News
Dr. Sudarshini believes Covid-19 vaccine should be made mandatory
By Shamindra Ferdinando
State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said that the Covid-19 vaccine should be made mandatory for all Sri Lankans.
Dr. Fernandopulle said so when The Island asked her whether the country struggling to cope up with the raging Covid-19 epidemic should introduce laws to make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for all. The State Minister’s view was sought in the wake of Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament Narendra Fernando’s declaration that MPs as well as the parliamentary staff could opt not to take the vaccine.
The Sgt.-at-Arms said that about a dozen lawmakers of the 225-member Parliament hadn’t received the vaccine though arrangements were made for them to receive jab at the Military Hospital, Narahenpita or Parliament.
Sri Lanka uses AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Moderna, Sputnik and Pfizer in its vaccination programme with China produced Sinopharm being the major vaccine available here accounting for about 80 per cent of all anti-covid vaccinations.
Responding to another query, Dr. Fernandopulle said that the Covid Task Force chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would have to decide on making the vaccination compulsory. Dr. Fernandopulle stressed the importance of receiving whatever the available vaccine.
The Island learns that the issue had been brought to the notice of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday. Authoritative sources said that the government was convinced by mid-September a significant number of Sri Lankans would receive both vaccines thanks to tireless efforts made by health workers and the armed forces.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is of the view that instead of a ‘lockdown’, stringent measures were necessary to control people’s movements. Sources said that in spite of a spate of reports pertaining to impending ‘lockdown’ the top decision makers ruled that out.
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) lawmakers Mujibur Rahman (Colombo District) and Rohini Kaviratne (Matale district) said that the vaccination emerged as the primary safeguard against the epidemic. Therefore, the people had no option but to receive vaccines depending on the availability, they said, urging the government to take the overall situation into consideration without depending entirely on the vaccination programme.
MP Rahman said that he received the vaccine at an SLAF base recently in Colombo, whereas MP Kaviratne said she received hers at the Parliament. Lawmaker Rahman said that he had been compelled to delay taking the vaccine on medical advice. The former UNP MP tested Covid positive on May 19th.
Lawmaker Kaviratne emphasized that the government was answerable to the people. Referring to recent declaration by Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella that once the government vaccinated the people the rest would be up to the gods, MP Kaviratne said that the SLPP received two mandates in 2019 and 2020 at the presidential and parliamentary polls, respectively. Therefore, it would be the SLPP government’s responsibility, she said, urging government spokespersons not to involve the powers above in the matter.
The MP recalled how at the onset of the Covid triggered crisis the government promoted so-called miracle covid tonic known as Dammika Paniya and engaged in all sorts of superstitious nonsense at the public expense.
Responding to another query, MP Kaviratne said that she received Sinopharm along with some members of the Parliamentary staff. “I never bothered about any particular vaccine though I delayed taking it until the vaccination got underway in Matale district,” MP Kaviratne said.
Meanwhile, Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena has called for an urgent meeting on Monday (16) under Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena’s leadership to discuss the current situation. Sources speculated that with the increased threat posed by Covid-19 the party leaders were likely to cancel scheduled sittings beginning August 17 (Tuesday) to Friday.
News
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.
By Norman Palihawadane
The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.
The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.
The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.
The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.
The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.
Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.
Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.
The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.
The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.
The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.
During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.
Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.
Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.
The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.
Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.
Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.
The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Uva and Eastern provinces.
Harshitha’s composed knock seals Sri Lanka’s semi-final berth
‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban
Dengue death toll rises to 73
Ranil accuses govt. of undermining democracy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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