News

Have we got our economic and Covid-19 priorities right?

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/18

Sri Lanka has over 50% living below the poverty line, and the malnutrition rate is estimated to be 18%. It is obvious that first priority should be given to relief of hunger. Then to fighting the COVID 19 epidemic, a health care problem. It is after relieving these that money should be devoted to infrastructure like highways. But in Sri Lanka it appears to be the other way round.

Health care is a priority, but even on this aspect, are we acting sensibly? In the Daily News of 15.07.21, the Director of the Health Promotion Bureau is quoted as saying that the number of COVID 19 cases has dropped to 6.2% on the basis of random PCR tests, from an earlier figure of 10%.

The Epidemiology Unit has carried out about 7,000 random PCR tests daily covering all MOH divisions in the country. The best public health measure is the observance of the three health rules – wearing masks, observing social distancing and washing the hands with soap and water after touching anything touched by others. This has been going on from the outset and is being successful at little or no cost.

As nearly 80% of COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic or extremely mild, they develop immunity and do not need any vaccination. Vaccination is only indicated to the vulnerable group – elderly (over 60 years), those with serious underlying diseases e.g. respiratory, cardiac, diabetes mellitus, cancers etc. This group of about 20% of the population should be vaccinated, commencing with the oldest age group, as they are prone to develop and some of them can die. The occasional occurrence of a case in a child fits into the pattern associated with several virus diseases called Kawasaki syndrome. As such, there is no need to immunize children, taken as a group.

An intensive program is now underway to vaccinate all those above 30 years in every district in Sri Lanka. 36% of this target population has received the first dose already and 21% both doses. A large mass of expensive vaccines from different countries are being rushed into the country as if we are faced with a life or death struggle.

By the end of June, Sri Lanka had only 277,519 cases with 3,574 deaths (1.4%). A social scientist visited Kanatte cemetery a few days ago and inquired whether there had been an increase in deaths since the COVID outbreak began and she was able to confirm that no such spike had occurred. Why then this great hurry to vaccinate? Even in the USA, no doctors and other health care workers have died of COVID- 19.

The vaccine industry which is in decline has seen a golden opportunity to expand and profit. An intensive campaign was carried out in the USA to frighten the people and to compel them to take the vaccine, which had already been mass produced. It also provided a good opportunity to test new varieties of vaccines e.g. the mRNA vaccines (like the Pfizer and Moderna COVID 19 vaccines from the USA), which are really the introduction of genetic material to get our body cells to produce the spike protein alone of the virus, not the whole virus.

As we all know, the introduction of foreign genetic material is considered to be unsafe and future outcomes are uncertain. That is why the European Union refused to import genetically modified (GM) foods from South America. There were campaigns in the USA questioning the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccines. Sales in the USA and West have not been great, as questions have been raised by scientists.

In North America and Europe, it was because of the big spike of cases, specially approaching winter that the COVID-19 phobia gained ground, and “emergency use” was resorted to. There is no such emergency situation in Sri Lanka. Further, Asian and African countries that have used BCG as a protection against TB have been shown to have benefited from it and have little COVID 19.

The vaccine is also expensive and many people in the USA refused to buy it, specially the poor blacks and browns. The vaccine industry had to find a market for this massive unsold surplus. What better than to look abroad for markets among those already mentally conditioned to accept the vaccine as a necessity? It is not difficult to buy over officials and decision- makers and get the local private sector to come in with suitable inducements. This is what we are seeing in many countries world-wide, and here in Sri Lanka too.

Governments tend to fall in line in the face of such intensive campaigning.. The COVID phobia is there among the people to be exploited and the environment and the partners are also in place, so why not exploit it?

The vaccine producers themselves admit that the optimal time for boosters is still being worked out to get full protection. The side effects are also being looked for and are not fully known. This particularly applies to the long term effects. The protection will be short term and in all probability annual boosters will be required. This is going to be a considerable cost.

On the political side, the lockdown policy practiced in Sri Lanka has no real benefit from a medical point of view, and is only increasing poverty and disrupting the economy, leading to job losses. We need more informed debate on this whole issue and then come out with what really needs to be done. Protests against vaccination should be allowed, as much as for vaccination.

Prof. Tissa Vitarana

All News Advertisement

Latest News

58,454 International aircraft movements in Sri Lanka in first 11months of 2025 – Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation

Published

4 hours ago

2025/12/31

Priyan

According to figures released by the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation there have been 58,454 international aircraft movements in the first 11 months of 2025 in Sri Lanka. [An aircraft movement refers to the count of take offs and landings at an airport]

The figures also confirm that tourist arrivals via air stands at 2.1 million.

