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Pharmacists ‘sick’ campaign Work at government hospitals was disrupted yesterday following a ‘sick note’ campaign launched by pharmacists. Hospitals in the rural areas were the worst affected with patients forced to obtain the prescribed medicine from private pharmacies. All state-run hospitals in the country except the Colombo National Hospital, Eye Hospital and hospitals in the North and East were affected as a result of this protest campaign by the Society of Government Phamacists Union (SGPU). All external patients of these hospitals were directed to the Osusala dispensaries, where ever the facilities were available to obtain their medicine. The government hospitals that tried to obtain the services of dispensers to stand in for the pharmacists who had kept away from duty, suffered a further setback when government dispensers numbering around 500 staged a protest rally in Colombo against alleged interference by the pharmacists in their training. Minister of Health, Nimal Siripala de Silva lashed out at the pharmacists who he claimed, were holding the patients ‘hostage’ due to a change in the curriculum of the training of the dispensers who function under the pharmacists. The Minister told journalists at his Ministry yesterday that the health authorities were not informed by the SGPU of their demands. He said that the ministry had obtained the services of the dispensers in the absence of the pharmacists to prepare the medicine. The minister said that the decision to upgrade the dispensers training was taken after studying the requirements. He said that the trade unions cannot set out the criteria for training of dispensers. He assured that the duties of the dispensers will not undergo any change despite the upgrading of training. The pharmacists ‘sick note’ campaign is due to continue today as well with no settlement in sight as the health authorities claim that they were kept in the dark by the striking union. The SGPU is demanding the dismissal of a Health Ministry officer who they alleged had misappropriated millions of rupees. It’s also protesting against the changing of the roster for dispensers. The SGPU has called for the recruitment of qualified dispensers as pharmacists after proper training. GL off to S. Korea to attend UNDP conference Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs, Ethnic Affairs and National Integration and Deputy Minister of Finance, left late yesterday (28) for Seoul, South Korea. The Minister will attend the UNDP Regional Millennium Meeting co-hosted by the Korean Government, at the invitation of Nay Htun, Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Assistant Administrator-UNDP/Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. The participants — by invitation only and numbering around 150 — will be drawn from senior ministerial level in Government involved in all aspects of development policy, international organizations, academic and research NGOs, the corporate sector and senior UNDP officials. The general theme of the meeting will be ‘Increasing Equity and Sustainability in Asia and the Pacific’ in light of the challenges in the coming decade. The meeting will focus on four principal areas — globalization, governance, information and environment, an official news release stated. Attorney General Sarath Silva is expected to be present at today’s Cabinet news briefing to respond to charges made against him by the ‘Ravaya’, according to a press release of the ‘Ravaya’ newspaper. The AG will respond to queries in regard to three stories carried in the ‘Ravaya’ in connection with a Magistrate and charges of misconduct against the Attorney General", the release stated. Repeated attempts by ‘The Island’ to contact the Attorney General proved unfruitful yesterday. The Private Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Constitutional Affairs Kanchana Ratwatte declined to comment on the matter. Asked if it was the Minister who had requested the AG to be present at the press briefing, he said that it would have to be verified with the AG. Released soldier reveals LTTE lost 1000 Quoting LTTEers, a soldier recently released by the Tigers has said that almost 1000 cadres died in the assault on the Kilinochchi and Paranthan brigades last month. Lance Corporal K. A. P. Sampath who had been a Prisoner of War [POW] for five years was among four soldiers released by the LTTE last week. Talking to the press at the army headquarters last Monday [26], the 27 year old infantryman said that at first LTTEers were happy over the successful assault on the brigades, but later they were angry and upset. "Namuth pasuwa ovunge muhuna aduru una," lance corporal told the press.
