News
Covid-19 response: Australia uses Mattala to move supplies to India and Nepal
Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster aircraft lands at Mattala
Australia has used Sri Lanka as a hub to move urgently needed assistance to Nepal and India battling the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic. The Australian High Commission, in a statement issued yesterday (7) quoted HC David Holly as having that Sri Lanka facilitated the use of Mattala airport to deliver Australian assistance to its North East Indian Ocean neighbours.
The Australian HC issued the following statement: “Australia has delivered essential medical supplies to Sri Lanka to further assist in its response to COVID-19. On 4 June, a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster aircraft landed at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport carrying essential supplies of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Using Sri Lanka as a hub, essential supplies will also be delivered to Nepal and India in direct response to the COVID-19 crises taking place in those countries.
Australia has continued to support Sri Lanka’s health system since the start of the pandemic, responding to COVID-19 outbreaks and bolstering the health system to manage threats to regional health security in the future.
The Western Australian Government’s donation of 9,800,000 facemasks and 3,200 coveralls will provide essential support and protection to those on the frontline of the current health crisis to ensure the sustained delivery of emergency care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marking the event at Mattala Airport, Australian High Commissioner Holly said “In addition to the COVID-19 supplies being delivered to Sri Lanka today, the Australian government warmly appreciates the support of the Sri Lankan government in facilitating the use of Mattala Airport as the hub for delivering much needed COVID support to our North East Indian Ocean neighbours.”
“Today’s event represents a significant example of our growing commitment to partnership in the Indian Ocean region.”
Australia’s overall package of support to Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 response totals AUD 11.7 million (LKR 1,800 million). Australia’s support has been focused on bolstering health security, promoting social cohesion and stability for Sri Lankan communities and supporting economic recovery.”
It has been reported that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has been found dead at his residence in Athurugiriya this morning (17)
it is suspected that he may have taken his own life.
A heated argument broke out between Jaffna District MP Archchuna Ramanathan and Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar during the Kilinochchi District Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (16).
A video footage of the incident shows the MP and the Minister engaging in a heated verbal exchange, following which a physical confrontation appeared to develop when the Minister attempted to grab files reportedly in the possession of MP Ramanathan.
“If you lay a hand on me, I’ll lay a hand on you too… got it?” Ramanathan is heard telling the Minister during the exchange.
Police and officials present at the meeting intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The circumstances that led to the confrontation were not immediately clear.
Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has filed an intervening petition before the Court of Appeal in connection with a petition filed by former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, challenging his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act over investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.
The Cardinal has sought permission from the court to make submissions in relation to Sallay’s petition and requested that it be dismissed.
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