<ul><li>25,563 families affected in 7 Districts</li><li>Defence Ministry Circular issued on continued water supply </li><li>Daily water allocation hiked by 9 to 15 l for drinking, sanitation </li><li>324 water bowsers deployed </li></ul> The worsening drought around the country has left 81,605 people from 25,563 families across seven Districts facing the effects of water shortages, prompting the Defence Ministry to issue a circular to ensure uninterrupted and increased water supplies to drought-hit communities. A circular has been issued to ensure uninterrupted water supplies to areas affected by drought conditions that may arise due to future El Niño phenomena, Environment Minister Dr Dammika Patabendi said yesterday (20). Speaking at a media briefing held to raise awareness of the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon on Sri Lanka, he said the circular was issued by the Defence Ministry on 6 August.According to Dr Patabendi, the circular introduces necessary amendments to existing laws and regulations to facilitate faster and more convenient interventions to provide water facilities to communities in drought-affected areas. The measures are intended to strengthen preparedness and enable the authorities to respond more efficiently to water shortages that could arise from severe drought conditions associated with El Niño. He said the initiative forms part of efforts to prepare Sri Lanka for the potential impacts of future El Niño events and their consequences on water availability.More than 81,000 people have been affected by the prevailing dry weather conditions linked to the El Niño weather pattern, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre said yesterday.The Senior Assistant Secretary of the Centre, Prageeth Danansooriya, said that 81,605 people from 25,563 families in 22 Divisional Secretariat areas across seven Districts have been affected. Accordingly, the Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Badulla, Monaragala, Hambantota and Ratnapura Districts have been affected.Speaking at a media briefing on the El Niño phenomenon and its potential impact on Sri Lanka, Danansooriya said that necessary guidelines had already been issued to District Secretaries and Divisional Secretaries to provide relief to the affected communities.With drinking water shortages worsening in several areas, the Government has increased the daily water allocation for drinking and sanitation purposes from six litres (l) to 15 l per person. A total of 324 water bowsers are currently being deployed to supply water to the affected communities. Additional bowsers belonging to Local Authorities and the Security Forces will be deployed if required, officials said.A committee comprising the Divisional Secretary, the Medical Officer of Health, the Public Health Inspector and disaster relief officials has been authorised to determine water distribution requirements in each affected area.Rs. 4.8 billion has been allocated from the national Budget to provide relief for disasters caused by the prevailing dry conditions and possible heavy rainfall that could follow, Danansooriya said.Residents facing drinking water shortages have been advised to immediately inform their respective Grama Niladhari and seek the necessary assistance.“If there is a shortage of drivers and assistants, guidelines have been issued to recruit temporary staff as well,” he added.Danansooriya also noted that these funds would be used to cover necessary services, including the payment of wages for the deployed officials.&nbsp;

El Niño drought plagues 81,000 

The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union has decided to suspend all dengue control duties across the country from yesterday (20), in protest against the transfer of a senior health official at the Bandaranaike International Airport Health Office in Katunayake.Union General Secretary Chamil Muthukuda said the decision was taken by the Association’s Executive Committee at a meeting held on Wednesday night (19).The Union is protesting what it described as the arbitrary transfer of the senior-most Medical Officer of Health at the Airport Health Office.Muthukuda said the Union had also decided to conduct an island-wide token strike today (21) in protest against the transfer.He said further decisions on the continuation of the trade union action would be taken based on the response of the authorities.The action follows the transfer of a PHI who had provided a statement to the Health Ministry’s Investigation Unit regarding alleged fraud and corruption at the Airport Health Office.The Union claims that the transfer was carried out in violation of established administrative procedures.&nbsp;

