News
COVID-19 patients to be treated at NF hospital
By Saman Indrajith
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi told Parliament yesterday that the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital in Malabe would be used to treat COVID-19 patients as one of the measures to face the current resurgence of the disease in the country. The Minister said that on Oct 6, a total of 4,800 PCR tests had been conducted on the employees of Brandix Apparel Limited in Minuwangoda, close contacts of the employees and other associates related to them.
Besides, another 1,800 PCR tests had been conducted on people at random.
Responding to a question of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said: “We have taken all the possible measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. We do not transport COVID-19 patients and persons who have suspicious symptoms together. They are being sent to hospitals separately. Several hospitals have been allocated specifically to treat COVID-19 patients. Also, conducting random PCR tests in hospitals is being carried out as usual.”
Speaking about quarantining of hospital staff, the Minister said that all necessary measures had been taken to provide suitable places for them.
“We gave apartment type places to them first but we heard there were some issues. Last time hotels were used for this. I instructed the Ministry Secretary to make the same arrangements. Now, discussions are being held with suitable hotels for this purpose,” she said.
The Opposition raising a several Points of Order queried the minister as to why the quarantine curfew was not imposed on the Gampaha District as a whole.
The Minister said that decisions to impose curfew were taken following instructions of both health and security officials. The Government would not hesitate to impose their instructions at any given time, she said.
“That is an evolving process. We impose the curfew after finding patients in those areas. Otherwise, there will be no use,” she said.
SJB Galle District MP Manusha Nanayakkara said that there were rumors that the Brandix Apparel Limited bypassed the compulsory quarantine process and brought Indian workers to the factory. The Speaker advised Nanayakkara to make a complaint regarding the matter.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella requested a two day debate on the matter. The Speaker said that it would be discussed during the party leaders’ meeting.
News
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
A meeting between Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and relevant ministry officials was held on Tuesday (08) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the development plans to be implemented in Sri Lanka under three zones, in collaboration with the Surbana Jurong Institute of Singapore and 18 Ministries.
During the meeting it was discussed in detail regarding the plans for the Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project. The officials from Singapore-based urban planning and infrastructure consultancy Surbana Jurong also joined the discussion virtually.
Progress reports on the three projects were reviewed in detail and Dr. Kumanayake instructed the officials to identify any deficiencies and finalize the necessary actions within the next two weeks.
The discussion also addressed delays in securing necessary approvals for investments under the existing regulatory framework, as well as the urgent need to revise certain legislative instruments to better facilitate national development.
The meeting was attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russel Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Urban Development, Construction and Housing U.G. Ranjith Ariyaratne, and several senior officials from the respective ministries.
News
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a Warm Weather Advisory for 09 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 Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, and Western provinces and in Monaragala district.
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 below 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.
Prof. Jayasumana raises possibility of Lanka ending up with “Quad’
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has said it is the responsibility of the NPP government to submit the MoUs/agreements that were recently signed with India to the respective Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs).
Premadasa said so when The Island raised the issue with him. He said that during his meeting with Premier Modi his focus had been on opening the Indian market for Sri Lankan garment exports.
The seven MoUs/agreements signed on 05 April included defence cooperation, energy, Eastern Province development and digitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Sarvajana Balaya and former lawmaker Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that the government owed an explanation whether the recently signed MoU on defence cooperation directly or indirectly attached Sri Lanka to the Quad security alliance, consisting of the US, Australia, Japan and India.
The former SLPPer raised the issue at a meeting held at Boralesgamuwa on Monday (07) in support of Sarvajana Balaya candidates contesting the May 6 LG polls.
Prof. Jayasumana urged that the MoU on Defence Cooperation be placed before Parliament, and the people, without further delay. The academic who served as State Health Minister during President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign policy direction should be dealt with.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Colombo Metropolitan Region, Eastern Development Plan and the Greater Hambantota Project discussed in detail
IPL 2025: Sensational Priyansh Arya condemns Chennai Super Kings to another loss
Heat index at ‘Caution level’ in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western, Western provinces and Monaragala district today [09]
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