News

‘Funds available, but Health Ministry delaying procurement of equipment’

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/26

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Health Ministry bureaucracy had not taken steps to purchase equipment worth Rs. 4 billion, which were vital for COVID-19 eradication, although the government had allocated funds two months back, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), Ravi Kumudesh alleged yesterday.

The Ministry officials had taken steps to make COVID-19 eradication measures taken by government agencies as ineffective as possible, Kumudesh charged.

“Since 2020, several senior health officials repeatedly discouraged PCR testing by state owned labs. They ensured that we did not have the ability to do gene sequencing and they had repeatedly not purchased equipment on time although the Treasury had allocated funds.”

In June 2021, the government had allocated Rs. 4 billion for the purchase of 20 types of equipment, including those needed to conduct PCR tests, increase oxygen delivering capacity, etc. However, the Health Ministry had not placed the orders yet, the CMLS President said.

“The government needs to find out whether these officials are trying to help their cronies in the private sector to benefit from these tenders. The government has allocated money for ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen cylinders, mobile PCR testing machines, advanced PCR reagents. The Health Ministry however has done nothing to complete the tender although two months have gone by.”

Kumudesh noted that the government had approved the procurement of those items from companies that could provide them quickly. Thus, the prospective suppliers were asked to place bids within five days since the tender was called.

“It’s been two months. We hear that some senior ministry officials are waiting for some of their private sector associates to import equipment and register them with the NMRA. They will go ahead with the tender then,” he alleged.

Kumudesh added that due to the deliberate delay, the health sector was facing shortages of many essential items to deal with the pandemic. “The drop in testing, caused by the lack of equipment, has already given the wrong picture of the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka and the delay in purchasing the equipment could possibly lead to a fourth wave.”

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News

SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

7 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

9 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

16 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.