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President appoints ministerial & specialist Committees for Covid-19 & Dengue Control
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken decisive action to combat the spread of Covid-19 and Dengue in the country by establishing both a Ministerial Committee and an Expert Committee. These Committees have been formed in accordance with Cabinet Decision No. 23/Miscellaneous/026.
The Ministerial Committee, led by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene, comprises 8 members, including Cabinet and State Ministers. Their primary responsibility is to implement urgent measures aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19 and Dengue nationwide.
Simultaneously, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, acting upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instructions, has appointed an Expert Committee consisting of 11 members who possess extensive knowledge in the relevant field. This Committee will provide invaluable expertise and guidance in the fight against Covid-19 and Dengue.
The following experts and officials in the relevant fields have been appointed as members of the Experts Committee:
Dr. Seetha Arambepola – State Minister of Health as the Chairperson,. S. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha – Secretary, Ministry of Health, M Kodippiliarachchi – Additional Secretary (Local Government & Provincial Councils), Dr. Asela Gunawardena – Director General of Health Services, Dr. S. M. Arnold – Deputy Director General (Public Health Services – I), Dr. Samitha Ginige – Director, Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Nalin Ariyarathne – Director, National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama – Senior Consultant Physician, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando – Pediatrician, Prof. Neelika Malavige – Professor, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Dr. Upul Dissanayake – Consultant Physician as members of this Committee.
In addition, Buddhika S. Gamage, Senior Assistant Secretary to the President has been appointed as the Convener of the Committee.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ASAHI arrived at the Port of Colombo on a replenishment visit this morning (01 Mar 25).
The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions.
JMSDF ASAHI is a 151m long destroyer commanded by Commander Shota TAKASHIRO. She is manned by a crew of 202.
During the stay in Colombo, crew members of the ship are expected to visit some tourist attractions in the city limits and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 03 Mar 25.
Three people have died in Reunion after Cyclone Garance swept through the French Indian Ocean territory with gusts of up to 234km/h (145mph).
The tropical cyclone left more than 180,000 homes without power and 170,000 without running water after making landfall on Friday morning.
The remote island’s entire population – including emergency services and police – were ordered to stay indoors as the maximum alert level was imposed.
Heavy storm rains were expected to continue on Friday evening, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou warning on X that the cyclone remained a threat.
The “brutal and violent” conditions were worse than Cyclone Belal, which killed four people on the island in January 2024, Prefect Patrice Latron said.
Garance made landfall in the north of Reunion at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT), before sweeping south and exiting the island by late afternoon, according to weather agency Meteo France.
Local authorities reduced the alert level by midday to allow emergency services and police to leave their shelters.
The top wind speed of 234km/h had not been recorded on the island since Cyclone Hollanda in February 1994.
Vincent Clain, 45, a resident of the island’s northern coast, told news agency AFP: “This is the first time I’ve seen a cyclone this powerful, and also the first time I’ve been afraid.”
Some 100 troops and firefighters were on standby to be dispatched from the French territory of Mayotte nearly 1,500km (930 miles) away when conditions eased, as well as 100 from mainland France.
Meanwhile, a 55-year-old man went missing in nearby Mauritius on Wednesday after going swimming in rough seas.
France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said Friday that Garance was of a “rare intensity”, while Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu said armed forces stood ready to provide assistance.
D.J. Rajakaruna, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), addressing the media explained that the current fuel issue was due to some fuel distributors disagreeing with the governments decision to introduce a new formula on which their commission will be based.
The CPC chairman said that there was no shortage of fuel. and that the Corporation has received 2924 fuel orders at that time and was in a position to accept more.
Nevertheless, some fuel stations were closed today [01] while there were long queues at the ones which were open.
JMSDF ASAHI arrives at port of Colombo
Three dead as ‘brutal’ cyclone sweeps through Reunion
CPC Chairman explains cause for fuel issue, but queues continue
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