News

SLMA Head warns of impending health system collapse

Published

5 years ago

2021/08/7

Rapid increase in high-flow oxygen-dependent Covid patients

COVID-19 deaths would rise rapidly in the near future as the number of patients who needed high-flow oxygen had increased rapidly, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President, Dr. Padma Gunaratne said yesterday.

Dr. Gunaratne said that members of the general public needed to act more responsibly to prevent the collapse of the health sector. During the first two waves of the pandemic, those who developed symptoms and those who needed high-flow oxygen were relatively low. However, during the last two weeks those who needed oxygen support had risen rapidly, Dr. Gunaratne said.

‘This is why the Delta variant is scary. Soon, the demand for oxygen will also exceed the supply. Then, we will see an increase in the number of deaths. I think everyone now knows that hospitals are running out of space and that health staff too have contracted the virus. On average, a person who dies from COVID-19 complications will remain in hospital for at least two weeks. As the number of such people increases, the health sector will not be able to cope with the case load.”

Deputy Director-General Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said that in the past few months they had tried to increase the oxygen storage capacity in hospitals. Large storage tanks had been given to all major hospitals, and the Ministry had also established in-house plants in main hospitals to generate oxygen.

“These units will also be provided to rural hospitals. About 3,000 Breathing Aid Devices have been provided to multiple hospitals in the country. However, as the number of patients, who need high-flow oxygen, rises, we will run out of capacity,” he said.

Meanwhile, State Minister, Professor Channa Jayasumana told The Island that they would start importing oxygen from India and Singapore in the coming two weeks. He added that there were two Sri Lankan companies that could supply about 77 and 44 tonnes of oxygen a day to hospitals.

“Cabinet approval has been obtained for adopting emergency measures to address the rising demand for oxygen. This was discussed in Parliament, too and we will start making emergency purchases soon,” he said.

All News Advertisement

News

Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.

In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.

Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure

News

Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.

News

Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/29

Priyan

Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.

Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.

Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief