News

Medical Specialists: Only 28 hospitals have liquid oxygen tanks

Published

4 years ago

2021/05/1

Noting that the best way to deliver oxygen to a patient’s bedside is to have piped oxygen distributed from a central liquid oxygen tank, rather than using cylinders, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has said that Sri Lanka only has 28 such liquid oxygen tanks installed in hospitals.

Dr A J A L Fernando, President, AMS, yesterday said, in a media statement, that the sizes of those tanks ranged from 3,000 to 20,000 litres, but only two had 20,000 litre tanks. One was the National Hospital and the other the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, the AMS has said.

“The others are relatively smaller. With the current coronavirus being highly transmissible, taking patients to hospitals with larger tanks may not be an option as many of these hospitals mainly cater to non-Covid patients. Spreading the disease within a hospital could also result in disaster. With this, the system will still have to largely depend on jumbo cylinders where each can carry 47 liquid litres that produce 7,050 gas litres of oxygen.”

Dr. Fernando added that although the jumbo cylinders were heavy enough to need more than a couple of people to move them, each of them might not last for more than a few hours as regards a highly oxygen dependant patient. Managing oxygen between hospitals and delivering it to the individual patient would certainly need intelligent planning and extreme coordination of production, storage and efficient delivery, he said.

Dr Fernando added that his association did not see any pragmatic strategy on the part of the government in place to face eventualities that could arise given the spike in COVID-19 cases. “The number of Covid-19 patients is on the rise in Sri Lanka. It has exceeded 1,000 a day and is still rising. We know that our existing capacity to treat patients (intensive care and high dependency beds) has reached its threshold. Experts have clearly mentioned the higher infectivity and virulence of the current strain warranting and increased need for oxygen dependency and intensive care.”

Excerpts of the AMS statement: “Since there is no firmly established cure for this disease, symptomatic treatment is the mainstay till the recovery is reached. However, oxygen and ICU care play a crucial role in critical cases and we should ensure that there will be a constant and uninterrupted availability of oxygen supplied beds if we are to avert disaster. Apparently, being a financially stronger regional giant, India is facing immense hardships due to shortage of oxygen right now.

“As oxygen is considered the most important medical need and likely to be in short supply, all necessary steps must be taken to avoid a crisis.

“To the best of our knowledge there are two companies that supply oxygen to healthcare facilities and these manufacturers can easily increase their production almost three-fold. Together they now produce around 75 tons of oxygen per day of which a portion is supplied for industrial use. They can divert all their oxygen production to health if the need arises and Sri Lanka has sufficient source of supply. However, the more important issue is the delivery of this oxygen to patient’s bedside. The best way to do this is to have piped oxygen distributed from a central liquid oxygen tank rather than using cylinders. Unfortunately, the whole country only has 28 such liquid oxygen tanks installed in hospitals. The sizes range from 3000 to 20000 litres, but there are only two 20,000 size tanks one each at National Hospital and Peradeniya and others are relatively smaller. With the current Covid being highly transmissible, taking patients to hospitals with larger tanks may not be an option as many of these hospitals mainly cater to non-covid patients. Spreading the disease within a hospital could also result in disaster. With this the system will still have to largely depend on jumbo cylinders where each can carry 47 liquid litres that produce 7050 gas litres of oxygen. Though heavy enough to need more than a couple of people to move them, each jumbo cylinder may not last for more than few hours in a highly oxygen dependant patient. Managing oxygen between hospitals and delivering to the individual patient will certainly need intelligent planning and extreme coordination of production, storage and efficient delivery.

“For this, we need to utilize the services of relevant experts in these fields to design and implement the best national plan and it should be kept strictly apolitical. If such action is not taken in this crucial juncture, we will be another nation who has “planned to fail” as we have “failed to plan”.

“It is also important that we take a serious note of the high rate of disease spread in spite of the present prevention strategies. A degree of complacency and overconfidence can take Sri Lanka to a critical point faster as it has happened in some countries. Out of all, Prevention is THE best strategy and we need to do everything possible to prevent and slow down the spread. Even if a lockdown is needed, it is best to foresee and think ahead and be prepared to do it if it is essential.

“Only the authorities who have the real information and data, can make that decision. It should not be a political decision, but a decision to save the country and its people based on scientific principles both for today and tomorrow. It is very evident now that the countries can go up or down in the success of Covid control based on the wisdom they demonstrate during decision making. Moreover, while appreciating all the positive moves the government has taken towards Covid control, we believe it is the duty of the health authorities to submit the correct information and data to the political authorities without any delay. We urge the authorities to consider all above facts and make prompt decisions based on scientific facts and rational thinking to face the present Covid 19 situation. The AMS is ready to provide the government and health authorities its maximum support at this hour of need.”

