News

Don decries failure of authorities to keep country ticking despite lockdowns

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/4

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Eighteen months had passed since the first lockdown but the government had not put a system in place for public servants to work from home and ensure service delivery, Prof Manuj Weerasinghe, Head of the Department of Community Medicine, University of Colombo said yesterday.

The government should now at least use the current lockdown to introduce a system for government employees to work remotely in the long term, he said.

Prof. Weerasinghe said that many public servants still worked maintaining files and digitalisation was still not widespread.

“It has been 18 months since the first lockdown, and we still don’t have a system where government servants can work from home. If we had started the digitization process and worked from home protocols in 2020, a lockdown wouldn’t affect the service delivery of the government. In fact, the government could have saved tens of millions every day by keeping most of its employees at home. In New Zealand they have the systems in place and they immediately shutdown the country after they found one delta case, but the government sector didn’t shut down,” he said.

A few months ago, the government decided to bring back all government sector workers to office and there was a massive congestion in public transport and that too probably contributed to the spread of the virus, Prof. Weerasinghe said adding that once the current lockdown was over and offices resumed, buses and trains would be packed, which in turn would lead to more COVID cases.

“The transport system is a big problem. We had 18 months to set up a working public transport system and we had done nothing. Once the lockdown ends and buses are on the road, you will see that we are back at square one. It’s as if the last 18 months never happened,” he said.

Prof. Weerasinghe said the government as well as the general public believed that once the vaccination was over, the country could go back to what it was before COVID-19. Thus, there was no interest in setting up any system. Taking the example of problems in the food distribution system, Prof. Weerasinghe said that there was a crisis in food distribution during COVID-19 because our cooperative system had collapsed.

“Because of this we encouraged mobile trucks to distribute food. When the country was shut for a few months in 2020, a system of distribution was established where essential items were brought near people’s homes. When the country was opened the system died a natural death. When we had to shut down again, it took a few days to set this system up anew. Again, we see some mobile vendors on the road, are we going to let this system die once we lift the lockdown? Or are we going to formalize this so that people don’t need to move about much?” he asked.

Prof. Weerasinghe added that many countries in the world had learnt from COVID-19 and had changed their systems to be more resilient. A number of protocols, from introducing new technologies to remote working, had been introduced to make the system more efficient and resilient beyond the pandemic, he said.

“The world won’t go back to 2019. Neither should we. We must look at establishing systems where essential items are delivered home and promoting remote work. We must get along with the times,” he said.

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News

Navy conducts shipwreck expedition

Published

3 hours ago

2025/03/20

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a successful shipwreck expedition from 10 to 17 Mar 25, focusing on historically significant shipwrecks located in the sea area off the coast of Colombo.

The expedition was carried out to document the current state of numerous shipwrecks lying beneath the waves, off Colombo. The survey included the Coal Wreck, Chief Dragon Car Carrier, MV Astoria, MT Nilgiri, Thermopylae Sierra, MV Pecheur Breton, Taprobane East Wreck, SS Worcestershire, Toilet Barge, SS Perseus and some other unidentified wrecks.

Navy divers explored a series of shipwrecks, including the historically significant SS Worcestershire and SS Perseus, both sunk during World War I. Beyond their historical value, the wrecks of the Chief Dragon Car Carrier and Thermopylae Sierra are now functioning as thriving artificial reefs, providing habitats for a variety of marine species.

A total of 14 diving officers and 15 diving sailors participated in this intensive shipwreck expedition. They used both atmospheric air and nitrox air mix as breathing agents, depending on depth and dive duration. This enhanced safety and efficiency, particularly for deeper and more complex dives.

As part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, the Sri Lanka Navy has extended its all-out support to preserve the nation’s maritime heritage, while promoting the island as an appealing tourist destination. These efforts also reflect the Navy’s archaeological value through similar initiatives.

News

Health professionals’ strikes are unacceptable despite the largest salary increase given by a government as at date – President

Published

8 hours ago

2025/03/20

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that the trade union actions by healthcare professionals cannot be justified, considering that the largest salary increase in history granted by a government without any demands or pressure from professional associations has already been implemented.

The President made these remarks during a meeting held on Wednesday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat with the Public Services United Nurses Union (PSUNU).

President Anura Kumara Disanayake highlighted that despite operating within a constrained economic framework, the government has prioritized increasing the basic salaries of public sector employees in this year’s budget. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the public service, attract skilled professionals, and ensure the sustainability of the sector.

The President stated that salaries have been increased under six key categories in the budget. These include a minimum increase of Rs. 15,000 in the basic salary, an increment in overtime and holiday allowances, an 80% increase in salary increments, an upward revision of pension benefits in line with the revised total salary, and an increase in the taxable income threshold.

Officials from the PSUNU expressed their appreciation for the salary increments, highlighting that they have been well received by a significant portion of the public sector workforce. They also brought to the President’s attention the existing challenges within the nursing profession and requested prompt solutions to address these issues.

The meeting was attended by the Chancellor of the University of Colombo, Chief Sanganayaka of Western Province, the Chairman of PSUNU Most Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake along with several officials from the PSUNU.

News

VIP security: MR’s plea for restoration of military contingent dismissed

Published

9 hours ago

2025/03/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

Mahinda

The Supreme Court yesterday (19) dismissed former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s plea for restoration of his security contingent, consisting of military personnel, including commandos. The SC bench comprising Preethi Padman Surasena, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhana dismissed the petition without taking it up for hearing.

The former President, in a rights petition, challenged the National People’s Power (NPP) government’s decision to reduce his security contingent to 60 personnel. The war-winning President alleged that the reduction had been done without proper evaluation.

The SC took up the case on February 6 and reconvened yesterday to review the petition.

Former Minister and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry appeared for the former President who filed the case on January 24.

Members of the Cabinet were named as respondents.

The former President alleged that his fundamental rights had been violated by depriving him of security provided by the military.

Rajapaksa, who played a key role in ending the country’s nearly three-decade-long war, expressed concerns about ongoing threats to his life, including potential terrorist threats.

The former President requested the Court to determine that his fundamental human rights were violated by the arbitrary reduction of his security contingent.