News
Covid upsurge: JVP blame govt.’s disregard for expert opinion, Dr. Fernandopulle’s warnings
JVP politburo member Bimal Ratnayake addressing media yesterday. Former Kalutara District MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa looks on
By Saman Indrajith
The government’s callous disregard for expert opinion was the main reason for the spread the of COVID-19 virus at an alarming speed in the post-New Year period, the JVP said yesterday.
Addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte, JVP Central Committee member and former MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said that the situation would have been different and the country would not have been in the present predicament if the government had listened to the warnings by State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle.
“There are four ministers for health. Among them is the State Minister Dr Fernandopulle and the Covid control comes under her purview. She is a specialist doctor. We demand to know under whose instructions her warnings had been disregarded. We are sure that it was not the Army Commander who did that. It should be the President and he should understand that there are things he knows as well as things he does not. If he acts in a manner that he knows everything then the country will have to suffer. If the government had listened to Dr Fernandopulle the present situation would not have been this worse.”
JVP Politburo member and former MP Bimal Ratnayake said the government had closed the stable door after the horse had bolted. “For example, restrictions for the movement are imposed only after the explosive increase of infections.
He warned that the country was likely to face a shortage of medical oxygen. There were only two factories that produced oxygen. They produced 100 tonnes a day. As per the needs of an emergency, the health sector officials alone would need 25 tonnes daily. “The government must act fast without waiting for the last moment. Doctors and medical experts have already warned of a possible oxygen shortage. But still the government does not give two hoots about the possible danger.”
Ratnayake said that the super-rich would not have any problem as they could migrate elsewhere as now seen in India. “Most rich persons have left India for other countries and some have come to Sri Lanka too. The rich owners of Indian factories have left the country. Here too we see that the factories operate without giving any regard to the health of the workers. For example when a Covid-19 infected worker is found, that worker is given leave and is replaced by another to continue the work of that line. There are boarding places with a large number of factory workers. Those are like time-bombs waiting to explode. Yet, the government has no concern about such dangers.”
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern 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 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
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics
‘Sent to be killed’: How Russia forces migrants to fight in Ukraine
Babar Azam 71* helps Peshawar Zalmi extend lead at top
Trump threatens to fire Fed chair Jerome Powell if he doesn’t leave in May
Royal Challengers Bengaluru top the table after bowlers help thump Lucknow Super Giants
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News5 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
Features5 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Business7 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Business7 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Latest News4 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
-
News6 days agoAnura Solomons passes away
-
Features5 days agoCIA’s hidden weapon in Iran
-
Latest News3 days agoPrasidh, Buttler set up comfortable win for Gujarat Titans