Sajith says Pavitra didn’t accompany him around country to see whether he was wearing a mask

By Saman Indrajith

The shortsightedness and negligence of the government were the root causes of the spread of the COVID-19 in the country, said Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament yesterday. 

He appreciated the Health sector officials, the military and the police for their contribution to control the COVID-19 in the country, at least to this level. 

He urged Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarcahchi to accept that the COVID-19 had turned to Community transmission level, from cluster level. 

He made these observations seconding the Adjournment debate moved by MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the spread of COVID-19 in the country. 

The Opposition Leader said the economy of the country was collapsing due to that reason. 

He said that he was the first to talk on the COVID-19 matter in February this year even before the first COVID-19 case was reported on March 11. He added that the first thousand was reported on May 15, second thousand was reported on June 27 and the third on August 30. He added however the fourth, fifth and sixth were reported on October 6th, 13th and 22nd respectively.

He recalled that the government members humiliated him when he talked of the situation. 

“However Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi said that the virus was contained on April 18 with the intention of holding the General election.  

He said that the PCR testing machines had been broken.  The PCR test reports were delayed. There was a shortage of trained staff to do those tests. Ample number of beds was not available at ICUs if the virus spread increased rapidly. 

He said hence the Opposition demanded the government to take quick actions to bring the situation under control. 

“She did not come with me around the country to see if I was wearing the masks,” Premadasa said.