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FR application filed against vaccination of children ‘without proper data’

Published

4 years ago

2021/12/27

A Fundamental Rights Application was filed before the Supreme Court by Dr. Darini Rajasingham, Ranjit Seneviratne and Hiran Fernando against Keheliya Rambukwella – the Minister of Health, the NMRA, the Director General of Health Services. The primary concern is that children are a target for indiscriminate vaccination in the absence of proper data, inasmuch as all Covid 19 vaccines have only received Emergency Use Authorisation and without the rigours of full clinical trials the vaccines have not been adequately tested for safety or efficacy, especially in children. Moreover, clinical trial data has also not been disclosed to the public for an informed choice to be made.

The Petitioners also urge that vaccine mandates are repugnant to bodily autonomy and the right to self-determine what may or may not be injected. Voluntary consent, being consent that is meaningful, valid and informed, is essential.

The DGHS in his Affidavit to the Supreme Court submits that the vaccination programme of the State is not mandatory and that the vaccine has been administered whilst preserving the autonomy and right to self-determine the acceptance of vaccines. He further submitted that the Ministry of Health has not issued any law, regulation or communication mandating vaccination.

The Petitioners in their Counter Objection have submitted that the Minister of Health was reported in the press as saying that receiving two doses of the vaccine will be mandatory from next year and that there is no barrier to making the vaccination certificate mandatory when visiting public places. The Petitioners also highlight that the Pfizer trials were not carried out on South Asian populations living in South Asia with no evidence of vaccine trials done in Asia.

When the matter was taken up before the Supreme Court comprising Thurairajah PC J., Shiran Gooneratne J. and Wengappuli J., on December 15, 2021 the Court inquired from the Attorney General as to the final authority in whom the responsibility for vaccinations rest. Viveka Siriwardene PC. ASG, representing the Respondents informed the Supreme Court that the DGHS is in charge of the entire vaccination programme and will be answerable for all activities of the Government. The Court also observed that the DGHS’ Affidavit stated that vaccination will not be mandatory. The Court also went on to observe and request that to avoid confusion it is preferable for the DGHS to make all communications on behalf of the State and that any person making a statement or communique without the approval of the DGHS will be responsible for the same. The Court also recorded that for the purpose of clarification it has clarified that the vaccination is not mandatory.

The case will now be taken up on 11.01.2022. Dr. K. Kanag-Isvaran PC with Nigel Bartholomeusz, Dilshani Wijayawardana and Laskhmanan Jeyakumar instructed by Moahan Balendra appeared for the Petitioners. Viveka Siriwardana PC, ASG, with Shiloma David, SC, appeared for the Minister of Health, DGHS, NMRA and the AG.

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President meets senior officials of the Urban Development Authority

Published

4 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and senior officials of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) was held this afternoon (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The meeting focused extensively on new development projects planned by the Urban Development Authority. The President emphasised the need to ensure that the budgetary allocations made for these projects in the current year are utilised effectively within the same financial year.

Detailed discussions were also held on projects planned to be implemented jointly by multiple institutions, including the importance of holding consultations with all relevant agencies to reach final decisions and the need to clearly define responsibilities for each institution in both implementation and maintenance phases of the projects.

Attention was drawn to key initiatives such as the Kelani River flood control project, water management projects in Colombo city and the Beira Lake restoration project. The need for a dedicated programme for low-income housing in areas such as Ratmalana and Moratuwa was also highlighted. During the discussion, Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake underscored the importance of introducing a structured management framework for the effective coordination of certain projects.

Deputy Minister of Urban Development, Eranga Gunasekara, Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Senior Professor Kapila C.K. Perera, Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), M.G. Hemachandra and the Heads representing the Urban Settlement Development Authority (USDA), Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC), National Physical Planning Department (NPPD) and the Condominium Management Authority (CMA) were also present at the meeting.

(PMD)

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CEAT Kelani Branch Inter-Company Employees’ Union makes donation to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Published

5 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

The Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the Kelaniya Branch of CEAT Sri Lanka has made a financial donation of Rs. 1,148,000.00, a day’s salary of its members to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund established to support the restoration of livelihoods and the rebuilding of areas affected by cyclone Ditwah.

Secretary of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, D.G.S.D. Navaratne, handed over the donation to the Chief of Staff to the President, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (18).

Treasurer of the Inter-Company Employees’ Union of the CEAT Kelani Branch, Y.P.I.C. Karunathilaka, together with members of the Executive Committee, were also present on the occasion.

(PMD)

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Prime Minister off to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum

Published

6 hours ago

2026/05/18

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed on an official visit to the United Kingdom to participate in the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to participate in several high-level academic and diplomatic engagements aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, development studies, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

As part of the visit, the Prime Minister will meet with Ms.Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education of the United Kingdom, at the UK Department for Education, to discuss areas of cooperation in education and related sectors. She is also expected to meet Ms.Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, for discussions on matters of bilateral interest and cooperation between Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In addition, the Prime Minister is expected to meet Ms.Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Education Forum and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) 2026 Board of Governors Meeting.

During the visit, the Prime Minister will attend a public event at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex and she will also take part in the ceremony marking the 60th Anniversary of the Institute of Development Studies. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to address a session at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies at the University of Oxford, followed by a question-and-answer session with scholars and students.

The visit is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s engagement with academic institutions, international development partners, and Commonwealth member states, particularly in the areas of education, research, policy dialogue, and capacity building.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]