India allows repayment of US$ 200 million loan in Lankan rupees

    Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Wednesday that the Governments of Sri Lanka and India have agreed that the drugs bought by Sri Lanka with an Indian loan of US$ 200 million, would be repaid in Sri Lankan rupees, given the shortage of dollars in the country. The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Health to immediately submit a document on essential drugs currently in short supply. It was  revealed that there is a shortage of 76 essential medicines at present The Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella stated that given the arrival of medicines and anesthetics provided by the French Government on Thursday it will be possible to run emergency operating theatres in the country continuously for 90 days. Meanwhile, the Drug Regulatory Authority is making prompt purchases of drugs.  An Independent Committee headed by the Minister of Health has been appointed to amend the Drugs Regulatory Authority Act. It was further revealed that local pharmaceutical suppliers have to pay Rs. 33 billion in arrears.