Arbitrary transfer of senior health official: PHIs halt dengue control duties 

The Government is prepared to hold a referendum if the Supreme Court (SC) determines that one is required to pass the proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said.Speaking at a public gathering, Dr Jayatissa said the Government would abide by the SC’s determination on whether the proposed Amendment could be passed with a two-thirds majority in Parliament or whether it would also have to be put to a referendum.He said the SC’s decision was expected by late next month (September) or October.“By the end of September or around October, we will be ready to proceed according to whatever the SC decides. If a two-thirds majority in Parliament is required, we will proceed accordingly. If a referendum is required, we are ready for that as well,” Dr Jayatissa said.He maintained that the proposed Amendment had been introduced in the interests of the public and said the Government would continue with its reform agenda regardless of the constitutional process required.“This was brought forward for the people. A reform carried out for the people will definitely move forward,” he said.&nbsp;

SC determination on 22A: Govt ready to hold referendum if required 

Former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, were served indictments before the Colombo High Court yesterday (20) in connection with corruption allegations.Following the filing of the indictments, the High Court Judge ordered that both accused be released on bail.The indictments were filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.&nbsp;

Karannagoda, Yoshitha indicted 

<ul><li>Sajith blames Govt MPs ‘threats’ as spanner in the works </li><li>Govt queries Parliamentary procedures constitutes threat&nbsp;</li></ul> Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday (20) claimed that the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) had requested that a planned briefing for Parliamentarians on the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, which seeks to extend the retirement age of Superior Court Judges, be postponed due to the conduct and ‘threatening’ statements made by Government MPs in Parliament on Wednesday (19).The BASL had written to Premadasa on Wednesday, requesting that the proposed briefing for MPs on the extension of the retirement age of judges be postponed until the participation of both Government and Opposition MPs could be assured.Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Premadasa said there had been a threatening tone from the Government side during parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday and claimed that the BASL was justified in expressing its concerns.“The letter sent by the BASL is based on the discussion that took place in this Chamber on Wednesday. There was a threatening position from the Government side,” he said.He said some Government MPs who spoke in Parliament had adopted a particularly threatening tone and questioned whether BASL President, attorney-at-law Rajeev Amarasuriya, had the right to express his concerns when such a situation arose.“When there’s such a situation, does Amarasuriya not have the right to express what he feels?” he queried, adding that freedom of expression was a Fundamental Right guaranteed by the Constitution and could not be suppressed by any Executive authority or a two-thirds majority in Parliament.Premadasa said the BASL’s intervention should instead be viewed as an attempt to initiate a constructive discussion on the proposed 22nd Amendment concerning the retirement age of judges.“We should start this discussion. This is a good thing. What shouldn’t happen is threatening statements. We should facilitate this discussion,” he said.Chief Government Whip and Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa also spoke in Parliament and said there could be different views among MPs on the proposed 22nd Amendment, adding that Premadasa was free to meet Amarasuriya or representatives of the BASL at the Opposition Leader’s Office or elsewhere.He drew attention to Amarasuriya’s letter to Premadasa, saying that it described the Government side’s comments on parliamentary traditions and procedures as a threat.“We have to decide how appropriate it’s within the parliamentary tradition for the House Leader’s (Bimal Rathnayake) comments to be described as a threat,” Dr. Jayatissa said.In his letter, Amarasuriya said the briefing was an important and timely initiative given the national significance of the proposed Constitutional Amendment.The BASL said it had hoped that the issue would attract bipartisan consensus and provide MPs with an opportunity to understand and objectively consider concerns raised by the legal profession. However, referring to parliamentary proceedings on Wednesday, he said the Government’s position appeared to indicate that there was currently no consensus on the matter and that there was no apparent interest in providing Government MPs with an opportunity to participate in the briefing.The Opposition has already expressed opposition to the proposed Constitutional Amendment.According to the BASL, the briefing would have been particularly useful for Government MPs, enabling them to objectively consider the proposed changes and the concerns raised by the private and unofficial Bar.The BASL therefore requested Premadasa to take steps to postpone the briefing until the participation of both Government and Opposition MPs could be assured.The BASL also thanked Premadasa for proposing and following up on the briefing, describing the initiative as a progressive step in the ongoing Constitutional debate.According to Premadasa, the meeting to brief the MPs had been scheduled to be held yesterday at the Parliament Complex.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Lack of Govt participation: BASL postpones MPs briefing 

The Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal challenging a recent Colombo High Court ruling that charges filed under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) against alleged drug trafficker Harak Kata and several other defendants cannot be maintained.The matter was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Buddhika C Ragala yesterday (20), when a State Counsel appearing for the prosecution informed the Court the AG had filed an appeal against the earlier ruling.The appeal challenges the Court’s determination on the maintainability of charges brought under the PTA against Harak Kata and the other accused.The latest development follows the High Court’s recent ruling that the PTA charges against the defendants could not be maintained.&nbsp;

AG appeals Harak Kata ruling 

<ul><li>Says Muslim female health assistants would have to follow rules, regulations&nbsp;</li></ul> In the wake of the controversy at the Kalmunai North Base Hospital over several newly appointed female Muslim Health Assistants being prevented from assuming duties over their religious attire, Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said the officers would have to adhere to the Health Ministry’s approved uniform regulations until any changes to the existing rules are considered and formally approved. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (20), he said the Ministry has a Uniform Committee which approves the uniforms prescribed for each category of health worker, and that any change to an approved uniform must first be submitted to the said Committee for approval. "Uniforms in the health sector were introduced to make it easier for patients and members of the public to identify different categories of staff, and also with hygiene, patient care and infection control in mind. The existing system is based on a 2019 circular." He also said that uniform entitlements apply to several categories of health workers, including nursing officers, Public Health Midwives, Public Health Inspectors, Malaria and Filariasis Control Assistants, Public Health Field Officers, Entomology Assistants, School Dental Therapists, junior health staff and health assistants. "Those entitled to uniforms are also paid a uniform allowance. There is no provision to add parts to it or remove parts from it without the approval of the relevant Committee.” He added that he is pleased to see more young Muslim women joining the health service and acknowledged that they had their own cultural identity. However, he said that public servants are required to work within the rules and circulars governing the public service. “They have their own cultural identity. But, there are circulars, and we have to carry out public service duties according to those circulars,” he said. Dr Jayatissa said that the Government would consider whether changes should be made to the existing circular, adding that any such a change could be proposed either in Parliament or outside Parliament. As a temporary measure, he said that the affected officers have been attached to the nearest hospital until a solution to the issue is reached. “We will look at what changes, if any, need to be made to the circular in the future.” The controversy arose at the said Hospital after allegations that several newly appointed female Muslim Health Assistants were prevented from assuming their duties because of their religious attire. Five formal complaints have subsequently been lodged with the Kalmunai Regional Office of the Human Rights Commission, alleging that the staff members’ Fundamental Rights had been violated.

Kalmunai Hospital controversy: Health Minister reads riot act on uniform regulations 

