Colombo, Oct. 21 -- Deadly cough syrups recently linked to child deaths in India have set off alarm bells across the region, with Sri Lankan authorities on alert to keep unsafe medicines out of local markets.

Despite authorities keeping a close watch, there have been instances of substandard or poorly manufactured drugs entering the local market from India under emergency purchases, particularly during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. It's in this context that local health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said these syrups pose serious health risks and have been linked to the deaths of several children under the age of five in India's Madhya Pradesh stat...