No wheat at hospitals

1 November 2010 06:43 am - 113 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Bread, buns, cake and other food items made using wheat flour have been barred from all government hospital canteens with immediate effect.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has taken this decision to discourage the consumption of food items made of wheat flour, a ministry spokesman said today. (SAJ)

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Comments - 113

Hisham Monday, 01 November 2010 06:49 AM

Aiyo what happends to Malu Paan, A good old Malu Paan will be missed by one and all, maybe some items should allowed, like Kibula Bunis, Malu Pan, Pol Roti with lunu Miris

sltk2004 Monday, 01 November 2010 06:50 AM

It would be a lot easier to totally ban the import of wheat flour rather than implementing bans at different levels...

Oyage Podi Guru Monday, 01 November 2010 06:50 AM

This seems to be a rather drastic decision. Cakes, for example, are very difficult if not impossible to make without a measure of wheat flour.

kumar Monday, 01 November 2010 06:53 AM

great news.eat more rice.

PATRICK Monday, 01 November 2010 06:55 AM

Why doesn't the Minister ban these items in the Parliament canteen as well and all state functions.

Fair n Square Monday, 01 November 2010 06:59 AM

where is the commercial attache of the US embassy? he's sure to be fired for not doing his homework LOL

MW Monday, 01 November 2010 07:04 AM

Whats happening to:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of media
Freedom of eating
Freedom of drinking
Freedom of meeting (including for couples)
Finally
Freedom of living. !!

shan Monday, 01 November 2010 07:05 AM

very near future they'll discourage the people consumption of any food. May be 2 meals per person per day.

Lover Monday, 01 November 2010 07:06 AM

Yeah you better eat rice but its over Rs 70 a Kilo

Kumar Wijayasekara Monday, 01 November 2010 07:09 AM

It is high time now to encourage the public to make some items from 'punnakku'.

malithlk Monday, 01 November 2010 07:09 AM

Minister Maithripala has rice mills at polonnaruwa area. So he can get more bids for supplying rice for all government hospitals. On top of poor patients minister getting rich.

bernard Monday, 01 November 2010 07:11 AM

Butter sales will be down!!

ruvanthi Monday, 01 November 2010 07:12 AM

hey if your banning wheat flour products from hospital then please make sure that they are no roti and stuff like that as well. cause if u bann these stuff in hospital canteens then patients must be not given any wheat products also when they are recovering form some illness and are staying in hospitals.

zeereez Monday, 01 November 2010 07:15 AM

now how to maintain my body numbers?? eating rice all 3 meals and during tea break will make me fat ne meya...

Razick - Doha Monday, 01 November 2010 07:16 AM

Yes Shan, except the Ministers and Gov. MPs.

roshan raz Monday, 01 November 2010 07:18 AM

are you out of your mind?

TMA Monday, 01 November 2010 07:31 AM

Just like th 70's. Clear signs that the country's going 2 total bankruptcy. It's not cos we love local food, but we have no money to buy wheat flour

Udurala Monday, 01 November 2010 07:32 AM

This well plan operation launch by mafia in polonnaruwa.

True LANKAN Monday, 01 November 2010 07:35 AM

ban string hoppers too ????

TR Monday, 01 November 2010 07:40 AM

you are correct!
How much is the price of a lunch packet today? even can anyone eat those lunch packets, very poor in quality and taste.

Oyage Podi Guru Monday, 01 November 2010 07:44 AM

What about the beloved biscuits? the cream crackers? Sounds like this is opening a can of worms!

Rathnaweera Monday, 01 November 2010 07:47 AM

Majority of Sri Lankans ate malu paan, Kimbula Banis, Seeni Banis, Paan & Parippu etc., for ages. They did not matter to them in diabetic or any other ailment. They worked hard in the field and burned the calories, unlike the present generation who sit at the Computer.

Don't let it be like the last days of Sri Wickramarajasingha where Rammalaka Nilame showed his objection to Kurakkan (contempt) before the King himself.

Kariyawasam Monday, 01 November 2010 07:47 AM

What a stupid idea ...........

Lakmal Monday, 01 November 2010 07:51 AM

Let us know what are the substitutions foods for ban ones?

Can we take rice and curry all the time even in the tea time?

Jinadasa Monday, 01 November 2010 08:03 AM

First govt imposed restrictions on rice prices. Paddy prices went down. Mill owners bought paddy stocks. Now ban wheat products and make people eat rice. Fun time for mill owners.

indika Monday, 01 November 2010 08:05 AM

(Bread)Lover, from where did you buy rice ??? Go to the market, you can get around Rs. 50.00.

Jinadasa Monday, 01 November 2010 08:06 AM

eat kawum and kiri bath

indika Monday, 01 November 2010 08:09 AM

Do you reborn ?? Where where in 1988-90.? This has been limited only for IDIOTS. .

Nina Kamal Monday, 01 November 2010 08:09 AM

I just like the idea ' its not for the public' just for our parlimentarians!!! These fat guys just wake up after their snooze and brings out a rabbit from their hat and entertain the whole parliament!!! Thus, punnakku is just right for them!

