News
Pros of expediting vaccination process outweigh cons – AMS
A long queue near a vaccination centre
Long queues near inoculation centres:
By Rathindra Kuruwita
As long as the queues at COVID-19 vaccination centres are outdoors and people wear masks, the risk of viral transmission is minimal, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando says.
He made this statement when he was asked whether the long queues at vaccination centres would boost the tranmission of the virus.
“Theoretically, there is a possibility. You have to look at the pros and cons. I think it makes sense to inoculate as many people as possible,” he said.
Dr. Fernando said that he too had seen long queues near Diyatha Uyana and other vaccination locations. However, given that the people were gathered outside, in an open area and that they were wearing masks, the chance of infection is low.
“However, if these queues are inside, this is bad. We should not allow people to gather in enclosed areas,” he said.
Ventilation in buildings is as important as washing hands and other measures in preventing the spread of COVID-19, Dr. Fernando added.
Dr. Fernando said that earlier medical specialists believed that wearing masks, maintaining physical distance and washing hands were the way to curb spread of the virus.
“Virus load plays a part in the transmission of the virus. Thus, the chance of infection is less if there is a way of diluting the virus, killing it or dispersing it,” he said. Even if people wear masks and gather inside an enclosed space for a longer period they still can get infected as the duration of exposure also matters.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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