Lance Corporal Sampath and other soldiers released from captivity said that LTTEers expressed their happiness when the Army suffered more losses than them in confrontations. They were worried when they lost large numbers. Lance Corporal Sampath said that they [LTTEers] were angry and worried after hearing about losing 900-1000 cadres during the attack on Kilinochchi. Their mood always gave away the actual losses they had suffered in the battlefield, released men said At the time of their release they had been held at Puthukudiyiruppu which is situated closer to Mullaithivu on the Paranthan-Mullaithivu road. Lance Corporal Sampath revealed the way one of his colleagues, Corporal Priyantha of the same battalion committed suicide after being hit during clashes. Corporal Priyantha exploded a hand grenade to avoid LTTE from capturing him alive. However, Sampath trying to getaway and join other troops battling enemy had been captured. Lance Corporal Sampath said that earlier the LTTE indicated that they [POWs] will be released if the government releases Uma, Marla and Kennedy. Uma and Marla were among an assault group sent to attack vessels at Kankesanthurai harbour a couple of years ago. They were members of elite suicide squad. Kennedy had been a member in an elite commando group sent to blow up aircraft and helicopters at Palaly airbase several years ago. However the government rejected the offer to exchange LTTE held POWs for Uma, Marla and Kennedy. Lance Corporal Sampath said that a senior LTTE leader, Karikalan [based in Batticaloa sometime ago] who visited their place of detention had said that they [LTTE] was willing to release POWs if the government hands over Uma, Marla and Kennedy. Lance Corporal Sampath and other released men claimed that they were not aware of reasons for their sudden release. He also revealed that LTTE’s deputy commander, Balraj had been wounded during the attack on Pooneryn. He said that Anton Balasingham had visited Balraj recovering at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. Lance Corporal Sampath had also been at the same hospital at that time. There was no evidence at that time to suggest that Balraj, one of the most experienced field commanders had been wounded in the Pooneryn battle. LTTE was very confident that the army will never be able to regain Mankulam junction. However after the army regained Mankulam, LTTEers had told POWs that they consider Kilinochchi as vital but not Mankulam. Earlier the Directorate of Military Intelligence [DMI] estimated that approximately 700 terrorists were killed during Kilinochchi and Paranthan battles. The military placed the number of dead and missing on their side at 1000. A senior army officer said that according to information provided by released POWs there was no doubt LTTE suffered heavy losses in the Kilinochchi-Paranthan confrontations. Meanwhile the Military Court of Inquiry on the Kilinochchi setback had returned to Colombo after completing investigations in the North. The General Officer Commanding [GOC] 54 Division, the Brigade Commander of the 54.3 Kilinochchi Brigade and the Brigade Commander of Paranthan Brigade were among approximately 40 personnel summoned by the Court of Inquiry. The four member Court which arrived in Elephant Pass mid September had returned to Colombo late last week. Major General Sathis Jayasundara headed the inquiry. Tamil families resettled in model village Six hundred Tamil families have been resettled at Malwatte resettlement model village in the Ampara district, a government spokesman said yesterday. Port Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Minister M. H. M. Ashraff will ceremonially declare open this village on November 2. Rs. 62 million had been spent on infrastructure facilities such as electricity, school buildings, roads, local government buildings, weaving centre, playground, Hindu temple, community centre, maternity ward and central dispensary, doctors and midwives quarters, public market, recreation facilities. UNICEF too has provided assistance, the spokesman said. Twenty seven resettlement model villages had been established already. Netherlands, Cuban and Burmese Ambassadors are expected to attend the event. Japanese, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNDP and WEP officials will also attend. [SF] 23 remanded over Passara incident Twenty three suspects including three females were produced before Badulla Magistrate M. C. B. S. Moraes on charges of torching the bungalow of Estate Superintendent, Passara, his jeep and a police jeep. They were ordered to be remanded till October 10. The suspects remanded were Ramiah Piyasena, Kandiah Udaya Saryan, Murugesu Kadiravel, Raman Malingam, Asirvathan Vivekanandan, Arumugam Ragu, Periyasamy Devaraj, Ramasamy Rajaratnam, Govindan Varatharaja, Velauthan Markandan, Anthonimuttu Lorence, Nadeshan Kommaniraja, Arulanathan Jesuraja, Kandiah Periyasamy, Selliah Inbaraja, Muthiah Kamalakumar, Arumugam Padmanathan, Sandanam Sheranraja, Sebestian Sandanam, Shanmugum Maheshwari, Mailvagnam Valarmathi and Selvaraja Saroja. Sandaman Andoi Swamy of the Ceylon Works Congress who was injured in the police shooting is warded at Badulla base hospital. Four soldiers and 13 terrorists were killed in clashes