&nbsp;<ul><li>Doctors warn action may continue if talks are delayed</li></ul> The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has given Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa until 8.00 a.m. today (06) to initiate discussions on ending their ongoing strike.&nbsp;Speaking to the media yesterday (5), GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said the association decided to set the deadline due to the Minister’s reluctance to engage in discussions on the issues raised by doctors.He said the continuation of the strike would depend on the Minister’s response, adding the association was prepared to take further decisions based on developments.Dr. Sugathadasa warned that delays in resolving the dispute would ultimately affect patients seeking treatment. “We have already informed the Health Minister not to inconvenience patients. People are unable to receive proper medical services because the Minister is delaying decisions. If he agrees to come to the negotiating table, we can immediately consider whether to withdraw the trade union action,” he said.He added that the GMOA has delegated authority to its Executive Council to take further decisions regarding the strike.The strike launched by Government doctors in protest against the alleged politicisation of post-internship appointments and doctor transfers continued yesterday. Patients visiting government hospitals across the country, including the National Hospital in Colombo, experienced considerable difficulties, except for emergency and essential treatment services.The GMOA had earlier resumed token strike action from 8.00 a.m. yesterday following unresolved concerns over alleged irregular transfers and post-internship appointments.Meanwhile, the Health Minister said that all arrangements have been made to issue the first appointments to post-internship doctors — a key demand of the striking doctors — before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.In the wake of Dr. Jayatissa stating the dispute over post-intern appointments had been resolved, the GMOA alleged that junior doctors had submitted applications under pressure and threats from authorities.Dr. Sugathadasa claimed that doctors eligible to apply for vacancies were subjected to intimidation, including threats of termination from public service, suspension of salaries and eviction from official quarters.He said professionals prefer to resolve disputes through dialogue but accused the Minister of avoiding meaningful engagement.However, Minister Jayatissa maintained the transfers were carried out legally and described the strike as unacceptable.He said the Government has the capacity to resolve the remaining issues and added that several concerns raised by the GMOA have already been addressed, with further solutions to follow.According to the Minister, out of 453 eligible doctors, 435 have submitted applications for post-intern appointments, and the final list is currently being prepared.

To Initiate Discussions: GMOA gives Minister ultimatum

<ul><li>Bowser supply planned for Rukmalgama housing scheme</li></ul> The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has reduced the duration of scheduled water cuts in several areas of Colombo to 12 hours, stating that technical issues affecting pipelines in low-pressure areas have now been resolved.&nbsp;The Board has also planned to provide water to the Rukmalgama Housing Scheme in Kottawa using bowsers if required.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (5), NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said the decision to shorten water cut hours followed the rectification of malfunctions in several pipelines and was not linked to any changes in weather forecasts. “The Department of Meteorology warned us earlier about reduced rainfall, and those forecasts remain unchanged. Therefore, the reduction in water cut hours is not due to expectations of rain,” he said.He added that the Board has already taken steps to keep water bowsers on standby to meet possible shortages. “At present, only the Rukmalgama Housing Scheme has been identified as needing water supplied through bowsers. No other areas have been identified for such arrangements so far,” he said.The NWSDB initially announced 24-hour water cuts on 2 April for several areas in the Colombo District, including Padukka, Homagama and Pelanwatta, citing prolonged dry weather. The scheduled cuts were later reduced to 18 hours on 3 April, and further shortened to between eight and 12 hours on 4 April.&nbsp;

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces water interruption time

The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) stated the silence of health authorities regarding the Ondansetron and other withdrawn vaccines suspected to have caused deaths in several hospitals during the latter half of last year (2025) has raised serious suspicion.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (5), MCPA President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa claimed the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had stated that initial tests conducted at the National Hospital in Kandy detected bacterial toxins in the vaccine batches. However, he said that health authorities had thus far failed to disclose the relevant international reports related to the issue. "It has now been more than six months since nearly ten batches of vaccines, including Ondansetron, were temporarily withdrawn from use. However, the NMRA and the Health Ministry have yet to announce the outcome of the relevant international tests," he said, alleging that the authorities have taken a lethargic approach despite a Supreme Court ruling that administering medicines to patients without ensuring their quality and safety amounts to a violation of fundamental rights.Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe was not available for comment.&nbsp;Late last year, the NMRA ordered the immediate withdrawal of 10 injectable medicines used in hospital settings following reports of adverse drug reactions and concerns over product quality. The medicines withdrawn included Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL; Cefotaxime Sodium for Injection BP 1,000 mg; Co-amoxiclav for Injection BP 1.2 g and 600 mg; Haloperidol Injection BP 5 mg/mL; Imipenem and Cilastatin for Injection 1 g (500 mg/500 mg); Iron Sucrose Injection USP 100 mg/5 mL; Meropenem for Injection USP 1 g; Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection USP 4.5 g; and Sulbactam and Cefoperazone for Injection 1 g.

