Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Threat of floods, landslides in Ratnapura district
The threats of floods and landslides in Ratnapura district increased with Avissawella and Hanwella receiving heavy rainfall yesterday.
The cities received rainfalls of 101.6 mm and 152 mm respectively during the last 24 hours. A landslide in the Hanwella Tea Factory buried a machine operator and damaged the factory machinery while Ratnapura District Secretary, Malini Premarathna said they were ready to face any emergency flood situation.
The authorities had already taken steps to evacuate villagers from possible landslide areas, she said.
Meanwhile flood threats are still looming over the Akuressa, Udugama, Neluwa and Hiniduma areas in the Galle district. The roads were still impassable in the Matugama, Baduraliya, Meegahatenna and Walalawita due to minor floods but the district secretariat reported the floods to be reducing.
Meanwhile the Meteorology Department yesterday predicted more rains in Colombo, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Kalutara and Kegalle districts.
" There is a high possibility of landslides in these districts as the rains followed the heavy drought," spokesman for Meteorology Department said warning the public of landslide prone areas to watch for early signs. (DTH&SDS)
The cities received rainfalls of 101.6 mm and 152 mm respectively during the last 24 hours. A landslide in the Hanwella Tea Factory buried a machine operator and damaged the factory machinery while Ratnapura District Secretary, Malini Premarathna said they were ready to face any emergency flood situation.
The authorities had already taken steps to evacuate villagers from possible landslide areas, she said.
Meanwhile flood threats are still looming over the Akuressa, Udugama, Neluwa and Hiniduma areas in the Galle district. The roads were still impassable in the Matugama, Baduraliya, Meegahatenna and Walalawita due to minor floods but the district secretariat reported the floods to be reducing.
Meanwhile the Meteorology Department yesterday predicted more rains in Colombo, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Kalutara and Kegalle districts.
" There is a high possibility of landslides in these districts as the rains followed the heavy drought," spokesman for Meteorology Department said warning the public of landslide prone areas to watch for early signs. (DTH&SDS)
Health sector privatisation on track says Trade Union Alliance
By Damitha Hemachandra
Condemning the recent trend of privatising most of the health sector related services Health Sector Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA) on Thursday alleged that the government was on its way to privatise the remaining part of the Health services.
Spokesman for HSTUA, Saman Rathnapriya said that the Health Ministry had already taken steps to privatise health related general services like security and sanitary services creating irregularities within the Hospital administration.
"Although the hospital administration takes steps to report the unsuitability of these service providers the contractors attempt to secure the tender by registering under different names," Rathnapriya said alleging irregularities when granting service tenders to private organisations.
HSTUA also pointed out that the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council had already taken steps to recruit the private sector individuals as health labourers and ambulance drivers.
The trade union alliance alleged that the government is on its way to privatise laboratory and diagnostic services by ignoring trade union demands and making space for continuous trade union actions.
" The Sri Lankan health sector is functioning under a heavy dearth of Laboratory and Diagnostic specialists," HSTUA pointed out adding that most of the services are provided through regular overtime done by the available staff.
"However the government had taken steps to privatise these services provided at a very low cost to the public without trying to recruit and train further specialists to fill the shortage," they said.
According to the HSTUA the Health Ministry is now paying Rs. 100-150 for a simple blood test, which earlier cost them only Rs. 22.50.
The HSTUA demanded the government to take immediate steps to improve the health sector services addressing the pharmaceutical shortage and dearth of staff without seeking to privatise 'one of the world's efficient health sectors, which provides best turn outs with minimum qualifications.'
Condemning the recent trend of privatising most of the health sector related services Health Sector Trade Union Alliance (HSTUA) on Thursday alleged that the government was on its way to privatise the remaining part of the Health services.
Spokesman for HSTUA, Saman Rathnapriya said that the Health Ministry had already taken steps to privatise health related general services like security and sanitary services creating irregularities within the Hospital administration.
"Although the hospital administration takes steps to report the unsuitability of these service providers the contractors attempt to secure the tender by registering under different names," Rathnapriya said alleging irregularities when granting service tenders to private organisations.
HSTUA also pointed out that the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council had already taken steps to recruit the private sector individuals as health labourers and ambulance drivers.
The trade union alliance alleged that the government is on its way to privatise laboratory and diagnostic services by ignoring trade union demands and making space for continuous trade union actions.
" The Sri Lankan health sector is functioning under a heavy dearth of Laboratory and Diagnostic specialists," HSTUA pointed out adding that most of the services are provided through regular overtime done by the available staff.
"However the government had taken steps to privatise these services provided at a very low cost to the public without trying to recruit and train further specialists to fill the shortage," they said.
According to the HSTUA the Health Ministry is now paying Rs. 100-150 for a simple blood test, which earlier cost them only Rs. 22.50.
The HSTUA demanded the government to take immediate steps to improve the health sector services addressing the pharmaceutical shortage and dearth of staff without seeking to privatise 'one of the world's efficient health sectors, which provides best turn outs with minimum qualifications.'
