The programme to introduce Sri Lanka’s new permanent digital insurance card (e‑card) commenced with the distribution of 500 tablet devices to traffic police officers in the Western Province.

According to the Sri Lanka Police, the initiative aims to enable efficient access to the enhanced Sri Lanka Police Road Accident Data Management System and facilitating verification of the new e‑card.

The Police further said that, in addition, 150 tablet devices were symbolically handed over to selected police officers.

The initiative comes as the annual plastic insurance card currently issued by insurance companies to vehicle owners is set to be phased out, with the new digital system developed under the guidance of the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (IRCSL).

A special awareness programme was organized by the Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with the IRCSL to brief police officers engaged in roadside insurance verification, along with senior police officials, including Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya.

The event was held at the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs yesterday (07 Jan), with the participation of Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijeyapala, Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala, Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne, and IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya.

Delivering the keynote address, IRCSL Chairman Ajith Ravindra de Mel outlined the objectives and advantages of the new digital insurance system, stressing that it would help resolve longstanding issues in the insurance sector, including environmental pollution from discarded plastic cards, high financial costs of producing physical cards, and other operational challenges. (Newswire)

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A medical research team from the Faculty of Medicine at the Ragama Medical Faculty of the University of Kelaniya has developed a new drug to help control high blood pressure, university officials said.

The newly developed medication combines three types of antihypertensive drugs into a single tablet, replacing the commonly prescribed triple-pill regimen for hypertension patients.

According to clinical findings, the drug can reduce the risk of stroke caused by ruptured blood vessels due to high blood pressure by approximately 60 percent.

Neurologist Dr. Bimsara Senanayake, speaking at a media briefing, said the study showed significant potential in preventing recurrent strokes among patients suffering from hypertension-related complications.

“About 80 percent of stroke cases occur either due to blocked blood vessels or bleeding caused by ruptured arteries. Our research found that by effectively controlling blood pressure, this new medication can reduce the risk of recurrence by up to 60 percent,” Dr. Senanayake said.

Cardiologist Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe noted that around 35 percent of Sri Lankans between the ages of 30 and 80 suffer from high blood pressure, many of whom remain untreated or unaware of their condition.

“This new drug helps bring blood pressure under control quickly and maintains stability throughout the day, according to test results. It is an important breakthrough in preventing hypertension and related health risks,” Dr. Ranasinghe said. (Newswire)

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