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA questions authorities' silence

<ul><li>Nearly 17,000 active disappearance cases still under review</li></ul> The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has recommended the issuance of 2,716 Certificates of Absence (CoA) to the Registrar General’s Department for families of missing persons, even as civil registration services continue to face disruptions following a recent operational breakdown.OMP Chairman Mahesh Katulanda told The Daily Morning the office has so far issued 278 CoAs and 57 Certificates of Death (CoD), while forwarding recommendations for 2,716 additional CoAs to the Registrar General’s Department. He said the OMP is currently handling 16,988 active cases of forcibly disappeared civilians, while assistance has already been extended to about 6,700 families.According to Katulanda, the CA allows relatives of missing or disappeared persons to exercise certain legal rights on their behalf, including access to welfare benefits and other administrative services.He clarified that obtaining a CoA does not hinder or terminate ongoing investigations into the whereabouts of missing persons.Katulanda further noted that recommendations have also been made to issue another 464 Certificates of Death. “We have issued the necessary recommendations to the Registrar General’s Department, and they are currently processing the relevant documents,” he said.The OMP was established under Act No. 14 of 2016 to address cases of enforced disappearances. Since the end of the civil war in 2009, the office has received more than 23,000 complaints. After removing duplicate and multiple entries, the number has been revised to around 20,730 cases.

Missing Persons: OMP recommends 2,716 CoAs for families 

The SJB will decide its official position today (6) regarding Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa’s attendance at the launch of former Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila’s book on Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019.Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (5), SJB National Organiser and former MP Tissa Attanayaka confirmed that Premadasa attended the launch, but said the move should not be interpreted as support for any political position connected to the event.&nbsp;He said the focus of the event itself had been overshadowed by debate over Premadasa’s presence. “The main interest of everyone is to identify the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Following an invitation from Gammanpila, Premadasa attended the event out of general interest and not for political reasons,” he said. Attanayaka added that views within the party differ regarding Premadasa’s attendance, and the matter would be discussed at today’s management meeting before a final decision is announced.The book, titled Searching for the Mastermind behind the Easter Sunday Attacks, was launched on 31 March.Several political figures attended the launch, including former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Premadasa, MP Namal Rajapaksa, and a number of retired military officials.However, several SJB MPs have disputed reports that Premadasa attended the event, triggering internal discussion within the party over how to respond.

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book Launch: SJB to decide stance

Fuel price increases have already begun to hurt industries across the country, the Electricity Consumers' Association (ECA) claimed, urging the Ministry of Energy to urgently review the decision and provide relief to the manufacturing sector.Speaking ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika said the recent increase in the prices of diesel, super diesel and kerosene used in factories has directly affected multiple industries. He said these fuels are essential components of factory operations and are particularly necessary for operating generators during electricity breakdowns."This decision is already contributing to increases in the prices of essential goods, the closure of small and medium-scale industries, a decline in employment opportunities, and reduced competitiveness in the export sector. For instance, rural industries and self-employed individuals who depend heavily on kerosene are among the worst affected," he said.&nbsp;He added that with both production and transportation costs rising alongside the recent increase in electricity tariffs for the industrial sector, inflation is accelerating and the burden ultimately falls on the public. "Increasing both fuel prices and electricity tariffs amounts to punishing those who voted for the Government. The Government should reconsider this decision and introduce a practical solution to protect industries," said Dhammika.&nbsp;Speaking further, he said industrial fuels that were previously refined locally are now being imported from foreign markets, particularly from Europe. "This situation is a serious failure in fuel management and energy policies. If this continues, existing refining facilities in the country could become completely inoperative."The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announced a revision of fuel prices effective from midnight on 21 March, marking the latest in a series of increases in recent weeks. Under the revision, the price of 92 Octane petrol increased by Rs. 75 to Rs. 375 per litre, while 95 Octane petrol rose by Rs. 95 to Rs. 450 per litre. Auto diesel increased by Rs. 75 to Rs. 350 per litre, and Super Diesel rose by Rs. 80 to Rs. 420 per litre.

Fuel price hike: ECA urges relief for industries

<ul><li>Fuel distribution not affected; PDA</li></ul>Fuel station owners across Sri Lanka will hold a silent protest today (6) at 9.30 a.m. in front of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the Petroleum Distributors Association (PDA) stated.&nbsp;PDA Executive Committee member D.V. Shantha Silva said the protest is a response to unresolved operational issues affecting fuel stations and the general public.“The odd-even fuel distribution system currently in place has created significant difficulties for filling station employees and customers. When the system was first introduced in 2022, the QR mechanism was not in use. Now that both QR and the odd-even system are operating, the public is facing many inconveniences.”He also noted that under the existing fuel price formula, CPC and other state corporations receive a 6% operating profit, while fuel stations previously earned a 3% dividend. The new CPC management has reportedly removed that dividend. Silva further said delays and failures in scheduled diesel and petrol deliveries had further disrupted station operations. “District representatives of the PDA met on 30 March and sent a letter requesting a meeting with the CPC. Since no response was received, we have decided to hold this silent protest,” he said.He also said that fuel distribution would not be affected by the protest. “We will ensure all necessary measures are taken to maintain operations. The protest will proceed only after arrangements for uninterrupted supply are in place,” he said.The CPC introduced the odd-even system on 18 March to manage demand. However, storage shortages at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals, combined with disruptions in global supply chains and banking logistics, have caused delays in fuel deliveries despite sufficient confirmed stocks.

