Abstract:The collection of Sri Lankan Cantharoidea in the National Museums Colombo was initiated and identified by European and British collectors in the early 1800s. Their collection has been reserved as "Sri Lankan firefly collection" in the National Museums, Colombo. Subsequently no systematic studies have been undertaken in an attempt to confirm the identifications and update the classification of these specimens using recent taxonomic information. During January to June in 2010, we examined 1,214 dry mounted specimens using a stereo microscope to determine external morphology in an attempt to reclassify specimens using up to date taxonomy. The collection originally was arranged into 4 families classified under 27 genera and 63 species. In our opinion, there are 4 families, containing 29 genera and 61 species including 27 Lampyridae species. The collection is clearly marked with labeled specimens indicating any authority for the suggested changes.

Seventeen species (17) of firefly genus Curtos Motschulsky have been recorded from South East Asia whereas there were no previous records from Sri Lanka. A first record of the genus Curtos Motschulsky in Sri Lanka and a re-description of males and females of C. costipennis Gorham are presented including light patterns and areas of incidence in Sri Lanka with indications of habitat types.

Bactrocera dorsalis Hendel, (Diptera: Tephritidae) is one of the serious fruit pests in South Asia. In Sri Lanka, there are dearth of past studies on the abundance and infestations of B. dorsalis on commercially important fruit varieties. Hence, the present study aimed to investigate the abundance of B. dorsalis adults and their infestation levels on Willard (Wld) and Karthakolomban (Kc) mango varieties grown in main bio-climatic zones of Sri Lanka. The study was conducted from September 2020 to February 2021 in eight study sites of four main bio-climatic zones. In every month, flies were collected from field traps. Infested fruits were also collected from study sites and fruit fly infestation levels and adult emergence were studied in the laboratory. The highest percentage of average infestation (Wld: P>0.05; Kc, P<0.05) and the highest mean value for the adult emergence for both mango varieties were recorded in the intermediate zone. The adult emergence for Kc was higher than the Wld in all study sites and it was significantly different between two mango varieties (P<0.05). The highest number of B. dorsalis were collected from traps in the intermediate zone (Wld: P<0.05; Kc, P>0.05). The infestation percentages, adult emergence, and the abundance of caught flies increased significantly during the study period for both Wld and Kc (P<0.05). The abundance of trapped flies was significantly varied between mango varieties (P<0.05) and positively correlated with the fruit infestation (Wld: r= 0.69; P<0.05 and Kc: r= 0.61; P<0.05). Trap collections for Kc in the intermediate zone showed a significant positive correlation with the rainfall (r= -0.90; P<0.05). The result of the present study can provide baseline information for the B. dorsalis infestation on two commercial mango varieties and the knowledge on their abundance in different bio climatic zones will be helpful to refurbish current pest management strategies.

Introduction: Government hospitals are expected to provide free health service which includes drugs for in-patients. However, in practice, in-patients have to purchase drugs from outside when they are treated in government hospitals. The objective of the study was to investigate the drug expenditure of patients during their stay in government hospitals. Methods: Cost incurred by 189 patients who were treated in a pediatric unit, a medical unit and a surgical unit in Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya for 3-10 days were studied. Details of drug cost incurred by patients were collected by interviewing patients, from BHTs, the hospital pharmacy and private pharmacies. Data were collected in two phases-from May to June and October to November in 2015. Results: The average cost for drugs for a patient was Rs. 1,406.00, Rs. 3,204.00, Rs. 3,678.00 and from government per a patient was Rs. 548.00, Rs. 1,239.00, Rs. 885.00 in pediatric, medical and surgical units respectively. Private expenditure on drugs is significantly higher than that from the government expenditure in all units. The highest percentage was spent for antibiotics both by the government (74%) and by the patients (67.5%). The highest antibiotic cost was recorded in the surgical unit. Surgical unit shows the highest per day difference of expenditure on drug by government and by patient. This difference widened with the number of hospitalised days. Conclusions: Study shows that patients spent more than the government on drugs and the highest fraction of this is for antibiotics. The highest burden is reported among patients admitted to the surgical unit.

Introduction: X-linked recessive hereditary disorders is the main cause of colour vision deficiency (CVD). The prevalence of CVD varies from race to race. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of CVD among 10-to16-year-old school children in Galle educational zone, Sri Lanka.Methods: A total of 566 students (males = 260) were examined with Ishihara pseudo-isochromatic colour plates. The parental questionnaire was used to obtain a family history of CVD, the ability of the child to select coloured objects and past medical history. Both parents and children were subjected to the same questions separately on their ability to differentiate coloured objects during activities of day-to-day life. Parents reported difficulties and child reported difficulties in colour perception were compared with 32 healthy age matched controls who were selected from the same school of the respective CVD patients. Results:The overall prevalence of CVD was 1.4% with a prevalence of 3.1% for males. Patients were detected in all three main ethnic groups of Sri Lanka (Six Sinhala, one Tamil and one Muslim boy). All affected children had negative histories of previous systemic and ocular disease or chronic use of medications. The visual acuity and the ocular fundi were normal in all affected children. Seven (1.23%) had deuteranomaly, while one (0.17%) had protanomaly. Seventy five percent (06) of the parents of affected children were unaware of their child's defect, while only one reported a positive family history. Parental reporting of difficulties in selecting coloured objects in the child's day-to-day activities was not significantly associated with the defect (p>0.05). Children with CVD had reported difficulties in identifying colour objects in television/computer programmes and separation of cooked from uncooked food (p<0.05). Fifty percent of the affected children were intimidated by their friends for their difficulties.Conclusions: CVD is not uncommon in the Galle education zone, Sri Lanka. The affected children face difficulties in their day-to-day life due to their defects.