News

Expert warns overcrowded public transport recipe for fresh spike in pandemic

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

… urge public and private firms to provide transport to their workers

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Both public and private companies should immediately provide adequate transport for their staff if the country was to avoid another spike in COVID-19 and a costly lockdown, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Management Consultant Dr. Sanjaya Perera told The Island yesterday.

Commenting on congestion in buses, Dr. Perera said that it was obvious that most companies had not taken ‘work from home’ initiatives seriously.

“Buses are overcrowded and this is a dangerous situation. After 18 months of costly COVID control measures, we have learnt nothing. If public and private sectors insist that they want to bring employees back to office en masse, they must provide them with safe transport options,” he said.

Dr. Perera added that he had suggested to several top private companies to cut down on subsidies on meals and invest the money in transport. He noted that most institutions provided free refreshments several times in a day, but also canteens in various institutions were highly subsidised.

“However, since the beginning of the pandemic, most office workers are wary of eating out. They are bring food from home and I know that a lot of food is wasted. Perhaps, these institutions can reduce the subsidy on meals and invest funds so saved in transport for their employees,” he said.

Dr. Perera was also critical of the government circular that discouraged people in the same office from carpooling. While there is a risk in sharing the same vehicle, the risk is far lower than travelling in overcrowded buses and vans, he said.

“The problem here is that we are relying solely on the vaccine. Surely, vaccination is of great importance. However, countries that have successfully dealt with COVID have done so through good practices and protocols. We have had more than enough time to figure out what to do but we have not cared to do so.”

All News Advertisement

News

SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

9 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

President of SJF Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi hands over a memento to Dr Alok Kumar Mishra Joint Secretary of the Association of Indian Universities

Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.

A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.

The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.

News

Governor of Gujarat met with Sri Lanka PM to discuss exposition of Devnimori Relics

Published

10 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.

These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.

The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.

The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

INS GHARIAL makes port call in Colombo

Published

17 hours ago

2026/02/6

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.

Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.

During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.

The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.