News

Dr. Jasinghe accommodated in Covid-19 consultative process as infections spike

Published

5 years ago

2020/11/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

Amidst an overwhelmed health system

by SURESH PERERA

In the backdrop of the alarming spike in the dreaded Covid-19 contagion across the country, the move by the government to bring back to the fold Consultant Surgeon, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, was termed a “step in the right direction” by medical officials, as an overwhelmed health system struggles to tackle the raging pandemic.

Even at this late stage, it was a wise decision to seek the expertise of Dr. Jasinghe, widely credited for spearheading the thrust to control the transmission of the life-threatening virus when it first erupted in Sri Lanka in March this year, health officials said.

The move to accommodate the senior medical administrator in the government’s coronavirus preventive process was announced by Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi in Parliament on Wednesday.

The exit of Dr. Jasinghe as Director-General of Health Services (DGHS), ostensibly on a “promotion” as Secretary to the Environment Ministry, drew heavy flak, with questions being raised over the irrelevancy of his medical knowledge and expertise in an alien institution, particularly at a time the country was facing the worst health emergency in its history.

With the outbreak of the Covid-19 cluster in Minuwangoda, it was simple logic that the virus – described as a new virulent strain with a bigger viral load – could spread to the Peliyagoda fish market situated within the same (Gampaha) district, health officials said.

With hundreds of consumers, wholesalers and retailers from Colombo and its suburbs thronging the complex, in addition to scores of lorries transporting loads of fish from many parts of the country calling over there on a daily basis, the Peliyagoda fish market was a virtual ticking time bomb waiting to explode, they asserted.

It was a sitting duck, they opined, but those in the health sector could not foresee the potential threat and warn the government that the highly contagious virus could have literally “come walking to the crowded Peliyagoda fish market” resulting in a country-wide spread with disastrous consequences.

“The country is now paying a heavy price for lack of foresight or rather common sense to adopt basic precautionary measures in a bid to avert a full-blown crisis leading to a devastating fallout”, they remarked.

Right people in the right places is the answer to serious efforts to stem the potent Covid-19 tide, the officials suggested, adding that tail-waggers should be kept at bay at least until the country overcomes the critical threat, which has disrupted lives and ruined the national economy.

Welcoming Dr. Jasinghe’s return to the Covid-19 control mechanism, they said the folly of edging out medical experts with proven track records has left the country tottering under the grave threat of a pandemic which has swept across many districts in the country.

The Gampaha district, where the second wave of the virus erupted with the Minuwangoda cluster, saw a relative dip in the number of infections over the past week, but the discovery of 111 asymptomatic patients on Wednesday has caused fresh concern over a possible resurgence, medical sources said.

Meanwhile, Mayor Rosy Senanayake called for more PCR testing of people living in areas still under lockdown within Colombo municipal limits.

There’s no purpose in keeping these people confined if there are no tests done as the whole idea is to ensure they are not carriers of the virus, she told The Sunday Island.

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Asian Development Bank to support new education reforms

Published

1 hour ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

The representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have expressed their full support for the new education reforms undertaken by the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

These remarks were made during a discussion held on Friday (June 20) at the Parliament premises between the Prime Minister and Mr. Takafumi Kadono, ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka, along with other ADB representatives

During the discussion, the Prime Minister explained the steps which have already been taken for the new education reforms and for the implementation of the new reforms in the upcoming year.

The Prime Minister also elaborated on future plans of the government regarding the preparation of new curriculum, development of human resources in the education sector, improvement of infrastructure, and initiatives in general education, vocational training, higher education, and early childhood development.

The Asian Development Bank conveyed their satisfaction with the new education reforms and reaffirmed their commitment to continue supporting the development of education sector including teacher training, infrastructure upgrades, and the advancement of digital technology.

The meeting was attended by ADB representatives, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Training Nalaka Kaluwawa, and other officials from the Ministry of Education.

News

Buddhist philosophy can restore spiritual life to a society consumed by wealth and power – President

Published

1 hour ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

The centenary inauguration ceremony of the historic Sri Dalada Poson Perahera at the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya in Kurunegala was held on Saturday (21) afternoon with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The annual Sri Dalada Poson Perahera, which commenced in 1925, marked its 100th anniversary this year. To commemorate this milestone, a special commemorative stamp was issued.

President Disanayake presented awards and certificates to students who excelled in various competitions held parallel with the centenary celebrations. In his address, the President stressed that no society, regardless of its material progress, can thrive without spiritual and moral foundations. He noted that a nation’s cultural and social development must be rooted in ethical and spiritually aware citizens.

Highlighting the relevance of Buddhist Jataka stories and cultural traditions, the President remarked that these offer a valuable foundation for reviving spiritual life in a society increasingly consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power. He added that Buddhism teaches rulers to govern with compassion and accountability, values that are unfortunately eroding in modern times. He called for collective efforts to restore these cultural roots and to foster a spiritually enriched society.

Responding to critics, the President stated that despite claims that the current government would abandon such traditions, the day’s celebration clearly demonstrated its commitment to preserving and promoting Sri Lanka’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The ceremony was attended by Most Venerable Niyangoda Sri Vijithasiri Thera, Anunayaka of the Malwatu Chapter; Venerable Anamaduwe Saddharmakeerthi Sri Rathnapala Buddharakkhitha Thera, Chief Incumbent of the Athkanda Rajamaha Viharaya; North Western Province Governor Tissa Varnasuriya; Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi; State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Prof. Chandana Abeyratne; State Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; and Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela, along with a large gathering of devotees and officials.

News

All services of the President’s Fund officially launched at Divisional Secretariat level

Published

2 hours ago

2025/06/22

Priyan

The official launch of providing all services of the President’s Fund through Divisional Secretariats across the island took place on Saturday (21) morning at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat.

Coinciding with the launch, a special training workshop for officials in the Northern Province was held at the same venue, as part of a series of workshops aimed at decentralising the President’s Fund operations to grassroots level.

Since 7 February this year, applications for medical assistance from the President’s Fund have been accepted through all Divisional Secretariats across the country. Following the successful implementation of this programme, steps have now been taken to extend digital access to all other services offered by the Fund.

Accordingly, the public can now apply online for a range of services including poverty alleviation assistance, educational scholarships, recognition for academic excellence, support for individuals with special needs, aid for children affected by the human-elephant conflict, recognition for national and public service and emergency or disaster relief. This marks the first time in the Fund’s 47-year history that services, previously limited to Colombo, are accessible via any Divisional Secretariat nationwide.

This advancement follows a decision made by the Board of Governors of the President’s Fund, chaired by the President. It is expected to improve efficiency, expand access to a wider population and minimise opportunities for misuse.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President and Secretary of the President’s Fund, Mr Roshan Gamage, briefed attendees on the Fund’s responsibilities and range of services.

As part of the government’s digitalisation drive, the official rollout of online services of the President’s Fund also took place during the event.

Minister of fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources Ramalingam Chandraseker, Northern Province Governor Nagalingam Vethanayahan, the Kilinochchi and Jaffna District Secretaries, other senior government officials from the Northern Province, regional officers of the President’s Fund and its administrative staff were present at the occasion.

(PMD)