in the Wanni on Tuesday (27), operational headquarters spokesman told ‘The Island’ yesterday. He said that the soldiers died at Paranthan when they were caught in a mortar attack. Two soldiers had been wounded. He said that terrorists died in confrontations at Vannivilankulam, west off Paranthan, south west of Paranthan and Paranthan. Sunken ship still not removed from Jaya Terminal International shipping companies are being denied the use of the berth at the Jaya Container Terminal as it was blocked by a half-sunken ship last month. The ship has still not been salvaged, a Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) source told ‘The Island’. Master Divers, which has been given the contract to salvage the vessel, has still not been able to clear the berth, he said. Vice Chairman of Master Divers, Ruwan Wickramanayake, confirmed that although the vessel is ‘upright’ (it was earlier lying on its side) it has ‘not been refloated’. Master Divers earlier said the berth would be free two weeks ago. Mr. Wickramanayake said the delay is in retrieving cargo from inside the vessel. He said most of the cargo is damaged and predicted that the berth should be cleared by Sunday or Monday. The German vessel, M. V. Leerort, sank on September 19 when an Israeli vessel rammed into it while it was berthed at the Jaya Container Terminal. The half-sunk vessel blocks a 50-metre stretch at the JCT. The source at the SLPA said, "Salvage work is progressing very slowly". (NW) Bail refused for suspects in Rs. 500 counterfeit notes case Kandy: The Kandy Chief Magistrate Mrs. D. C. Mirinchiarachchi on Wednesday, refused bail for the three suspects who were remanded in connection with the printing of counterfeit currency notes of the Rs. 500 denomination. The suspects Narampane Dhammaratana incumbent of Debaralawa Vihare, Janaka Kumara Abeykoon and W. M. Ranaweera Bandara were further remanded till October 30 by Mrs. Mirinchiarachchi. During a dawn raid on the temple on October 17 by the Central Range Vice Branch led by SI, Jayasiri Amarasinghe the suspects were arrested with a haul of counterfeit currency notes to the value of Rs. 60,000 with a set of computers allegedly used for the printing of the faked currency notes. The police objected to allowing bail for the three suspects. Island correspondent too among them The Sri Lanka Muslim Media Forum (SLMMF), on Saturday honoured eleven distinguished personalities for their invaluable services to the country and community at its annual convention held at Hotel Ranmuthu. Among those honoured was senior journalist and "The Island" correspondent Mervyn de Silva for his unbiased writings on various subjects both locally and internationally over the last thirty years. The others who were honoured were Prof. J. B. Dissanayake for his pioneering work in establishing the Colombo University Diploma in Journalism Course. P. Balasingham for his services to the Muslim community in the field of journalism over a quarter century. Retired DIG M. S. M. Nizam who was in the forefront against child abuse and drugs. S. M. Mansoor for his contributions to Islam and Sinhala medium Muslim students. M. H. Kudhoos Marikar for his services to the country and the community in the field of Mass Media A. L. M. Kiyas for the services rendered to the country especially through his writings under the pen name " Sayik". M. A. Abdul Hassan for his contributions in the field of journalism and broadcasting for over 25 years. Aliyar Rasheed for his services in the field of journalism for nearly three decades and Hashim Omar for his unstinted support to journalists, writers and artistes. The Chief Guest ,Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris commended the SLMMF for basing its honours list purely on merit. " You have honoured those who deserve honour, and in doing so you have disregarded other factors such as race and religion". He told the large gathering which included Ministers , Parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps. Minister Peiris said that the SLMMF has a vital role to play in the context of the problems facing our people. "You have a duty to instill the right values in our people and bring about the notion that unity is strength. National integration is the need of the hour. I exhort you to redouble your efforts. Spare no effort". General Secretary of the SLMMF N. M. Ameen said the need for an organisation such as the SLMMF, arose due to a relentless campaign by certain sections of the media both here and abroad to distort Islamic teachings and also discredit Muslims. The guest lecture entitled " The Role of the Media in a Multi-Cultural Society" was delivered by Sarath Amunugama MP. The occasion also marked the release of a media directory. KFC’s new outlet at Union Place
