News
Lab technologists urge govt. not to try short cuts with Omicron variant
By Rathindra Kuruwita
College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President Ravi Kumudesh yesterday accused the Health Ministry of trying to mislead the public as regards the Omicron case detected in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry claimed that they had detected the variant in a traveller from South Africa. However the passenger actually came from Nigeria, a country that was not in the banned list of countries, Kumudesh told The Island.
“We have laid a red carpet for Omicron to come here. We have with the help of a PCR test conducted on inbound passengers detected Omicron in a 25-year-old Sri Lankan woman who has returned from Nigeria. She is a resident of Marawila and she doesn’t have any noticeable symptoms. A rapid antigen test conducted yesterday found her negative for COVID-19,” he said.
Kumudesh said that most passengers entering the country were not tested. Thus, any COVID variant could enter the country without detection, he said.
“If anything, this detection proves the importance of on arrival PCR testing. We have sent a letter to the President asking him to test everyone who arrives here from overseas,” he said.
The CMLS President said that the Health Ministry was opposed to testing travellers because they think President Rajapaksa was opposed to testing due to its possible impact on tourism. Kumudesh said that they could conduct a rapid test that caused little inconvenience to travellers.
“We can furnish a report in two hours. The Ministry wants to reduce PCR testing and carryout more rapid antigen testing. However, the rapid antigen test on the person with Omicron came out negative. This is a good example that demonstrates the folly of the Health Ministry policy,” Kumudesh said.
Kumudesh added that the short sighted directives of some senior health officers had ensured that even samples of passengers assumed to have COVID-19 were not sent for gene sequencing.
“There are Health Ministry officials who claim there is nothing to be done about Omicron. If we follow this policy, we will have to go for a lockdown. We must get rid of health officers who are violating the basic tenets of pandemic control. The government must appoint capable persons. There is no point in blaming people in a few weeks later without doing what has to be done today,” he said.
Kumudesh added that government should not only carry out PCR tests on passengers but also test those who entered the country during the past few days. The government should also instruct the Health Ministry to carry out random tests across the country to determine the status of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, he added.
Opposition Leader and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was merely following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, rather than fulfilling the promises made during the previous elections.
Speaking at the SJB’s May Day rally at the Lindula Municipal Council Grounds, Talawakele, Premadasa said that the President had given in to demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), just like his predecessor.
“President Dissanayake has capitulated to the IMF and agreed to increase electricity tariffs. We have received reliable information that the tariff hike will come into effect after May 6,” he said.
“We are living in an era when the rights of working people are suppressed. The previous government and the incumbent one have targeted the EPF and the ETF in the name of debt restructuring. But we have always stood up for workers’ rights—and we always will.”This government has come to power by deceiving the public.
Premadasa expressed confidence that the SJB would win commanding majorities in local government bodies and called on President Dissanayake not to think the people would continue to be misled by the NPP’s lies.
The Opposition Leader accused the government of misleading the public about energy prices. Despite its promise of a 33% reduction in electricity tariffs, the government was planning to increase them.
“Why does the President continue to lie to the people? We urge the public to vote for the SJB and send a clear message to this government.
By Kamal Bogoda and Akitha Perera
Chief Inspector of Police Ashoka Ariyawansa, who served as the Chief Security Officer to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has been transferred with immediate effect to the Kankesanthurai Police Station.
The transfer, approved by the National Police Commission, follows emerging reports of a controversial phone call involving Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan, who is currently in the custody of the CID.
According to initial investigations, Pillayan had reportedly requested to speak with former President Wickremesinghe while in custody. It is alleged that an investigating officer facilitated the call, raising serious procedural concerns.
CI Ariyawansa, a senior officer in the Ministerial Security Division (MSD), has had a longstanding association with Wickremesinghe, having served on his personal security detail for 23 years, including 15 years as his Chief Personal Security Officer.
While no formal charges have been brought against CI Ariyawansa, the transfer is understood to be linked to an ongoing internal investigation into the incident.Commenting on the matter, Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga told The Island that the officer’s transfer was a precautionary administrative measure pending the outcome of the inquiry.
By Hemantha Randunu
Three trains had derailed within 24 hours in Colombo and Polgahawela without causing any injuries, the Railway Department said.
Two trains derailed between Maradana and Fort Railway Stations on Wednesday (30) and yesterday (1) morning and another train derailed near the Polgahawela Station on Wednesday night.
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