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Business

Amal Niroshan Attanayake appointed Chairman Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited

Published

8 hours ago

2025/06/13

Priyan

Amal Niroshan Attanayake, a highly experienced business professional with both local and international experience, has been appointed the new Chairman of Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.

The official letter of appointment was presented to Mr Attanayake on Friday (13) by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry premises.

Mr. Attanayake, an alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, brings over 25 years of high-level experience in local and international business fields. During his school years, he served as a President’s Scout and later graduated with honours from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He has also served as the Secretary of the University Sports Association and represented Sri Lanka in international tennis tournaments.

In addition to creating a number of local and international brands, Attanayake has organised and managed several international exhibitions in South Asia and Sri Lanka. He also has extensive expertise in modern technology and digitalisation.

News

“Shrama Meheyuma” initiative to be launched on 4th July

Published

8 hours ago

2025/06/13

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the low engagement of inexperienced labor force in vocational training is largely due to the unattractiveness of training institutions and emphasized the need to address and rectify this situation.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in an awareness program held at the Orugodawatta Tech Institute which focused on the upcoming “Shrama Meheyuma” initiative, scheduled to be implemented islandwide on July 4, 2025, utilizing 311 national, district, and regional vocational training centers. This initiative is part of a broader national program aligned with the vision of a Clean Sri Lanka, built upon environmental, social, and ethical principles.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“A young person who receives vocational training in a high-demand field will encounter no obstacles in securing a well-paying job, either locally or internationally. However, we continue to witness a lack of participation in vocational training by the unemployed, inexperienced labor force. The lack of attractiveness of training institutions is a significant contributing factor to this issue. Therefore, it is imperative that we implement long-term measures and plans to transform this reality.

Nevertheless, we cannot afford to remain silent. The vocational education sector holds immense potential. It possesses a wide range of technical and professional expertise, as well as the necessary tools and resources. Approximately 125,000 young trainees are currently enrolled in these institutions. As such, a unique opportunity has emerged to launch a large-scale initiative in alignment with the environmental pillar of the Clean Sri Lanka program.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted that public institutions and community stakeholders can be engaged in support of this initiative.

“Let us commence this national initiative with the inauguration on July 4 and ensure its continued implementation. By undertaking minor maintenance and environmentally friendly approach by excluding major construction or renovations, we can transform our training centers into appealing spaces for youth.

Moreover, it is essential that we cultivate social and ethical transformation within ourselves and within our institutions

If we are able to reduce the proportion of inexperienced labor which currently stands at approximately 72% of the inactive labor force by 25% within the next five years, and if at least one member from each economically vulnerable household can be directed towards vocational training, these households will then have the opportunity to earn a monthly income ranging from LKR 50,000 to 75,000.

Therefore, on July 4, you will not merely be cleaning your vocational training center. Through your actions, you will also be contributing to encouraging youth to engage in vocational training, thereby enabling their families to overcome poverty and helping the country address its economic challenges.”

The event was attended by S.P.C. Sugishwara, Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Operations Secretariat, as well as heads of institutions and senior officials from the Vocational Education Division of the Ministry of Education.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives – PM

Published

9 hours ago

2025/06/13

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives while efforts must be undertaken with awareness and dedication, not just adherence to rules and regulations.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the awareness program held at Royal College, Colombo on road safety titled ’Take Care – Let’s Be Safe on the Road,’ organized jointly by the Clean Sri Lanka Program, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the Sri Lanka Police.

Police officers should conduct awareness sessions on road accident prevention for schoolchildren and distribution of equipment necessary for school transport safety to 25 selected schools across 25 districts was taken place under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister stated:

“This is another significant initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka Project. Road accidents have become a major national crisis. The tragic reality is that most of these incidents are preventable if we have the will and dedication.

About seven people die every day due to road accidents. We must stop this tragedy. Every deceased, disabled, or injured victim of road accidents is a citizen of this country. They are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, or child. When someone becomes a victim, the whole society is affected. The statistics on accidents are not just numbers—they carry deep stories and pain.

Preventing road accidents is not only about obeying laws. It’s about thinking of others, acting with empathy, and treating the preservation of life as our own duty. We need to build a society that functions with compassion and responsibility. That is the kind of beautiful country the government is striving to create.

It is important that education must come before punishment, setting an example must precede enforcement of the law, cautious before precede accusations. Parents must set a good example, drivers must be committed to saving lives, children must be given a clear understanding of traffic rules while the police must prioritize public education before enforcing laws.”