News

Health Ministry yet to respond to HRCSL’s concerns

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/3

Sahan Weerasooriya

Covid-19 response:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) says the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena has yet to respond to issues raised by the outfit with regard to mismanagement and shortcomings in the ongoing Covid-19 inoculation drive.

A HRCSL spokesperson yesterday (2) told The Island that HRCSL Chairperson Dr. Jagath Balasuriya, in a letter dated May 28 sought a clarification from DGHS by or before June 15 However, the anticipated response was yet to be received.

According to a copy of the HRCSL letter, in Sinhalese, received by The Island, The HRCSL raised the prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccinations amidst accusations regarding serious malpractices and mismanagement received from the health sector and various other services as well.

Former parliamentarian Dr. Balasuriya has requested DGHS to formulate an effective vaccination map and bring it to the notice of the HRCSL by or before June 15. The DGHS hasn’t responded so far though the time lapsed over two weeks ago, the spokesperson said.

Dr. Gunawardena didn’t answer his phone yesterday.

Former lawmaker M.M. Zuhair, PC, said that in spite of the media repeatedly highlighting the deficiencies in the inoculation drive those in authority appeared to have turned a blind eye to the pathetic situation. Zuhair said that the recent television coverage of those over 70 years of age in a queue to receive AstraZeneca aka Covishield vaccine showed they were badly exposed both to elements and the virus. It also exposed the incompetence of the health administration. Having launched the inoculation drive on January 29, authorities had ample time to streamline the process over the next few months, the civil society activist said. Unfortunately, the way those senior citizens had suffered throughout this week for want of a streamlined process was appalling, the one-time Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Teheran said.

The HRCSL expressed concern over the inordinate delay in the DGHS responding to their letter which at the onset appreciated the role played by the health sector in meeting the Covid-19 threat. However, the HRCSL’s concerns raised in terms of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act (No. 21 of 1996) couldn’t be ignored under any circumstances though they understood the difficulties experienced by the health administration.

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News

SAARC journalists meet in New Delhi

Published

12 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

13 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

20 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.