Admitting that there is a temporary shortage of Filgrastim injections, which are used to help cancer patients recover their white blood cell counts following chemotherapy and are also required for procedures including bone marrow transplants, Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said that hospitals have been permitted to make local purchases and suppliers have been instructed to urgently bring stocks into the country by air freight. He made the remarks in response to a question raised by Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, following reports from patients and their families that Filgrastim is in short supply at Government hospitals, including the Apeksha Hospital (the National Cancer Institute). He said that Filgrastim is particularly important for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy because chemotherapy can reduce white blood cell counts and leave patients more vulnerable to infections. “Therefore, this medicine has to be given when necessary during chemotherapy. In some cases, having the chemotherapy drug alone is not of use if this medicine is not available.”&nbsp;He said that the shortage has existed in the Government hospitals since last month (July) due to delays in supplies from the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), and that hospitals that require the medicine had consequently been authorised to purchase it locally. The annual requirement for Filgrastim is around 300,000 vials, with approximately 27,500 required each month and around 900 per day. The Apeksha Hospital alone requires about 9,750 vials a month, or approximately 325 a day, he said. According to him, arrangements had been made to import 310,000 vials for this year (2026), while approval has already been granted to import 330,000 vials for next year (2027). He said that the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) had placed the order for the 2026 requirement on 21 January of last year (2025), around nine and a half months before the supplies were required, while the order for 2027 had been placed on 22 December 2025, more than 12 and a half months in advance. "Of the 310,000 vials ordered for 2026, the supplier brought 160,000 into Sri Lanka on 18 May. The consignment had been prepared for clearance and distribution when an issue was identified during inspection. The label was not properly placed on the syringes. There was a label on the cardboard packaging, but, there was no label on the syringes. This absence of the label amounted to a major deviation under the conditions imposed by the National Medicines Regulatory Authority." He said that the Government had subsequently instructed the supplier to urgently bring a quantity of the medicine by air freight, while the supplier responsible for the 2027 order had also been asked to expedite its delivery. “The supplier has been told to bring an urgent quantity by air. We have also informed the supplier for the 2027 requirement to provide the medicine as quickly as possible. We are working to find a solution to the shortage,” he said. Meanwhile, the shortage of several Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor medicines used in cancer treatment is expected to be resolved within a few days, the Director General of the MSD Dr Sampath Ranaweera told The Daily Morning yesterday (20). He said that there is currently a shortage of medicines including Neup, Neupogen, GCadF and Filgrastim, which are used in the treatment of cancer patients. “At the moment, there’s a shortage of the drugs. But, it’ll be resolved as early as possible,” Dr Ranaweera said. He said that orders had been placed with the SPC, but that the medicines had not yet been supplied.SPC Chairperson Dr Indika Wanninayake said that the 2026 consignment of Filgrastim had been delivered but was rejected by the MSD over a labelling issue, while the expedited 2027 stock is now on its way. He said that the SPC is the procurement agency for the MSD and that it had received the MSD’s requirement for Filgrastim for 2026 and 2027. “The 2026 order was delivered, but there was an issue with the labelling and the consignment was therefore rejected by the MSD. The 2027 stock is expedited and is now on the way. We have also issued the purchase order for the 2027 stock,” he said.

Cancer treatment: Suppliers told to import recovery jab urgently 

Dr Nanda Malini, who made an immeasurable contribution to Sri Lankan music, passed away yesterday (20). She was 82 years old. According to family sources, she passed away at her residence in Nawala.Born on 23 August, 1943, she displayed her talent for singing from a very young age. As a teenager, she moved to the Kotahena area of Colombo and enrolled at Sri Gunananda Vidyalaya. There, her singing talent was recognised by her teachers, whose guidance helped pave the way for her entry into the music industry.A teacher who noticed her talent at a competition introduced her to Lama Mandapaya, a popular radio programme hosted by Karunaratne Abeysekera. It was there that she sang Budu Saadu. a song that became immensely popular and opened a new chapter in her musical career.The guidance and support she later received from Sarath Wimalaweera of Radio Ceylon also played an important role in helping her career flourish. In 1961, production began on Ran Muthu Doowa, regarded as Sri Lanka's first colour film, with the music composed by Pandit W D Amaradeva.Dr Malini was given the opportunity to sing a duet with Narada Disasekara for the film. Her first film song was Galana Gangaki Jeevithe, which went on to become hugely popular.She subsequently appeared in popular musical programmes such as Pandit Amaradeva's Madhuwanthy, further establishing her reputation through songs including Sannaliyane and Ran Dahadiya Bindu Bindu. Her contribution extended far beyond love songs. She gifted Sri Lankan audiences a vast collection of religious songs, children's songs and socially conscious compositions. Over several decades, Dr Nanda Malini received numerous awards in recognition of her contribution to Sri Lankan music. She won 12 Sarasaviya Awards and 10 Presidential Awards as Best and Most Popular Female Singer.

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