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.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with the representatives of the European External Action Service [EEAS] on Tuesdqy [10 th February] at the Prime Minister’s office.
Welcoming the delegation from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of further strengthening and deepening the long-standing partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union, noting the role of the European Union as a key development and economic partner.
The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the European Union to Sri Lanka in response to the recent cyclone, highlighting the EU’s continued solidarity and support during times of need.
Attention was drawn to the need to expand economic cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of undertaking necessary legislative and policy reforms to facilitate enhanced economic engagement, trade, and investment.
The delegation was briefed on the ongoing initiatives and reforms being implemented by the new Government aimed at strengthening economic stability, governance, and creating a conducive environment for sustainable growth and international cooperation.
The meeting was attended by the Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service, EU co-chair of the Joint Commission, Ms. Paola Pampaloni; EU Ambassador, Head of EU Delegation Ms. Carmen Moreno and the representatives of European External Action Services and Delegation of the European Union, and Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta and the officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, Tourism Sri Lanka.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank for Sri Lanka Ms Shannon Cowlin and the accompanying delegation met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Tuesday [0th of February] at the Prime Minister’s office.
Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister extended congratulations to the newly appointed Country Director and acknowledged the long-standing partnership with the Asian Development Bank. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for ADB Bank’s continued engagement and support aligned with Sri Lanka’s national development priorities.
The Prime Minister also conveyed gratitude for the timely assistance extended by the ADB in response to Cyclone Ditwah, noting the importance of such support in mitigating the immediate impacts of natural disasters.
The ADB delegation reiterated its readiness to further assist Sri Lanka during the post-cyclone recovery phase, including rebuilding and reconstruction efforts, and emphasized its commitment to the supporting the education sector.
The meeting was attended by OIC / Deputy Director General, SARD Ms. Sona Shrestha, Ms. Cholpon Mambetova Country Operations Head of ADB Sri Lanka Mission Resident, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Director General of the External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Samantha Bandara, Director for ADB Division in External Resource Department, Ministry of Finance Ranjith Gurusinghe.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A discussion on regulating school student transport services was held on the 09th of February at the Prime Minister’s Office under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the participation of officials from the National Transport Commission and the Ministry of Education.
The authority for regulating school student transport has been vested with the National Transport Commission, and as the relevant draft of regulations have already been prepared, discussions were held on the provisions contained in these drafts as well as on new proposals that should be incorporated.
During the discussion, the attention was focused on meeting the emerging needs of transportation arising from the schools, minimizing issues encountered in the transportation of school students by establishing an organized transport mechanism, and deploying the “Sisu Sariya” school transport service in a more efficient and effective manner followed by the new educational reforms process.
Discussions were also held on introducing laws and regulations to systematize the transportation of schoolchildren, prioritizing child protection by preventing reported incidents of abuse and harassment during student transport, and enhancing professionalism among school transport service providers to ensure a responsible and accountable service.
The focus was also emphasized on the need for coordinated action among the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, the National Transport Commission, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the National Child Protection Authority.
The discussion was attended by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake, Chairman of the National Transport Commission P. A. Chandrapala, officials of the National Transport Commission, and the officials from the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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