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GMOA clams sidelining of preventive care system reduced expected results of vaccination drive
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government had sidelined the officials engaged in the Health Ministry’s preventive care system and therefore the vaccination drive had not yielded the desired results, Secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Senal Fernando said yesterday.
The GMOA also protested against the government’s decision to hand over the administration of Pfizer vaccine to the military.
Dr. Fernando said the GOMA had written to Health Minister Keheliya, Rambukwella urging him to carry out the vaccination programme through the preventive care system.
“We told him that an aggressive vaccination programme for those above 60 years must be carried out and an active surveillance and performance audit conducted. This should also be done as regards those suffering from NCDs and other vulnerable groups,” he said.
Vaccinating those between 30 and 60 should continue while giving priority to the above-mentioned groups, Dr. Fernando said, adding that the supply of vaccines to MOH offices and hospitals was not done in keeping with priorities that had led to problems.
“We asked the Minister to address this issue by appointing DDG PHS (I) Dr. S.M. Arnold as the focal point of vaccination. We also asked the Minister to stop all interference by various parties. Any views, opinions and suggestions should be directed to the national focal point Dr. Arnold DDG PHS (I) for tabling at the Subcommittee for Vaccination Strategy of the Epidemiology Unit. We also protested handing over the entire Pfizer Vaccination Programme to the Military,” Dr. Fernando said.
Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
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May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM
In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
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Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival
Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address
Hamas to release US-Israeli hostage as part of efforts to reach Gaza ceasefire
May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM
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