&nbsp;<ul><li>Plantations and Community Infrastructure Min. claims renewed haste to allocate land to the estate community sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Farmers can obtain Dec. pensions until 31st from post offices/sub-post offices on any working day&nbsp;</li></ul> The Government plans to expedite the programme to provide plots of land to families living in estate housing, taking into account the difficulties faced by the&nbsp; estate community sector, particularly in the aftermath of recent natural disasters, stated the Plantations and Community Infrastructure Ministry. Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep said that the long-discussed proposal to allocate land to estate sector families has taken on a new urgency in the wake of the natural disasters, as well as the continuing hardships faced by the estate community sector. He said that discussions are now underway on providing each family with about 10 perches of land, though no final decision has been reached. “This matter has been under discussion for several years. Given the current situation, particularly after the recent disasters, we are keen to move ahead with the programme without further delay,” he said. Estate sector communities in Districts such as Kandy, Badulla, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya have been among the worst affected by recent natural disasters, including landslides, flooding, and adverse weather. Many families living in line rooms and vulnerable housing structures have subsequently suffered damage to their homes, loss of livelihoods, and displacement. During the previous Government, then Estate Infrastructure Minister, Jeevan Thondaman said that a programme would be launched to provide land to the plantation-based families after identifying suitable lands and eligible beneficiaries. He said that more than 200,000 families were expected to benefit, that a dedicated Secretariat would be established to coordinate the process, and that Rs. 4 billion had been allocated by the then Government for the initiative.Meanwhile, the Government has decided to extend the payment period for farmers’ pensions until 31 December. The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board announced that farmers can now collect their pension payments from the relevant post offices or sub-post offices on any working day throughout December. Under normal circumstances, pensions for farmers are disbursed between the 9th and 15th of each month. This extension has been granted in consideration of the transportation difficulties faced by pensioners due to damage to access roads leading to post offices caused by the cyclone. At present, 178,753 farmers and 6,312 fishers receive pension benefits. The Board further noted that a total of Rs. 413 million has been allocated for the payment of pensions for December.&nbsp;

Estate sector families: 10 perches per family in the pipeline 

<ul><li>Opposition to move at the meeting with the PM on 22 Dec.</li></ul> The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU), who were unable to proceed with their&nbsp; planned trade union (TU) action on 12 December against the proposed extension of school hours, due to the cyclonic disaster, stated they are reconsidering TU action when the new school term begins on 5 January of next year (2026). Speaking to The Daily Morning, the CTU President Priyantha Fernando said they were informed the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya was scheduled to meet the teachers unions representatives on 22 December, when the reforms will be discussed once again. He said they would use the meeting to reiterate their opposition to extend school hours until 2 p.m. He warned that if the authorities refuse to revise the plan, they would be left with no option but to resort to TU action when the schools reopen for the new term on 5 January 2026. “What we continue to say is that any education reform should be implemented within the existing school hours, from 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Extending the school time is not acceptable to us,” he added. The Education Ministry has however stated that recent disruptions caused by floods and landslides would not affect the rollout of the education reforms, which are due to begin in January. Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said on an earlier occasion that the reforms would be implemented exactly as planned, with all previously announced changes coming into effect when schools reopen in January and full implementation across the relevant grades by 22 January. The reform package includes an extension of the school day until 2 p.m., a one-week familiarisation programme for Grade Six students, and changes to the Ordinary Level (O/L) curriculum. Under the revised structure, the number of O/L subjects will be reduced to seven, with five core subjects — Mathematics, English, the Mother Tongue, Religion, and Science — and two subjects selected from streams such as Technology, Aesthetics, Management and Entrepreneurship, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Health and Physical Education. The daily timetable will be adjusted to seven teaching periods of 50 minutes each.

School hrs. extension: CTU to reconsider TU action early-Jan.

