News

UNP puts forth 21-point proposal, including immediate abolition of COVID-19 Task Force

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/18

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ranil meets Gotabaya

By Piyasena Dissanayake

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP, yesterday (17) met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss the Covid-19 situation.

The UNP said that it had submitted a 21-point programme to the government in good faith that the latter would implement them to fight the pandemic to save the lives of people.

Addressing the media yesterday, in Colombo, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that the party’s Working Committee had unanimously adopted the 21-point plan. It had already been sent to the President and other relevant government members as well as the Speaker of Parliament and leaders of other political parties, Abeywardene said.

The proposals are specifically aimed at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure health security and to restore the economy, the UNP Chairman said.

“We hope that the government will look into these proposals and take necessary actions to save the lives of the people,” Abeywardena said.

The plan, titled ‘The United National Party’s Policy for Health Security and Economic Security’, is as follows:

• Temporary field hospitals are to be constructed with the assistance of the Army and construction companies. This will include the provision of new beds for patients.

• The Government must immediately seek international assistance in obtaining more ventilators and oxygen supplies for patients while these supplies must be airlifted.

• Obtain the services of retired medical professionals and private practitioners to assist the health services in the country.

• The procurement of vaccines must be increased, it is recommended that the procurement process for COVID-19 related matters be suspended, and an emergency procurement process be put in place.

• The vaccine program must be expanded to include children aged 12 upwards, with the approval of their parents.

• The vaccine program must be accelerated and a realistic time frame for the vaccine program must be established by the medical authorities.

• The PCR testing of the public must be increased.

• All members of the health service must undergo regular PCR testing and be provided with Personal Protective Equipment.

• Proper statistics must be maintained of those infected by COVID-19 and the deaths.

• There is no provision in the law for anti-COVID-19 Task Forces. The powers are vested in the Cabinet of Ministers, the Disaster Management Council and the Director-General of the Health Services. The Task Force must be immediately abolished, and the Cabinet must assume responsibility. The Disaster Management Council comprising of relevant Ministers, Opposition Leader and officials must be convened. The Cabinet shall operate through them.

• A special advisory group of experts comprising of individuals recommended by the World Health Organization must be set up to assist the Cabinet.

• The Parliamentary Consultative Group on Health must meet on a weekly basis to provide an update to the Members of Parliament on the situation in the country regarding COVID-19.

• The lead role in all COVID-19 related matters must be taken by the medical authorities, with the military and other necessary institutions providing support. All anti-COVID-19 efforts must be under the direct control and supervision of the health experts in accordance with the Health Services Act.

• The Opposition drafted ‘Public Health Emergency Bill’ must be immediately enacted by Parliament. The Government’s ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Temporary Provisions)’, which provides partial relief, must also be enacted.

• The International Monetary Fund issued special drawing rights to member countries to enable them to provide resources to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This fund provides additional financial resources for the health sector, therefore the $ 800 million allocated to Sri Lanka must be utilised for COVID expenditure including purchasing vaccines.

• The economy is under severe strain due to COVID-19 and the lack of foreign exchange reserves. There is no space for an emergency economic relief program, therefore the Government must immediately begin talks with the IMF to obtain the necessary funding.

• The public and private sector must adopt a Work from Home strategy to reduce the movement of the citizens.

• Usage of public transport must be limited to half capacity, and the public must be restricted to only essential travel.

• The country’s borders must be immediately closed to all non-vaccinated tourists.

• The Disaster Management Council must work out a plan for the education sector to ensure the resumption of safe schooling for children.

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Addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority – PM

Published

13 hours ago

2026/03/15

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that addressing the drug issue in the country must be treated as a national priority, highlighting that it must deliver results at the ground level.

A meeting to brief the Prime Minister on the National Strategic Plan for the Management, Treatment and Rehabilitation of Persons with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) 2026–2030 was held with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media and other key stakeholders on 13th of March at the Temple Trees.

