Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mizukoshi handed over JPY 800 million (USD 5.5 million) worth of medical equipment to the National Hospital in Sri Lanka (NHSL) and Ragama Teaching Hospital today (27).

The equipment was handed over in the presence of the Health Minister – Keheliya Rambukwella, to help establish a sustainable medical system adaptable to the current economic crisis and strengthen the readiness against COVID-19.

Japan has provided modern Japanese medical equipment including MRI, CT scanner, Angiography, central monitor, and bedside monitors. These items of equipment will also be utilized to inspect and treat people with chronic illnesses such as non-communicable diseases, which are serious challenges as the largest cause of death in Sri Lanka. The CT scanner is the first of its kind to be introduced at the National Hospital in Sri Lanka and installed in its newly established Open Patient Department, which can treat around 1,500 outpatients per day on average.

We hope that the new set of equipment will help to provide advanced and sustainable medical services to the people of Sri Lanka who are in need under the current unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic as well as grave economic predicament, the Japanese embassy says in a statement.

The Polhena Beach in Matara, which is one of the most famous beaches in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka due to its calm, shallow waters, has turned green of late, reports say.

Scientists of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) had run some tests today and said that this is due to an abnormal algae growth.

Senior Scientist of NARA, – Mr. Upul Liyanage has said : “With the activation of the monsoon, the nutrition levels in the sea change and it is normal to see an abnormal growth of algae populations with the change in nutrition levels. Yesterday, we had prevented the use of this beach. But it is safe to be used now as the situation has returned to normal. We hope to get samples for further tests and reveal reasons for this.”

(Photo : Ada / Video : Adaderana)

A petition has been submitted to filed before the Supreme Court, declaring that the new Inland Revenue Amendment Bill is unconstitutional.

The petition has been submitted by one U.S. Ranaweera, a resident of the Homagama area and cites the Attorney General as the respondent.

The petitioner claims that the new Act will impose an unpayable tax burden on the public and thereby the public will face a severe economic crisis. The petition also pointed out that this could also discourage sectors such as exports, local industries and development activities.