Latest News

Highest revenue in 93-year history of Inland Revenue Department collected in 2025

Published

7 hours ago

2025/12/31

Priyan

The Inland Revenue Department has succeeded in collecting Rs. 2,203 billion in revenue in 2025, the highest amount recorded in its 93-year history. This represents a surplus of Rs. 33 billion over the revenue target for the year and a 15 per cent increase compared with the revenue collected in the previous year, stated Commissioner-General of Inland Revenue Ms Rukdevi Fernando.

She made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (30) morning at the Department’s auditorium under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Marking the first occasion in the 93-year history of the Inland Revenue Department that a President has visited the Department, the President attended a meeting with the staff to review the progress achieved in 2025 and the new plans for 2026.

The President expressed his appreciation to all officers and staff of the Inland Revenue Department for surpassing the revenue expected by the Government and urged everyone to continue working towards a common objective in order to realise the economic transformation required for the country.

Emphasising that no individual is entitled to the privilege of evading taxes, the President stated that the era in which a tax culture prevailed based on personal or political affiliations has come to an end. He further stressed that the law will be enforced without hesitation, irrespective of status, against those who attempt to evade taxes.

The President also pointed out that tax collection is neither repression nor coercion but a legitimate right of the State, adding that necessary changes will be made to laws, regulations, designations and staffing in order to secure this contribution.

He further emphasised that the Government’s objective is to ensure that the benefits of these economic achievements flow to the people of the country. The Government is focusing on improving essential public services to enhance the quality of life, undertaking a new transformation of the transport system and providing adequate allocations for the development of the education and health sectors.

The President also highlighted the need for a targeted programme to properly collect the taxes due to the Government by addressing issues such as improving tax literacy, simplifying the tax system and filling staff shortages.

Ms Rukdevi Fernando stated that the professional competence and dedication of the Department’s officers were the key factors behind this success.

She further noted that a revenue target of Rs. 2,401 billion has been set for 2026 and that the Department expects to achieve this through programmes aimed at enhancing tax compliance and broadening the tax base.

In addition, she said that the Department plans to expand third-party data sharing, strengthen investigations into domestic and overseas assets, take over the RAMIS system, reinforce risk-based auditing, introduce e-invoicing, adopt modern technology for tax administration and enhance tax ethics in 2026.

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Commissioner-General of Inland Revenue Ms Rukdevi Fernando and senior officials and staff of the Department were present at the occasion.

Business

Sri Lanka Customs exceeds revenue targets to enters 2026 with a surplus of Rs. 300 billion – Director General

Published

16 hours ago

2025/12/31

Priyan

The year 2025 has been recorded as the highest revenue-earning year in the history of Sri Lanka Customs, stated Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, Mr. S.P. Arukgoda, noting that the Department had surpassed its expected revenue target of Rs. 2,115 billion, enabling it to enter 2026 with an additional surplus of approximately Rs. 300 billion.

The Director General made these remarks at a discussion held on Tuesday (30) morning at the Sri Lanka Customs Auditorium, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The President visited the Sri Lanka Customs Department this to review the performance achieved in 2025 and to scrutinize the new plans proposed for 2026. During the visit, the President engaged in extensive discussions with the Director General, Directors and senior officials of the Department.

Commending the vital role played by Sri Lanka Customs in generating much-needed state revenue and contributing to economic and social stability, the President expressed his appreciation to the entire Customs employees for their commitment and service.

Emphasizing that Sri Lanka Customs is one of the country’s key revenue-generating institutions, the President highlighted the importance of maintaining operations in an efficient, transparent and accountable manner. The President also called upon all officers to work collectively, with renewed plans and strategies, to lead the country towards economic success in 2026.

The President further stressed that the economic collapse in 2022 was largely due to the government’s inability at the time to generate sufficient rupee revenue and secure adequate foreign exchange. He pointed out that the government has successfully restored economic stability by achieving revenue targets, a capability that has also been vital in addressing recent disaster situations.

A comprehensive discussion was also held on the overall performance and progress of Sri Lanka Customs in 2025, as well as the new strategic plans for 2026, with several new ideas and proposals being presented.

Sri Lanka Customs currently operates under four main pillars, revenue collection, trade facilitation, social protection and institutional development. The President inquired into the progress achieved under each of these areas.

It was revealed that the Internal Affairs Unit, established to prevent corruption and promote an ethical institutional culture, is functioning effectively.

The President also sought updates on measures taken to address long-standing allegations related to congestion, delays and corruption in Customs operations, as well as on plans to modernize cargo inspection systems.

The discussion further covered Sri Lanka Customs’ digitalization programme planned for 2026, along with issues related to recruitment, promotions, training and salaries and allowances of the staff.

Highlighting the strategic importance of airports in preventing attempts to create instability within the country, the President underscored the necessity for Sri Lanka Customs to operate with a comprehensive awareness of its duty to uphold the stability of the State, while also being ready to face upcoming challenges.

The discussion was attended by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayanta Fernando, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Nishantha Jayaweera, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, A.N.Hapugala, Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, S.P.Arukgoda, members of the Board of Directors and senior officials of the Department.