News
AMS again urges govt. to lock down country
The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) yesterday again urged the government to lock down the country, given the raging spread of the Delta variant of Covid 19.
Writing to the Health Minister and senior health professionals, the AMS has said that their concerns, warnings and predictions are purely based on science, statistics and ground realities.
Given below is the AMS letter in full: “Whilst appreciating all the measures your Excellency and the government has taken to impose stricter travel and other restrictions, we plead ONCE AGAIN for further clamping down of movements as recommended by the WHO expert panel before the spread of this Delta variant becomes unstoppable and catastrophic.
“It is no secret that almost all hospitals (state & private) have reached their full capacity and the preventive services are exhausted. Moreover, the number of patients requiring oxygen and other intensive care facilities have gone up to dangerous levels which may result in inability to provide optimal care for both Covid and non-Covid patients. To make matters worse, the number of Health care workers infected with Covid-19 are increasing day by day.
“Although it may be a little too late, we still believe that stricter measures implemented at this critical juncture could still slow down this human-to-human spread and hence this alarming mortality and morbidity until our society reaches adequate levels of immunity by vaccination. If prompt and stern interventions are not adopted as recommended by the WHO experts at this critical juncture, we could face an unprecedented disaster overwhelming all the resources at our disposal.
“We, as a responsible professional organization, have brought many issues to the attention of your Excellency and the government very constructively, purely for the sake of our fellow citizens. We also take this opportunity to appeal to all religious leaders, community leaders and the general public to make individual or collective decisions to protect our citizens from the spread of Covid 19.
“Therefore, we wish to appeal to all citizens of our country for a stricter self-imposed isolation. This is not only applicable to individuals but also for larger ventures like Department stores, shops, factories, offices and restaurants where owners and managers could decide on their behalf to take measures on self-isolation. Already there are such instances where certain trade associations have made collective decisions.
“We plead to all citizens of our country at this crucial juncture to adopt tougher measures, although they may be damaging to livelihoods, as this is the only practical measure at our disposal to save lives.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala 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 above table 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.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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