation the project also provided crucial resources for the immediate emergency response to the corona virus disease since March–April 2020.
The COVID-19 reallocation budget had been prepared by the Health Ministry in addition to HESP’s general estimates as an additional investment
had to be utilised to improve the efficiency and equity of health care in Sri Lanka and expand access to primary and secondary level of health services during the pandemic period.
This COVID-19 reallocation budget relating to emergency response activities paved the way for improper prioritisation of procurement, under-utilisation of allocated funds and accountability issues, the assessment report of the budget estimates revealed.
As stipulated in the report, it is evident that most of the project goals are lagging behind without completion.
Also, it demands thorough investigation and justifications for the deviations and inconsistencies from the original project allocations and government policies.
The vehicle budget estimated at $ 4.8 million (Rs. 1 billion) being allocated has been fully exhausted amidst vehicle import restrictions imposed by the government.
There is no indication whatsoever in the HSEP progress report as to who has authorised and for what purpose such amounts are spent instead of purchasing vehicles when the country is facing difficulties to keep the basic and fundamental health care services operational.
According to the reallocation budget, there was an increase of equipment and furniture estimated at Rs. 19 billion from the previous allocation of Rs. 9 billion estimated in the original budget.
Procurement of reagents and consumables for COVID-19 (TRPCR test) under Contract awarded stipulates a massive amount of Rs. 112 Million.
This matter needs to be investigated and explained as to what has been purchased at what cost and whether such purchased pricing is as per market acceptable pricing, official sources said.
It has been observed further that a next Generation Genetic Sequencer which had been purchased at a colossal amount of Rs. 90 million some time back is still lying in boxes at Apeksha Hospital without being utilised due to incompleteness of ancillary equipment, computational systems and trained personnel to operate these complex medical systems.
State Minister of Organic Fertilizer Shashindra Rajapaksa says that the shortage of vegetables in the country will be resolved within two months.
“There is a problem with the fertiizer that came from the Chinese ship. That’s why it was returned. According to our standards, the fertilizer will be re-produced and given back to us. We have to pay when it is delivered.
Q. Does that mean this money is not going to be wasted?
“No, no. Not wasted at all!”
Q. There are no vegetables in the country now. And there is no money to import?
“Ask me that question in two months… then I will answer it”
Shashindra Rajapaksa stated this addressing a media briefing held in Badulla yesterday (20).
A protest was held in Mullaitivu today, demanding justice after a 13-year-old Tamil girl was found dead last week.
The child, who has been identified as 13-year-old Yogarasa Nidarshana, was discovered in a dilapidated plot of land just a few hundred meters from her family home.
According to an autopsy carried out on her body, her body had signs of injuries to her genitals. It also revealed that she was approximately 2 months pregnant at the time.
Her mother had filed a complaint at the Sri Lankan police station in Puthukkudiyiruppu, after Nidarshana had gone missing on the 15th of December.
The latest reports from Mullaitivu indicate that a relative of Nidarshana has been arrested in connection with her death.
Protestors in Mullaitivu highlighted instances of violence against women and children, and demanded justice for her death.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has taken steps to increase fuel prices with effect from 12.00 midnight yesterday (20).
Accordingly, the price of 92 octane petrol has been increased by Rs. 20 per liter. Its new price is 177 rupees, up from 157 rupees previously.
The price of 95 octane petrol has been increased by Rs. 23 per liter. Its new price is 207 rupees, up from 184 rupees.
Also, the price of a liter of auto diesel has been increased by 10 rupees from 111 rupees to 121 rupees.
The price of a liter of premium diesel has been increased by 15 rupees. Its new price is 159 rupees, up from 144 rupees previously.
In addition, the price of kerosene has been increased. Accordingly, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announces that the new price of a liter of kerosene oil which was 77 rupees will be 87 rupees.
Three days ago, Lanka News Web reported that the government was preparing to increase fuel prices, but the Minister in charge of the subject, Udaya Gammanpila, had issued a statement denying this. But now the news has been confirmed.