PWC Monday, 01 November 2010 08:10 AM

People like you are highly recommended.

Rthing Monday, 01 November 2010 08:10 AM

This is a good move. Country needs to understand that Health is free in Gov hospitals. So, Gov has right to manage the cost, whilst shifting the habits to a common goal.

PWC Monday, 01 November 2010 08:12 AM

This is totally jelousy. What the hell if one get rich or two or 100 ??? What is important is decesion is good for the GENERAL PUBLIC.

Ruhunu Puthra Monday, 01 November 2010 08:14 AM

Wheat Flour Terrorism gonna invade the hospitals !!

PWC Monday, 01 November 2010 08:14 AM

If you don't have money to buy wheat flour, they buy rice.

w.g.l. Monday, 01 November 2010 08:20 AM

what is Kariyawasam says is very sure

Dinesh Monday, 01 November 2010 08:26 AM

When you are sick,what is the alternative food you can eat??
rice & curry?
Think

shameer Monday, 01 November 2010 08:27 AM

EVEN YOU EARN A MILLION RUPEES A MONTH, FREEDOM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MONEY...... AFTER ALL, WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, IF WE CANT EVEN EAT WHAT WE WANT ???

sira Monday, 01 November 2010 08:30 AM

Api wenuven api, rata perata & suba anagathayak. Ayubowan thats all we could say. More to come, next is what to wear, how to dress and when to travel.

Lam Monday, 01 November 2010 08:45 AM

patients should not eat anything at tea time .

sltk2004 Monday, 01 November 2010 08:46 AM

How can not consuming wheat flour be good for the general public?

sltk2004 Monday, 01 November 2010 08:49 AM

Health is free because the tax payers have already paid for it. And how can the cost be manged by banning wheat flour based products ?

TMA Monday, 01 November 2010 08:50 AM

I have. But the govt. doesn't. Wheat products R the easiest source of food 4 a busy life. MayB cooking rice all the time is good 4 jobless good 4 nothins stayin@ home

kevin Monday, 01 November 2010 08:50 AM

We had HAAL POLU during Sirimavo's time. We have PAAN POLU now?

Sampath Monday, 01 November 2010 09:01 AM

Good move sir

victoria Monday, 01 November 2010 09:05 AM

NO he is clever, then only he can sell all the hoared rice???

People are foolish?

victoria Monday, 01 November 2010 09:06 AM

FREEDOM of eating too !!!!!

mallie Monday, 01 November 2010 09:13 AM

one meal on odd days, two meals on even days, 200 guests for weddings, direct governed municipalities of Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Trinco, Bati, Galle, matara, Ratnapura...... five suits per year, what else

Perera Monday, 01 November 2010 09:20 AM

Then we should ban the McDonalds and KFC as well. And all fast food outlets should be sealed.

sltk2004 Monday, 01 November 2010 09:26 AM

If wheat flour is so harmful, then that is the best thing to do in order to ensure a healthy nation.

ronny Monday, 01 November 2010 09:32 AM

they try to make show by change everything. but they cannot change the bad mentality of Sri lankans.

Dinesh Monday, 01 November 2010 09:35 AM

Mr Perera are you planning to open out let ? very good move to counter your competitors lol

Dennis Monday, 01 November 2010 09:56 AM

Lover, pl do not write incorrect comments. Yesterday I bought red rice for 48/= per kilo. You may talking about Basmathi rice?

Roshan Khan Monday, 01 November 2010 10:03 AM

Nop !

Fried Rice & Buriyani !!!

nihal Monday, 01 November 2010 10:05 AM

Like You

Roshan Khan Monday, 01 November 2010 10:07 AM

I am sorry !
You are in Sri Lanka.
You have no freedom for anything !!!
Firs you should understand that.

Roshara Monday, 01 November 2010 10:10 AM

Await great times ahead

Hasiya Monday, 01 November 2010 10:27 AM

We should learn to eat Kurahan with Weli thalapa....

Lover Monday, 01 November 2010 10:34 AM

Freedom of been an adult. Can anybody go & watch a film. We have only children movies to watch

Mushi Monday, 01 November 2010 10:42 AM

Use Ala,Bathala, mayyokka to make cake,buns and eat for breakfast..

gamarala Monday, 01 November 2010 10:44 AM

Better to give 'Thanakola" every one

Smart Aleck Monday, 01 November 2010 10:46 AM

Who is the Head of the Paddy Mafia in Polonnaruwa? Somebody's brother?

unl Monday, 01 November 2010 10:52 AM

Please read the article first

Hashi Monday, 01 November 2010 11:55 AM

A VERY GOOD MOVE BUT WHAT'S THE ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDED BY THE AUTHORITIES ?

Oyage Podi Guru Monday, 01 November 2010 11:57 AM

Excessive oil in kawum.

kumar Monday, 01 November 2010 11:59 AM

Brilliant, as only Sri Lankan ministers can be! He should also ban certain types of disease, certain days to treat, certain types of doctors etc.

