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Govt. accused of undercutting gene sequencing done by Jayewardenepura University

Published

3 years ago

2021/12/23

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government is trying to sabotage the drive to detect the Omicron COVID variant by preventing the University of Sri Jayewardenepura from conducting gene sequencing, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh alleged yesterday.

Kumudesh told The Island that one of the persons with Omicron detected in Sri Lanka was an Indian national and that he was allowed to come in and roam about the country, due to the loopholes in the systems put in place by the Ministry of Health.”When the Health Ministry makes guidelines, they don’t think about controlling the pandemic. A few people in charge of making these guidelines, act according to their whims and fancies. We have detected a few cases of Omicron but this was because of luck and dedication of lab technologists and the researchers at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura,” he said.

Kumudesh said that although, gene sequencing of the Indian was done, it was a prohibited act according to the guidelines. Technically, unless some senior officers approved it, gene sequencing of individuals leaving the country and those who had been double jabbed was not possible, he said.

“The Indian had been double jabbed and this only proved how ridiculous the guidelines are. To ensure that there will not be future embarrassments, these officials are now trying to cut the University of Sri Jayewardenepura out of the process. They have issued a circular appointing several establishments to carry out gene sequencing in the future,” he said.

Kumudesh said that they had asked health officials to start gene sequencing in state run labs for the past two years.

“We also warned that due to the lax testing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), there is a strong possibility of a new variant of COVID-19 entering the country. We said that even a travel ban would be useless unless the country enhances its testing and surveillance capacities,” Kumudesh said.

The CMLS President said that PCR tests were not conducted on passengers on arrival and that it was likely that even those not fully vaccinated were entering the country. “Gene sequencing in respect of those infected with COVID inside the country was at a minimal level, and therefore, there is no way we can find out whether a new variant has entered the country and spread until it is too late.”

“There are two state-of-the-art labs at the BIA but no tests are done there. We are not ready, at all. Several nations are imposing travel bans on travellers from South Africa and the region. Perhaps, we should follow suit. However, the fact that we don’t test those coming in means that even a travel ban might be useless,” he said.

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Second lot of luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat sold

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

The second phase of the auction to sell luxury and decommissioned vehicles owned by the Presidential Secretariat was successfully concluded today (15 May), with the auction taking place as scheduled.

A total of 26 vehicles, previously allocated to former Ministers and the former President, to their advisors and staff appointed under Article 41(1) of the Constitution during their tenure, were listed for sale. Out of these, 17 vehicles were successfully sold today.

The auctioned vehicles included:

1 BMW car
2 Ford Everest SUVs
1 Hyundai Terracan SUV
2 Land Rover SUVs
1 Mitsubishi Montero
3 Nissan Patrol vehicles
2 Nissan brand cars
1 Porsche Cayenne
5 SsangYong Rexton SUVs
1 Toyota Land Cruiser Sahara
6 V8 vehicles
1 Mitsubishi Rosa air-conditioned bus

With the aim of reducing government expenditure and promoting fiscal responsibility, a decision was taken to auction the vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

There was a high demand for the purchase of these vehicles and over Rs. 200 million in revenue was generated through their sale at the auction held today.

There was significant interest in the auction, with 108 bidders participating.

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President approves establishment of Anti-Corruption Investigation Units in Provincial Councils and LG Institutions

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has approved the establishment of dedicated anti-corruption investigation units within provincial councils and local government institutions, aiming to combat corruption and administrative inefficiencies. The decision follows a request by provincial governors during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat today (15).

During the meeting, President Disanayake emphasised that provincial governors bear the primary responsibility for driving development initiatives and ensuring accountability within their respective provinces. He noted, “Strengthening governance mechanisms is critical to addressing systemic challenges and achieving equitable progress.”

Among the key decisions taken was the creation of anti-corruption investigation units modelled after similar bodies operating at the ministerial level. These units will be tasked with monitoring financial transactions, investigating irregularities and enforcing transparency in development projects. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to eliminate malpractice in public institutions.

The discussion also highlighted that provincial councils have received three times the financial allocations compared to the previous fiscal year. However, governors raised concerns regarding delays and bureaucratic hurdles in utilising these funds effectively. In response, President Disanayake directed officials to streamline procedures and adopt results-oriented mechanisms to accelerate infrastructure development.

Persistent obstacles in upgrading provincial infrastructure such as road networks, healthcare facilities and utility services, were also discussed. The President pledged to implement practical solutions to address these challenges and urged governors to prioritise projects that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.
The Governors further stressed the need for improved coordination between provincial councils and central ministries to avoid duplication of efforts. Acknowledging these concerns, President Disanayake underlined the importance of collaborative governance to ensure efficient resource allocation.

“While increased funding is a positive step, its prudent management is non-negotiable. Provincial authorities must ensure every rupee is accounted for and spent efficiently,” he asserted.

The meeting was attended by several senior officials, including Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, Kapila Janaka Bandara, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Provincial Governors: Hanif Yusuf (Western Province), Sarath Bandara Samarasinghe Abayakon (Central Province), Bandula Harischandra (Southern Province), Tissa Kumarasiri Warnasuriya (North Western Province), Wasantha Kumara Wimalasiri (North Central Province), Nagalingam Vedanayagam (Northern Province), Prof. Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera (Eastern Province), Champa Janaki Rajaratne (Sabaragamuwa Province) and Kapila Jayasekara (Uva Province).

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Seven new envoys to Sri Lanka present credentials to the President

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

Seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (15) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The new ambassadors represent the State of Israel, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the Kingdom of Denmark.

Accordingly:

* Mr. Mariano Agustin Caucino has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Argentine Republic, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Stella Nkomo has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Zimbabwe, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Reuven Javier Azar has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the State of Israel, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Nina P. Cringlet has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of the Philippines, based in Dhaka.
* Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Republic of Tajikistan, based in New Delhi.
* Ms. Rath Many has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, based in New Delhi.
* Mr. Rasmus Kristensen has been appointed as the Ambassador-designate of the Kingdom of Denmark, based in New Delhi.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also present at the occasion.