News
Former DGHS Dr. Jasinghe insists on not lowering our guard till COVID-19 is eradicated
By Ifham Nizam
All health measures should be continued to control the transmission of the coronavirus from person to person, former Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe warned. Secretary to the Environment Ministry Dr. Jasinghe said that despite the fact that the Covid-19 virus was currently under control here, however, all health measures taken to control the transmission of the virus from person to person should be continued.
The Secretary made these remarks while participating in a briefing at the premises of the Ministry of Environment on the procedures to be followed for the prevention of coronavirus spread.
The government had instructed every institution to seek the services of a health officer to inform their officers of the required measures for Covid-19 suppression, however the Ministry of Environment did not specifically seek the services of such an officer, he said
Dr. Jasinghe, who took over the task of raising awareness in his Ministry said that the epidemic was currently under control in Sri Lanka but in some countries the Covid -19 and its new variant Omicron was spreading like wildfire. In New York City, for example, patients were still being reported. In the UK, about 100,000 patients were reported daily.
“We have faced a lot of difficulties in the past because of Covid -19. You know how the Sri Lankan government, people and institutions have faced great difficulties. At the same time, we were able to act in a way that did not harm foreign exchange earning institutions such as our Board of Investment as well as exporting institutions,” he added.
He believes that there should be some criteria for the health sector to take the country’s economy and social affairs forward while controlling the Covid-19 spread. “Everyone should act accordingly. The various social inequalities in the country should be prevented from aiding the spread of the pandemic. If social inequalities are included in the virus, the impact of the virus can be doubled.”
“It is now being shown that the Omicron virus, which is spreading worldwide these days, is less effective than other Covid strains. At present there is some control over the Covid-19 epidemic here”, Dr. Jasinghe said adding that even if a certain number of patients were reported, the clear reduction in mortality was a good thing. The reason was that the effect of the virus was gradually diminishing.
He noted that such epidemics were reported about a hundred years ago. The Covid-19 viruses should have stopped, but this time it took a long time for the virus to subside. As the virus intensified, different variants were set off, like firecrackers. Although the Covid-19 virus has some controls, it can be counterattacked. Therefore, all health measures to control the transmission of the virus from person to person should be continued.
Therefore, personal distance should be maintained. Also, wearing face masks, using hygienic fluids, and cleaning hands can be used as a tactic to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Therefore, until the Covid-19 was eradicated from our country as well as the entire world, we would have to use the same tactics that were used to prevent it, Dr. Jasinghe said.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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