President calls for program to update public on waste categorisation

President Maithripala Sirisena has issued instructions to relevant officials to implement a broad program on the categorisation of waste in order to apprise the public on this topic.

He gave these instructions during a discussion on streamlining waste management held at the Presidential Secretariat this week. At this meeting, the President inquired about the progress of the programs being implemented countrywide on waste management.

The President instructed the IGP to take stern legal action against those who obstruct garbage disposal at sites selected by Local Government authorities, and further instructed to strengthen the Environmental Police.

President Sirisena said that the Government will provide Rs. 2 billion this year to build a waste disposal system at Aruwakkalu in Puttalam.

The President instructed the Environmental Police to submit a daily report on improper garbage disposal on roadsides.

Ministers Patali Champika Ranawaka, Vajira Abeywardena, Secretary to the Minister of Defence Karunasena Hetthiarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Provincial Council and Local Government Kamal Padmasiri, Western Province Chief Secretary Daya Senarath, Tri Forces’ Commanders and the Inspector General of Police took part in the meeting.

New dengue treatment units at several hospitals 

As the Infectious Disease Hospital is full with dengue patients, the Health Ministry has taken steps to establish dengue treatment units at several different hospitals, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.

Accordingly, dengue treatment units will be in operation at the Colombo National Hospital, Colombo North and Colombo South Teaching Hospitals.

As a means to treat the increasing number of dengue patients, the Minister has instructed the Health Services Director General to affiliate the Thalangama, Piliyandala and Wethara regional hospitals to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) and the Kalubowila Colombo South Teaching Hospital.

Currently, there are over 450 dengue patients receiving treatment at the IDH and the Ministry has made arrangements to immediately purchase 200 more beds to the hospital, the Minister said.

Dengue Fever is fast spreading in Sri Lanka this year reaching an epidemic level. According to the epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry, so far this year, 62,857 suspected dengue cases and 177 deaths have been reported from all over the island. Approximately, 43% of dengue cases were reported from the Western province.