News

Appeal to delay pregnancy: Not official stand says Dr. Sudarshini

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

‘Decision in the hands of Expert Committee chaired by DGHS’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle says that the Expert Committee on Covid-19 will have to decide on making an official request for women not to get pregnant for about a year.

Dr. Fernandopulle said so when The Island sought her opinion on Dr. Harsha Atapattu’s appeal to the newly married and others to delay getting pregnant in view of the increased threat posed by the raging Covid-19 epidemic.

Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services (DGHS) heads the Expert Committee. Dr. Gunawardena didn’t answer his phone.

Dr. Atapattu made an unprecedented appeal at the regular media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau on Wednesday (8). Dr. Atapattu addressed the media along with Health Ministry spokesperson Dr. Hemantha Herath. He urged family planning during the interim period as the epidemic posed a severe threat to both mother and child. Dr. Herath too didn’t answer his phone.

The appeal was made in the wake of authorities placing the number of pregnant women infected by Covid-19 at 5,500 and the number of fatalities from the virus in that group at 41.

Asked to explain her stand as the State Minister in charge of Covid, who was also a medical specialist, the Gampaha District lawmaker said Dr. Atapattu’s appeal should be examined against the backdrop of the pregnant being at a high risk of contracting Covid-19, especially the Delta variant.

“Maternal death rate has gone up due to Covid-19 as immunity is weak during pregnancy,” Dr. Fernandopulle said.

Responding to another query, Dr. Fernandopulle emphasized that she shouldn’t be misconstrued as being supportive of the appeal.

The State Minister said that she made her assessment on scientific facts to save the life of the mother and baby. Questioned whether she believed the crisis could be overcome by family planning methods, the State Minister said that the issue at hand was whether things would improve in a year.

Dr. Fernandopulle said that she was not aware whether the issue had been discussed at the ministry level before Wednesday’s announcement was made at the Health Promotion Bureau.

So far, Covid-19 has caused nearly 11,000 deaths.

Acknowledging the merits in the appeal, Dr. Fernandopulle emphasized that it would be far more important to control the virus and its rapid spread. Asserting that it was an individual doctor’s opinion, Dr. Fernandopulle said that the opinion of the Sri Lanka Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ body too was important in that regard.

The Island sought views of several persons in the health sector regarding Dr. Atapattu’s appeal. They asserted that though Covid-19 posed quite a threat and a challenge, it wouldn’t be realistic to advise families or couples not to have babies.

WHO says there is no evidence to suggest that pregnant women are at a higher risk than the general population, of getting severely ill from the virus.

According to WHO, because a woman’s immune system undergoes changes during pregnancy, it is crucial that she takes good preventative measures to protect herself from illness, including COVID-19.

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News

Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

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]

News

Focus on streamlining Research and Development activities related to defence sector

Published

3 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.

Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.

The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.

Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.

During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.

The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.

The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.

[PMD]