The discussion focused on the proposed national strategy developed to address the growing health, social and economic challenges associated with substance use disorders in Sri Lanka. The strategic plan aims to strengthen prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration services through a coordinated and evidence-based national approach.

During the meeting, attention was drawn to existing gaps in early identification of substance use disorders, continuity of care, community-based follow-up and reintegration of recovering individuals into society. The plan proposes several key interventions, including strengthening screening and symptomatic treatment at primary healthcare and outpatient levels, improving hospital-based treatment and follow-up services, expanding residential rehabilitation facilities, and enhancing community-based rehabilitation and relapse prevention programmes.

Special emphasis has also been placed on providing targeted support for vulnerable groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant women, mothers with children and prison inmates.

Speaking on the importance of strengthening the national response to drug issues, the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya noted that the drug menace has evolved into a serious social crisis that threatens social stability and security of families and the nation as a whole highlighting that law enforcement and rehabilitation in this regard must be given equal priority.

The Prime Minister further underscored the importance of including public awareness initiatives and responsible media reporting as key components of the national strategy.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe, officials from the Department of Prisons, Bureau of Rehabilitation, Sri Lanka Police Ministry of health, Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Justice and National Integration ,Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women and Child Affairs and other relevant department and ministries.

[Prime minister’s Media Division]

Latest News

QR code system will be implemented for fuel with effect from 06.00 a.m. today (15th)

Published

19 hours ago

2026/03/15

Priyan

In light of the prevailing geopolitical developments in Middle East, the petroleum product supply chain has been adversely affected. At the same time, the demand for fuel has increased abnormally, resulting in a depletion of the country’s existing fuel stock. Therefore, it has become necessary to carefully manage the available fuel reserves in order to sustain the nation’s economic activities.

Furthermore, it has recently been observed that certain groups have been illegally purchasing fuel in excessive quantities. The Government of Sri Lanka intends to prevent such improper consumption and ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply for the day-to-day needs and economic activities of the general public.

Accordingly, a QR code system will be implemented with effect from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.

Fuel will not be issued by any operating filling station in the country without a valid QR code from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026.

Steps to Obtain the QR Code

Users who have already registered for the QR Code
Users whose vehicle ownership and registered mobile number remain unchanged since their initial registration may download their QR Code from the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from midnight on 14.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Login’ button.
Users whose vehicle ownership or registered mobile number has changed since their last registration are required to re-register their details through the website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/ starting from 6.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.
Users who have not previously registered for the QR Code and users with newly registered vehicles at
the RMV
Registration can be completed starting from 06.00 a.m. on 15.03.2026 through the
website https://fuelpass.gov.lk/, using the ‘Vehicle Registration’ button.

The number of litres allocated for each category of vehicle is stated below.

A special fuel issuance system will be implemented for vehicles required to support national production and essential services.

Vehicle Class	Capacity control volume for fuel pass (L)
Buses	60
Motor cycle	5
Van	40
Motor car	15
Motor Lorry	200
Land Vehicles	25
Three Wheeler	15
Special Purpose Vehicle	40
Quadricycle	5

[Sri Lanka Transport Board will issue fuel to the private buses].

News

Lanka discovers largest groundwater source

Published

21 hours ago

2026/03/15

Thilina Walpola

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) on Friday said the largest groundwater source discovered in Sri Lanka so far had been identified during tube-well drilling near the Pitabeddara Police Station.

Indrajith Gamage, geologist in charge of the Southern Province, said the source recorded a continuous flow of about 10,000 litres (10 cubic metres) per minute, marking the first instance in the country where a groundwater source of that magnitude had been found.

He noted that the previous largest groundwater source was discovered in the Madhu area, which recorded a flow of about 7,000 litres per minute.

According to the NWSDB, the tube well was drilled following geological studies of rock layers and the identification of underground water through fractures in rock strata using specialised technical instruments.

The Board said steps would be taken to distribute water from the newly discovered source to residents facing shortages in Pitabeddara, Morawaka and surrounding areas.