Fuel station owners to protest today

<ul><li>Opposition Leader calls for accountability, truth, and unity while honouring victims of the 2019 attacks</li></ul>Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said it is a grave failure on Sri Lanka’s part as a Nation that both past and present Governments have been unable to deliver justice to the victims of the Easter Sunday suicide attacks seven years ago.Issuing his Easter message, he highlighted the pain and trauma caused by the 21 April 2019 attacks, which targeted churches and hotels across the country. “The painful memory of these attacks continues to linger in our hearts. Ensuring justice for the victims and uncovering the truth remains a fundamental responsibility of the state. This duty cannot be avoided.”He emphasised the importance of upholding the rule of law, accountability, and transparency to fulfill this responsibility. "It is a grave failure on our part as a Nation that past and present Governments have been unable to deliver justice to those who were killed, injured, or lost their loved ones in the devastating attacks of April 21, 2019." On 21 April 2019 Easter Sunday, three churches and three luxury hotels in Colombo were targeted in a series of co-ordinated suicide bombings. Later that day, another two bomb explosions took place at a house in Dematagoda and the Tropical Inn Lodge in Dehiwala. More than 270 people excluding the bombers were killed in the bombings, including about 45 foreign nationals, while at least 500 were injured.

Easter Sunday Terror Attacks - 2019: Failure to deliver justice a grave failure - Sajith

<ul><li> China to send refined fuel shipment</li></ul>Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday (5) that nine fuel ships were scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka during April.He made the remarks while addressing a public meeting in Matara.&nbsp;Herath said the Government has managed the energy crisis that emerged following the outbreak of the Middle East war, and expressed confidence that temporary control measures introduced during the peak of the shortage may soon be phased out.He noted that Wednesday, which had been declared a public holiday to reduce fuel demand, could be restored as a regular working day in the near future. He also indicated that the QR system and the odd-even fuel distribution method could be removed once supply conditions improve further.“We introduced several urgent measures at that time. There were queues during the first two weeks. QR codes were introduced, odd-even numbers were used, and Wednesday was declared a holiday. These were immediate steps to manage the situation,” he said.Herath added that the delays were caused after several expected fuel shipments failed to arrive on schedule. “The ships that were expected said they could not come at once and supplies were delayed. That is why these measures were taken. But there is no need to worry now. Nine more ships are scheduled to arrive in April,” he said.Meanwhile, the Chinese Government has agreed to provide Sri Lanka with a shipment of refined fuel, according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).The CPC stated that a special discussion is scheduled to be held today (06) to finalise the arrangements related to the shipment.Officials said a final agreement is expected to be reached during the discussion regarding the type of fuel to be supplied and the expected arrival date of the vessel carrying the consignment.Further details are expected to be announced following the conclusion of the discussions.

To Initiate Discussions: GMOA gives Minister ultimatum

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces water interruption time

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces wa ...

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA questions authorities' silence

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA quest ...

Missing Persons: OMP recommends 2,716 CoAs for families

Missing Persons: OMP recommend ...

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book Launch: SJB to decide stance

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book L ...

Fuel price hike: ECA urges relief for industries

Fuel price hike: ECA urges rel ...

Fuel station owners to protest today

Fuel station owners to protest ...

Easter Sunday Terror Attacks - 2019: Failure to deliver justice a grav ...

Easter Sunday Terror Attacks - ...

Foreign Minister Says: Nine fuel ships due in April

Foreign Minister Says: Nine fu ...

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces water interruption time

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces wa ...

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA questions authorities' silence

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA quest ...

Missing Persons: OMP recommends 2,716 CoAs for families

Missing Persons: OMP recommend ...

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book Launch: SJB to decide stance

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book L ...

Fuel price hike: ECA urges relief for industries

Fuel price hike: ECA urges rel ...

Fuel station owners to protest today

Fuel station owners to protest ...

Easter Sunday Terror Attacks - 2019: Failure to deliver justice a grav ...

Easter Sunday Terror Attacks - ...

Foreign Minister Says: Nine fuel ships due in April

Foreign Minister Says: Nine fu ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces water interruption time

Water Supply: NWSDB reduces wa ...

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA questions authorities' silence

Withdrawn Vaccines: MCPA quest ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Missing Persons: OMP recommends 2,716 CoAs for families

Missing Persons: OMP recommend ...

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book Launch: SJB to decide stance

Premadasa at Gammanpila Book L ...

Fuel price hike: ECA urges relief for industries

Fuel price hike: ECA urges rel ...

Fuel station owners to protest today

Fuel station owners to protest ...