Oyage Podi Guru Monday, 01 November 2010 12:05 PM

Yep, a monster can of worms. In fact, if you dry them up and pound a bit in your mortar, you can make some delish rotis and bunnis.

Udaratakolla Monday, 01 November 2010 12:41 PM

Brilliant point!

chami Monday, 01 November 2010 12:42 PM

They don't go to govt. hospitals for treatment , so these rules are only for the unprivileged citizens only. That much they adore us.

Select Monday, 01 November 2010 12:42 PM

Looks like we are again near the situation of 1965 - 76 period.

Udaratakolla Monday, 01 November 2010 12:52 PM

What happens if the rice crop fails next year?

Lakmal Monday, 01 November 2010 12:56 PM

Good decision. Now Minister's brother can sell more rice to poor people at very high rate

Sam Monday, 01 November 2010 01:15 PM

Who's rice are you going to sell Mr. Minister? Looks a bit like vested interests to me.

Good opportunity to set up some 'malu pan' shops around hospitals. Thank you sir :)

Yehiya-Doha Monday, 01 November 2010 01:46 PM

Dear Minister. You are doing good job to Health ministry. Please dont fall to extrimist idea. All want to kill your political life,

polkiccha Monday, 01 November 2010 02:02 PM

yeah seems you've already tried kumar. what part of SL are you from?

polkiccha Monday, 01 November 2010 02:04 PM

ages? i dnt think so

MK Monday, 01 November 2010 04:33 PM

Totaly correct

rsam Monday, 01 November 2010 06:15 PM

if these stooges are so "worried" about the health of the nation why can't they ban alcohol & tobacco first which are sure and proven killers

dILSHAN Monday, 01 November 2010 07:25 PM

What happening to Srilanka atlast everybody has to eat sand only

J.D Monday, 01 November 2010 07:48 PM

Do you know the hunger of poor people....they are not use to eat healthy and rich food like you....

seruvila Monday, 01 November 2010 11:41 PM

can you try plant wheat.

asoka abeywardena Tuesday, 02 November 2010 01:42 AM

You know guys, yesterday I went to Embilipitiya all the way from Malabe and bought two kilo of red rice @ Rs. 40.

dilshan Tuesday, 02 November 2010 02:37 AM

Cant you stop these items in Parliment canteen as wel

Dinesh Tuesday, 02 November 2010 02:52 AM

what you are telling can be true,but i cant go from Colombo to Embilipitiya to buy rice ( seems you forget the travelling cost & at time taken you go and come).further its is matter of buying from hospital - think of a practical solutions

Podiappuhami Tuesday, 02 November 2010 02:59 AM

What about Paliament Canteen?
Still they serve Cake, Pastry,?

Only thing I know is all food in Paliament canteen are Heavilly subsidied. I donot know about now a few years ago ago a Paliamantarian has to pay Rs1.50( not USD) for a piece of Cake, Milk tea, Puwalu Kesel(banana) and a Tala Guly. Jayawewa

willows Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:06 AM

get ready for PIDURU on the way????

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:27 AM

Have kevum = rice cakes. :) Actuallythe Rice researchinstitute has made lots of recipies including for cake, We just need to get out of the American flour dependency. And on top of that, rice is good for us. Wheat flour is not good for us. Stupid to eat bread unless its really inconvenient to make some rice. Even a buth-packet would be healthier.
Why do you think all the American books on babies insist that baby's first diet should be rice cereals? because wheat can have allergic reactions for some babies. And what do we give? Rusks. What is in them? Wheat.
Nothing wrong with giving mashed up red rice like they did years ago before rusks existed. Nothing bad happened to our parents who were weaned on rice, gotukola, dahl, spinash, mukunuwenna. Actually they are healthier.
So it is silly y to object tosomeone doingsomething that is good for you. Anyways, most people who are complaining here wont go to a government hospital,so why bother?

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:30 AM

Very good rice isavailable at Rs 44 at Arpico and sometimes Cargills also, not to mention wholesale shops.
Of course if you insist on whita samba w/o the nivudu, you can always pay more for less nutrition and mere starch. Thenyou might as well eat bread!

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:32 AM

There are some nice rice packets at reasonable prices. You just need to know where to look.

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:36 AM

Wheat flour is imported. Rice is local. Does that answer your question?

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:37 AM

You may take a sack next timeyou go,since the hospitals will serve rice andyou may starve.

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:38 AM

And while I believe less use of wheat flour is great, this really looks like there is a conflict of interest because your brother is a rice merchant/miller.

ND Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:39 AM

Coz the taxes from them help run our government. No government will ban these things.

Dupatha Tuesday, 02 November 2010 04:54 AM

best thing to do is fast to death

Rosh Tuesday, 02 November 2010 05:03 AM

we can have halpity cake in future

pema Tuesday, 02 November 2010 05:51 AM

Welldone minister, Prohibit all wheat products. Levy a extra tax on Shorteat restaurents.

Cocohead Tuesday, 02 November 2010 06:20 AM

Ban wheat in parliament too

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No wheat at hospitals

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