News
Opposition and govt. split hairs over who is responsible for reigniting pandemic
By Saman Indrajith
The SJB yesterday alleged that the government had lowered it guard, causing the latest wave of COVID-19 infections.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament on Friday (9): “Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi made statements to the effect that we had eradicated COVID-19 from society. She boasted that Sri Lanka was the world’s first country that had beaten coronavirus once and for all. Such statements resulted in people losing their fear and letting their guard down. That is the reason for the second wave of COVID-19.”
Kiriella tabled two statements made by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, one on Sept 03 that virus had been successfully eradicated and the other on April 22 stating that Sri Lanka was the first country in the world that eradicated the virus from society. “In her second statement she in the capacity of Minister of Health assures the public that there is no way for the coronavirus to spread among people in this country and there would be no social spread. People believed in such statements. That was the reason they did not adhere to the health guidelines. There had been warnings from the Government Medical Officers’ Association and the Medical Research Institute that the threat was still there and there was a potential for the pandemic to reignite, but the minister went on giving assurances that they won the fight against the virus and asking people not to harbour fears. We want to know whether the minister will admit that she made these statements.”
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi: You have listened only to a section of the statement that I made. They take a section out of context and play it to create an impression that I made such a statement. I ask you to listen to the statement in full. During the elections you and the leader of the opposition campaigned without wearing facemasks. That was one reason people started thinking that there is no threat from COVID-19. My statements emphasized that we could win the battle against the virus if people support the government initiatives all alike.”
The Department of Education has announced that the results of the 2024 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on : www.doenets.lk
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the training of teachers required for the new education reforms will commence in May, and that contracts granted to political cronies in local government institutions will be brought to an end following the upcoming local government elections.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in the areas of Mirigama, Minuwangoda, and Katana in the Gampaha District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister stated:
“From birth to death, all the aspects of life of a person are handled by local government institutions. However, to this day, these institutions lack proper systems even to provide the people with basic facilities.
We are committed to working with a proper system, free of fraud and corruption, and managing every rupee carefully and attentively. We are identifying the needs of people and implementing projects under a systematic plan to develop rural sectors.
You elect fellow members who stand firmly against fraud and corruption through two decisive elections. First, you elect Anura Kumara as President, a leader committed to fighting corruption. Then, in the parliamentary election, you choose a group of qualified individuals who are equally dedicated to this cause to represent you in Parliament.
To ensure that the funds allocated for rural development reach the people, the local government institutions which are the closest to the villagers must also be clean and transparent. That is why this election is so important to us.
The people and the villages come to experience our corruption-free political culture through local government institutions. These institutions must properly implement, monitor, and evaluate the development projects allocated to the rural sector. The era of awarding contracts for such projects to political cronies must end.
Although early childhood development is a crucial part of education, there has never been a proper system for it. We are now establishing such a system. Starting in May, teacher training for the modern education which is being introduced will begin. We have a comprehensive plan for development across all sectors.
The Ministry of Education has received billions worth of projects, but there is no proper implementation process. For example, 1,500 smart boards were brought for smart classrooms, but the Secretary to the Ministry has not implemented a system to distribute them to schools. Teachers have not been trained to use them. Teacher training institutes still follow outdated curriculum. This will be corrected through the new education reforms,
In order to deliver all these benefits to the rural sector efficiently, it is essential to elect the right people for the right purposes. Therefore, in the upcoming local government elections, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya urged the public to vote for the candidates who are free from fraud and corruption presented by the National People’s Power (NPP).”
The event was attended by Parliament Chief Organizer of the ruling party Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Members of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Chaminda Lalith Kumara, along with several local government candidates and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the Ministry said.
The funeral is scheduled for today.
About 50,000 people came to pay their respects to the late Pope on Thursday, the Vatican news service said.
“Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul,” according to the Vatican news service.
“The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5:00 PM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.”
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