News
AMS: Proper ventilation in buildings as important as washing hands

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Proper ventilation in buildings is as important as washing hands and other COVID-19 prevention measures, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr. LakKumar Fernando says.
Dr. Fernando said: “Virus load plays a part in the transmission of the virus. Thus, the chance of infection is low if there is a way of diluting the virus, killing it or dispersing it,” he said. Even if people gathered in an enclosed space for a longer period of time, wearing masks, they still can get infected as the duration of exposure also matters.”
The AMS President added that most offices now operated in air conditioned enclosures and that increases the chances of transmitting the virus.
“If we can open windows and doors, the virus will be dispersed and get killed off outside possibly due to heat and humidity before it can re-circulate. Given that we might have to live with COVID19 for years to come , we need to make engineering and architectural adjustments to our buildings,” Dr. Fernando said, adding that Sri Lanka was at an advantageous position compared to countries with colder climates.
The AMS President urged the government to introduce guidelines on ventilating office spaces and devising a mechanism to check if the guidelines were followed. “Having 10 – 15 people working in a room is as bad as having the same number of people partying. We must also encourage hotels and convention centres to increase ventilation once we reopen. We must make these adjustments as a part of the new normal.”
News
Employees’ Trust Fund Act No. 46 of 1980 to be amended

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies to instruct the legal draftsman to prepare a bill to amend the Employees’ Trust Provident Fund Act No. 46 of 1980 enabling to provide health insurance similar to Agrahara health insurance to private sector employees.
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Cabinet nod for MOU between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives on Cultural Cooperation

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural affairs to sign a cultural cooperation agreement between the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. (The draft agreement has received the clearance of the Attorney General and the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
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Outgoing Bulgarian Ambassador calls on the President

Mrs. Eleonora Dimitrova, Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (06), before departing for her home country upon completing her tenure in Sri Lanka.
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