<ul><li>Responds to reports of adverse drug reactions including fatalities and quality concerns, NMQAL commences testing&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Drugs in question include Ondansetron, Cefotaxime Sodium, Co-amoxiclav, Haloperidol, Imipenem/Cilastatin, Iron Sucrose, Meropenem, Piperacillin and Tazobactam, Cefoperazone/Sulbactam </li></ul> The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has informed the local market authorisation holder to immediately withhold a total of 10 injectable medicines used in hospital settings, following reports of adverse drug reactions and concerns over product quality. In a letter dated Tuesday (16), marked very urgent, which was seen by The Daily Morning, the NMRA instructed that all parenteral products manufactured by the relevant Indian manufacturer be withheld from use as a precautionary measure, pending further investigations. The decision was said to be taken based on continuous adverse drug reaction reports received by the NMRA, including fatal reactions, and recommendations made in preliminary investigation reports by a consultant microbiologist attached to the Kandy National Hospital. The NMRA stated that relevant product testing at the National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory (NMQAL) has been initiated to assess the safety, quality, and efficacy of the medicines. The NMRA further directed that all listed products be withdrawn immediately from the entire private sector. The medicines ordered to be withheld include: the Ondansetron Injection US&nbsp; Pharmacopeia (USP) eight mg per four ml, commonly used to prevent nausea and vomiting; the Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection British Pharmacopeia (BP) 1,000 mg, a broad-spectrum antibiotic; Co-amoxiclav for Injection BP 1.2 g and 600 mg, used to treat bacterial infections; the Haloperidol Injection BP five mg/ml, prescribed for psychiatric and acute agitation-related conditions; Imipenem/Cilastatin for Injection one g (500 mg/500 mg), a high-end antibiotic used for severe infections; the Iron Sucrose Injection USP 100 mg/five ml, used in the treatment of iron deficiency anaemia; Meropenem for Injection USP one g, another critical-care antibiotic; Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection USP 4.5 g, used for serious bacterial infections; and Cefoperazone/Sulbactam for Injection one g, also an antibiotic combination. Commenting on the Ondansetron Injection withdrawal on an earlier occasion, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Media Committee Member, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said the withdrawal follows a preliminary inquiry after a number of patients developed adverse reactions following the administration of one of the drugs. He also said that such withdrawals are not unusual, noting that around 80 to 100 incidents involving drug-related concerns are reported annually, with medicines being withdrawn for various reasons. However, he stressed the importance of determining whether any quality issue originated during the manufacturing process or whether storage and transportation conditions may have affected the drug. “Normally, when a drug is imported, it undergoes laboratory testing by the NMRA. If that process was followed, it is important to know if these issues were not detected at that point,” he said. Commenting on reports that two patients who received the drug later died, Dr. Wijesinghe said that this has not been confirmed. “It has not yet been established whether the deaths were caused by the drug. A conclusion can only be reached after post-mortem reports are reviewed,” he said, and added that more than 250,000 doses of the drug in question were imported, and that over 220,000 doses have already been used, with the vast majority of patients showing no adverse effects. As such, he urged the public not to panic. He also renewed the GMOA's call for the establishment of a national quality regulatory laboratory in line with World Health Organisation standards, noting that no meaningful steps have been taken in that direction so far. It further urged the authorities to provide accurate and timely information to the public rather than withholding details, warning that transparency is key to maintaining public trust. Meanwhile, the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors organisation’s President, consultant/specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said that the decision to withdraw 10 injectable medicines with immediate effect was unprecedented in Sri Lanka. He said that the NMRA’s directive followed concerns over substandard quality and suspected allergic reactions linked to the drugs. Dr. Sanjeewa also pointed out that more than 100 batches of medicines imported from the same company have been temporarily or permanently withdrawn over the past two years due to quality issues. He accused the health authorities, including the Health Ministry, the drug regulatory system, and the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation, of failing to properly manage and regulate the country’s medicine supply. Attempts to contact the Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and the NMRA Chairperson Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama were unsuccessful.

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injectable meds 

The draft National Electricity Policy has been presented to the Energy Minister, engineer Kumara Jayakody. The draft was prepared by a committee appointed by the Cabinet of Ministers on the recommendation of Jayakody, for the purpose of formulating the said policy. The said Policy has been formulated in accordance with the Electricity Act, No. 14 of 2025. The draft policy is expected to be presented for public consultation in the future, after which it is expected to be adopted as the National Electricity Policy, the Energy Ministry stated.

Draft National Electricity Policy presented 

Officials of the Government Translators’ Service Union met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Premier’s Office to discuss several issues including salary concerns. Attention was drawn to the prevailing salary issues within the Service, including salary disparities between grades and existing vacancies. The Premier stated that several challenges had arisen due to previous Governments not implementing public service salary increases through a systematic and logical framework, and noted that discussions regarding salary disparities are currently underway. She further stated that a positive course of action is expected to be taken on this matter next year (2026).

Government translators raise salary issues

Police said that several complaints have been reported to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the circulation of counterfeit currency notes during the festive season. Accordingly, the Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and attorney F.U. Wootler stated that the public should remain vigilant about counterfeit notes when handling money. Most counterfeit cases involve Rs. 5,000 notes. “Last year (in 2024), 596 counterfeit Rs. 5,000 notes were taken into CID custody. This year (in 2025), 535 counterfeit Rs. 5,000 notes that were in circulation were taken into custody by the Police. In 2024, six counterfeit Rs. 2,000 notes were detected, while two were detected in 2025. In 2024, 561 counterfeit Rs. 1,000 notes were seized, and in 2025, 401 counterfeit Rs. 1,000 notes were detected. In 2024, 193 counterfeit Rs. 500 notes were found, while in 2025, 109 counterfeit Rs. 500 notes were detected.” Wootler urged the public to report all incidents related to counterfeit currency notes to the nearest Police station.

Counterfeit currency notes in circulation  

<ul><li>Badulla doc assaulted by 3-wheeler driver, empty bullet casings found at A’pura&nbsp;</li></ul> A doctor at the Badulla Teaching Hospital (TH) has reportedly been assaulted by a three-wheeler driver. The injured doctor has been admitted to the Hospital. Subsequently, doctors at the Hospital have launched a strike. According to reports, the incident occurred after the three-wheeler driver parked behind the said doctor’s vehicle, and when the doctor asked the driver to move the vehicle, the driver assaulted the doctor. The strike was expected to end at 4 p.m. yesterday (17).Doctors attached to the Anuradhapura TH have launched a strike, citing the lack of adequate security. Doctors engaged in the strike stated that several empty bullet casings were discovered within the premises of the Hospital three days ago, raising serious concerns regarding the safety of the medical staff. Accordingly, doctors at the Hospital commenced the strike action yesterday, demanding that appropriate security measures be implemented. However, the strike caused significant inconvenience to patients who arrived at the Hospital seeking medical treatment.

Strikes at 2 teaching hospitals over safety 

Investigations have been launched into a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows a man torturing and setting fire to a wild elephant in the Ambagahawala area of Seeppukulama, Mihintale, according to the Wildlife Conservation Department. Wildlife Conservation officers attached to the Anuradhapura Wildlife Sanctuary, including the Wildlife Conservation officer, are continuing investigations in collaboration with officers from the Military Intelligence to locate and arrest the suspect.Details surrounding the death of the elephant were scheduled to be presented to court yesterday (17).The deceased wild elephant was a male, aged between 50 and 55 years, measuring approximately nine feet in height. The elephant had previously been sighted in the same area suffering from a gunshot wound to its front left leg and had received treatment from officers of the Pandulagama Veterinary Office on 14 May, 4 June, and 3 July. Subsequently, Anuradhapura Wildlife Conservation officers received information that the elephant had been found lying on a plot of land in Ambagahawala, with burn injuries as well as gunshot wounds. Upon being informed, veterinary surgeon Udeshika Madhuwanthi and officials from the Pandulagama Veterinary Office arrived at the location and commenced treatment. Despite medical treatments, the wild elephant succumbed to its injuries on Tuesday (16).

Manhunt on for elephant arsonist 

The Yellow Anaconda hatchling which was reported missing from the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens recently, has been recovered. The hatchling was found inside an iron box within the Herpetarium of the Zoo, less than 24 hours after the Zookeeper in charge of the relevant section was interdicted in connection with its disappearance.The hatchling, measuring between 1.5 and two feet in length, was the only Yellow Anaconda in the Zoo. It was part of a group of six snakes belonging to four different species, which were seized by officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake from a woman attempting to smuggle them illegally into the country. The snakes were handed over to the Zoo on 15 September of this year (2025), for quarantine and care.A formal complaint regarding the disappearance of the hatchling was lodged with the Dehiwala Police on 7 December.&nbsp;The Zookeeper had initially claimed that the snake had escaped after the enclosure door was left open inadvertently. Despite an extensive search operation conducted over several days by the staff, the hatchling remained unaccounted for. Following a preliminary inquiry into the incident, the Zookeeper was suspended on 16 December. Subsequently, the hatchling was discovered safely inside an iron box located within the Reptilium.

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School hrs. extension: CTU to reconsider TU action early-Jan.

School hrs. extension: CTU to ...

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injectable meds

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injec ...

Draft National Electricity Policy presented

Draft National Electricity Pol ...

Government translators raise salary issues

Government translators raise s ...

Counterfeit currency notes in circulation

Counterfeit currency notes in ...

Strikes at 2 teaching hospitals over safety

Strikes at 2 teaching hospital ...

Manhunt on for elephant arsonist

Manhunt on for elephant arsoni ...

Yellow Anaconda found inside Zoo Herpetarium box

Yellow Anaconda found inside Z ...

School hrs. extension: CTU to reconsider TU action early-Jan.

School hrs. extension: CTU to ...

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injectable meds

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injec ...

Draft National Electricity Policy presented

Draft National Electricity Pol ...

Government translators raise salary issues

Government translators raise s ...

Counterfeit currency notes in circulation

Counterfeit currency notes in ...

Strikes at 2 teaching hospitals over safety

Strikes at 2 teaching hospital ...

Manhunt on for elephant arsonist

Manhunt on for elephant arsoni ...

Yellow Anaconda found inside Zoo Herpetarium box

Yellow Anaconda found inside Z ...

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School hrs. extension: CTU to reconsider TU action early-Jan.

School hrs. extension: CTU to ...

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injectable meds

NMRA withdraws 10 Indian injec ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Draft National Electricity Policy presented

Draft National Electricity Pol ...

Government translators raise salary issues

Government translators raise s ...

Counterfeit currency notes in circulation

Counterfeit currency notes in ...

Strikes at 2 teaching hospitals over safety

Strikes at 2 teaching hospital ...