News
Pandemic situation far worse than govt. makes it out to be, says CMSL President
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Most of the COVID-19 patients detected now were those who had come for treatment of their own volition, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday.
He said only a small percentage of detections were made by the tests carried out by the Health Ministry. In fact, the manner in which those tests were done ensured that detections were minimal, he said.
“The government is now trying to have us believe that things are under control. However, cases are increasing and close to 70 deaths are reported every day. If we calculate those who die without being detected, the numbers will double or even triple,” Kumudesh said.
Out of the 2,500 odd cases being detected daily, most were those who had sought treatment, he said.
“There are at least four times the number of cases that are reported. Although Dr. P. B. Jayasundera thinks the threat of COVID-19 is over, the health sector is struggling. Almost all COVID-19 wards are full and now the government wants to bring everyone to work. This will have disastrous consequences.”
It has been reported that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya this morning (17)
it is suspected that he may have taken his own life.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
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