News
120,000 people who got Sputnik vaccine awaiting second dose in Kandy – SJB
By Saman Indrajith
Around 120,000 people in Kandy and adjacent areas who had received the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine are in quandary as the government cannot procure the vaccine to give the booster doses to them, says the main Opposition SJB.
Addressing the media at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo, Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that as at the end of May this year, the government had inoculated around 150,000 people with the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine. “Thereafter, they gave a second dose to 15,000. The government is starting to vaccinate another batch of 15,000 persons with the second dose of the Sputnik V vaccine today. So, we have an assurance that 30,000 people there will get their second dose of the vaccine. There is a balance of 120,000 people who got the first jab. The problem is that the government would not be able to get the second dose for them as nowhere in the world the second dose of Sputnik V is produced. Countries that had produced the vaccine no longer produce the second dose of Sputnik V. Neither Russia nor India is producing them any longer. It is clear now that the government knew of this situation when they gave the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine to people in Kandy. That was why they collected signatures of people to a document so that they cannot demand the second dose of the vaccine. The registration and certification documents given for filling and signing by the public in Kandy stated in Sinhala: ‘I am agreeable even to take only the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine. Only those who had signed and agreed had been given the first dose. So the government knowingly put these people in jeopardy and harm’s way. Now people demand to know when they would get the second jab and what would happen to them if the government is not able to give the second dose of the vaccine. When the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine was given it was said that the second dose would be given in 21 days. Thereafter the government got its experts to tell people that the first dose would be effective for three months. We demand to know from the government what it is going to do with those 120,000 people. What alternative does it have if it cannot procure the second dose for them,” queried the chief opposition whip.
SJB National List MP Mayantha Dissanayake also addressed the press.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Thunukkai, Olumadu, Oddusudan, Kumulamunei, Chemmalei at about 12:11 noon. today [13]
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 14th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Thunukkai, Olumadu, Oddusudan, Kumulamunei, Chemmalei at about 12:11 noon.
The Ceylon Electricity Board has appealed to all rooftop solar owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar systems during day time hours (until 3pm each day) from April 13th to 21st to prevent partial power outages or nationwide blackouts which may occur.
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.
The Prime Minister said that:
“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.
Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.
While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?
Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.
On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.
The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.
Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.
Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”
The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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