open on Thursday KFC’s new outlet at Union Place will open to the public from Thursday(29), and promises to deliver the same selection of finger lickin’ feasts of fast food which is now becoming the food of choice. The outlet will be more accessible with easy parking facilities and menus to suit the busy lives of office wokers, said Restaurant Manager, Lalin Ratwatta. The restaurant will cater to all sections of society adhering to international recipes that will dish out freshly prepared, succulent Halal chicken in a crisp coating enriched with Colonel’s original recipe, a secret blend of herbs and spices will be available in minutes. The lunch time special of chicken with savoury rice and gravy prepared to an international recipe at Rs. 88 is also one of the latest additions introduced with the intention of localising the menu to meet the customers requirements. Milk Shakes in three flavours of vanilla, strawberry and banana will be the latest addition to the menu. ‘Chicky’ the cuddly dancing bird will be there to welcome the kids, to organise games and presents and treats and join in the fun lined up for them. The restaurant has spent a lot of attention and time to the kids to make their visits memorable. Special kids meals which come with special surprises and a special play area has been designed for them to have their parties, to take a ride on the train seater. The Majestic City outlet has over the years been a popular dining outlet and the management hopes to cater to the increasing demand with the new outlet. KFC which is one of the largest global fast food franchises currently operating in Sri Lanka, is a part of the successful multi-billion dollar worldwide enterprise. A product of the post-war American dream, KFC grew from Colonel Saunders tiny Kentucky service station to a successful multi-billion dollar worldwide enterprise. KFC in Sri Lanka uses locally produced raw material, adheres to international guideline and adapt to local tastes. This rapidly growing sector of the hospitality industry thrives on offering customers a quick, well packaged change from traditional eastern rice and curry type meals. Action plan on Elephant management and
conservation Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Plantation Industries Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, has directed the preparation of a action plan on Elephant Management and Conservation, a spokesman for the Ministry told "The Island" yesterday (27). The proposed action plan to function as a base for a national policy on elephant management follows recommendations to the effect, by the Indian consultant on elephant management, Ajay Desai, who handed over his recommendations to Minister Wickramanayake last month. Following the Ministerial directive, it is further proposed to appoint a Ministerial Sub Committee comprising officials of the Department of Wild Life Conservation, members of Non Governmental Organizations active in elephant conservation, professionals attached to universities, scientists and officials of the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Plantation Industries for the preparation of an action plan. Ajay Desai in his recommendations for a Global Environment Facility (a UN affiliate) project for the Department of Wild Life,cites the lack of a "consistent and clear policy, a well reasoned out strategy and a well planned, sustained program" as the cause for the increased threat to the elephant habitat in Sri Lanka. He further charges that despite the "diversion of elephant habitat for human use been well recognized as being the major threat to elephant conservation," a number of critical issues that needed to be addressed in view of the situation failed to be "addressed in any significant plan or way". He cites the habitat loss and fragmentation, mitigation of the human elephant conflict and acquiring baseline data for information based management planning as the issues failing to receive such attention. "The main reasons for this is the lack of institutional strength, a severe staff shortage organized information and decision making systems and equipment. The lack of professional capacity, which resulted in the department not having a proper policy supported by practical management plans. Management was largely done on an ad hoc basis and the lack of baseline information to support management planning," he adds. Desai further adds that there is a need to define a network of protected areas including forest reserves and multiple use areas for the long term conservation of the elephant and the need to identify those factors that contribute to escalation of human elephant conflict, evaluate the current conflict management techniques with the objective of suggesting plans for more effective conflict management and monitoring. He further comments on a need to gather baseline data on elephants on ecology, behavior and conflict. "The lack of a firm and urgent policy approach for elephant conservation and management of conflict is a cause for concern. In the absence of such a policy all management will be done on an ad hoc basis with scant regard for long term consequences," he adds. He also recommends the development of a strategy to manage habitat, population and conflict for those elephants outside the protected areas but living in fairly large tracts of forest and not in severe conflict with the human population. "Such a national policy will enable managers to priorotise areas that need to be secured for conservation and those that need to be managed for conflict, "Desai further adds. It is reported that the current elephant population of the country has decreased to a mere 2000-2500 elephants. |
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