News
Booster doses for docs’ families irk other health workers
By Rathindra Kuruwita
President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh yesterday criticised the decision to allocate the remaining 12,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to family members of doctors when there were many others who should be in priority groups who were not vaccinated.
Kumudesh said that Sri Lankans did not make a fuss when most of the AstraZeneca vaccine doses were allocated to the health sector because people understood the importance of protecting people who were likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
“Now, people are getting angry. At a time when there are many groups that are more vulnerable to the virus and are not inoculated, while the doctors have managed to secure the last doses of the vaccine for their family members and the health ministry has pushed aside other health sector staff from getting a share of the vaccine to their families. This is ugly and people will lose the respect they have for health workers,” he said.
On Monday some relatives of doctors were vaccinated at a doctors’ quarters by people in civilian clothing, the CMLS head said. “This is against the accepted norms of vaccination as there were no officers to officially keep tabs of what’s going on.
“Everyone wants to protect their families but there are segments that are much more exposed. For example, what about teachers? Since shops and food delivery places have been instructed to operate, what about shop owners and staff, food delivery persons and three-wheeler drivers? The priority list is not decided on your education or social status, it’s based on how exposed you are to the people. To be honest, there are some health sector staff that are less exposed to COVID-19 than the groups I mentioned,” Kumudesh said.
The CMLS President added that from the beginning of the vaccination process, the health Ministry created an environment that was conducive to fraud. After frontline staff was vaccinated; the AstraZeneca jab was administered to those over 60 and those in potential hotspots. When residents of hotspots were vaccinated; so-called VIPs, including doctors, managed to sneak in their friends and family to be vaccinated.
“This is how all these family members of doctors had got the first AstraZeneca jab. We have urged the President to look into this. If these family members are residents of hotspots, they can prove it easily. According to Health Ministry guidelines, we have to account for even a Paracetamol that we issue, but now not only does the Health Ministry openly admit that something fraudulent had taken place, it is also encouraging other health sector categories to fight over Sinopahrm quotas. This is ugly and this is something that can affect the reputation of health staff,” he said.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Peru’s ex-president and first lady sentenced to 15 years in jail
China’s Xi hails ‘new golden era’ with Malaysia during trade tour
Severe traffic reported on Ella-Wellawaya road due to inclement weather
-
News5 days agoSuspect injured in police shooting hospitalised
-
Features6 days agoRobbers and Wreckers
-
Business6 days agoBhathiya Bulumulla – The Man I Knew
-
Business5 days agoSanjiv Hulugalle appointed CEO and General Manager of Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka
-
Business7 days agoNational Anti-Corruption Action Plan launched with focus on economic recovery
-
Features4 days agoLiberation Day tariffs chaos could cause permanent damage to US economy, amid global tensions
-
Business4 days agoMembers’ Night of the Sri Lanka – Russia Business Council of The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce
-
Features4 days agoMinds and Memories picturing 65 years of Sri Lankan Politics and Society