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Don’t be overconfident after receiving jab, SLMA tells public

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/22

The public must not think vaccination ensures their safety one hundred percent, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President, Dr Padma Gunaratne says.

Dr. Gunaratne said so addressing the media on Tuesday. She said the National Hospital, Colombo, treated about 200 new cases a day and about 100 of those needed oxygen support, and the current situation was similar to that before the imposition of travel restrictions.

Dr. Gunaratne said that the silver lining was the rapid pace of the vaccination drive. Sri Lanka was getting the best vaccines used in the world and the vaccination was done at a very rapid pace. However, Sri Lankans should not fully depend on the vaccine alone and should not think that they could lead normal lives after inoculation.

On the flipside, Sri Lanka was now dealing with the Delta variant, which was more contagious, the SLMA President said.

“30% of the cases detected in Colombo have delta, which is highly contagious and soon this percentage could rise to 50. Soon Delta will become the most dominant variant in the country. The question is how long will this take? Prof. Neelika Malawige’s lab doesn’t have the capacity to conduct countrywise studies. They can sequence 200 samples a month in selected areas. So, we can’t say how many Delta cases are there in SL but when we look at the world we know how fast Delta spreads,” Dr. Gunaratne said.

“Some people think that the country will be safe within eight weeks because of the pace of the vaccination. This too is a myth, she said. The vaccines will give some protection, and is our long term solution”, Dr. Gunaratne said.

For full protection of a vaccine, one needed to take both jabs and in Sri Lanka only 8% of people had got both jabs. Therefore most were not secure. 25% of people had got at least one jab but it was not enough, she said.

“One needs to get a second jab and then it will take two more weeks for antibodies to form. However even if we get both jabs, we can get the disease and then spread. There will always be new variants as well. However, we are very pleased with government fast tracking vaccination,” she said.

Given that the fourth wave would be dominated by the Delta variant elderly and people with chronic diseases should be especially vigilant, Dr. Gunaratne said. All elderly persons and those with chronic diseases should get vaccinated.

“However, even if they get both jabs they are still in high risk categories. We urge them to be safe. Don’t get caught in the fourth wave,” she warned.

Dr. Gunaratne said that the number of actual daily cases should be around 10,000 because on an average 50 people were dying. Sri Lanka needed to focus on selected restrictions, vaccination and implementing health guidelines to ensure lives were protected while the economy was kept humming.

“People are against heavy restrictions, they want to work. But when we open up and try to hit a balance, numbers will go up. We have to tell people this. The people must know the government has opened up sectors not because there is 100% safety but because the government knows the importance of livelihood. People should know that weddings, religious places, cinemas can lead to clusters. They must be careful when they are in crowds,” Dr. Gunaratne said.

Given that the number of cases will rise, the government must strengthen the initiatives to treat asymptotic cases at home. If asymptomatic cases can be treated at home, there will be enough room for moderate and serious cases in hospitals. Also, the COVID-19 cases with chronic diseases must be hospitalised, she said.

“Some people tell us that most developed countries are opening up and ask us why we aren’t opening up. They say that Singapore is open. We are not like Singapore that can do as many PCR tests as they want, they can trace contacts easily and fast through apps and they have other ways of managing the virus. We don’t have that here. So we have to be more careful,” Dr. Gunaratne said.

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Navy intercepts craft with packages suspected to be narcotics

Published

2 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

A special naval operation at sea led to the interception of a craft with packages suspected to be narcotics.

More details regarding the incident will be released as they become available.

(Navy Media)

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Establish a clean local governance system that utilizes budget allocations transparently for rural development – Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need to create a clean and transparent local governance system that effectively utilizes budget allocations for the development of the rural sector.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Friday (11), while addressing a public gathering held in Karainagar, Jaffna.

Elaborating further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“This country is rich in cultures and traditions and inherits a proud and prosperous history.

I was deeply moved by the information I received about Karainagar. In 1977, around 80,000 people lived in Karainagar. Unfortunately, today it has dropped to 10,500. What happened to the rest of the people? I also learned that Karainagar is home to some of the most educated and affluent people in the Northern Province. That is remarkable, but the issue is that in order to become educated and affluent, they were forced to leave Karainagar.

Who speaks up for those who could not leave? They are citizens of this country. They are entitled to have equal rights like everyone else does. As the Minister of Education, I looked into the education system in Karainagar. I discovered that there are only two schools offering GCE Advanced Level education, with only two teachers in total. Further, all students who have passed the Grade 5 scholarship exam leave Karainagar to Jaffna for further education.

Throughout the years, there were changes in governments, presidents, national administrations, members of parliament representing this area, local governments, and provincial councils but what have they done to uplift the education of Karainagar?

Education increases the value and prosperity of people. Education is vital as such. However, for decades, the right to quality education has been denied in this region. In addition, there is a severe water issue in Karainagar. Access to clean drinking water which is a basic necessity, comes at a cost to the people in this area. Various projects launched to provide drinking water have never been completed due to corruption.

Further, roads, transport, and many other services have deteriorated due to corruption at the local level. It has been 16 years since the war ended yet what has changed since then? Why have these issues not yet been resolved? That is why the upcoming local government elections are crucial. Problems at the local level must be addressed by local government institutions.

About a month ago, the first budget of the government has been passed.

A significant allocation has been made from all local government accounts for education, health, public welfare, infrastructure, and public transportation but these funds must be spent wisely.

For that, local governments should be governed by clean and corruption-free environment. Therefore, in this election, we must elect people who are free from corruption and dedicated to the purpose of serving the public. In 2024, the people of this country made a decision to change the political culture. On May 6, they will once again have the opportunity to make a thoughtful decision for the betterment of their villages.”

During the event, Minister of Fisheries . Ramalingam Chandrasekar also shared his views:

“Today, the political morality we expected for has taken root in this country. Unlike the governance of previous governments, the representatives of the current government are not exercising the power to enrich themselves and some even do not hesitate to return their salaries for serving the general public.

Today, the public service receives higher salaries, and the government is taking possible decision for the benefit of the people.”

The event was attended by Members of Parliament Shri Bhavan and Ilayankumar, along with other public representatives and candidates contesting in the local government elections.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Warm Weather Advisory issued for Eastern and Uva provinces and Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts.

Published

9 hours ago

2025/04/12

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 12th April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and Uva provinces and Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the table below and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.