News

Medical Specialists: Only 28 hospitals have liquid oxygen tanks

Published

5 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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News

National SME Strategy Framework 2026 is critical because it brings policy consistency and stability to the sector – PM

Published

14 hours ago

2026/05/15

Priyan

The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in the 2nd day of the dialog on “National SME Strategy Framework 2026” organized by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development held on Thursday [14th of May].

The official launch of the “National SME Strategy Framework 2026” to empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), was held on Wednesday (13) under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, and Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe.

The Framework has been developed by the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry, with input from the SME Advisory Committee and key system stakeholders in line with the national manifesto of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.”

This framework creates the opportunity for the entrepreneurs to easily register their businesses, access modern technology, and obtain specialized financial facilities along with the advisory services that directly support the growth of entrepreneurs, departing from the traditional method free of charge.

The second day marks the dialog on the “National SME Strategy Framework 2026” focusing on the discussion into implementation and strategy to action featuring series of panel discussions.

During the event National SME Strategy Framework 2026 was presented to the Prime Minister by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe.

The Prime Minister stated that the country is implementing its transformative agenda during a period of global instability and disruptive global context stressing the importance of adaptation, sustainability and building resilience, particularly within the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector in such context.

Underscoring the importance of the SME policy framework, the Prime Minister further stated that the government’s role is to ensure consistency, stability and collaboration within the sector.

The event was attended by the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Australian Deputy High commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ms. Ruth Baird and Secretary to the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Mrs. J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara and develop and develop partners and representatives from business community.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Opposition accuses govt. of weaponising tax laws

Published

15 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Sajith

… calls for modernising Inland Revenue Dept.

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday criticised the government’s proposed amendments to the Inland Revenue Act, claiming that a new provision in the draft legislation could unfairly lead to criminal action against ordinary citizens and small business owners over administrative tax-related matters.

In a statement, Premadasa said the public was “not angry about paying taxes” but was frustrated by what he described as unfair treatment under the proposed law.

He alleged that Section 185A of the proposed bill could make delays in filing tax returns or registration-related issues criminal offences, warning that struggling small-scale entrepreneurs could be treated in the same manner as individuals deliberately evading millions of rupees in taxes.

“That is wrong,” the Opposition Leader said.

Premadasa further accused the government of resorting to criminal action against people instead of reforming and modernising the Inland Revenue Department and simplifying tax compliance procedures.

He also questioned the government’s commitment to tackling corruption and financial crimes, asking why stronger measures had not been taken against money laundering, financial fraud and those accused of misappropriating public funds.

“Go after the corrupt. Punish real fraudsters. But do not weaponise the law against the common man,” he said.

Premadasa added that the Opposition would continue to resist legislation that undermined “fairness, proportionality, and the constitutional rights of the people.”

News

Floods, landslides affect 3,475 people

Published

15 hours ago

2026/05/15

Thilina Walpola

Adverse weather conditions prevailing across the country have severely affected 3,475 persons belonging to 1,113 families in seven districts, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).The DMC said 1,310 individuals from 489 families had been relocated to eight temporary safety shelters due to the deteriorating weather situation.

The DMC also confirmed one death from the Koralepatthu South area in the Batticaloa District.

As of 10 am yesterday (14), a total of 88 houses and one business establishment had sustained partial damage as a result of the adverse weather conditions.

Authorities have urged the public in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow safety instructions issued by disaster management and local officials as heavy rains continue to affect several parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) yesterday extended landslide warnings for several districts across the country due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

According to the NBRO, Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued for Neluwa in the Galle District; Agalawatte, Baduraliya, Matugama, Horana and Walallawita in the Kalutara District; and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura District.

Level 1 landslide warnings remain in effect for several areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts.

The warned areas include Bandarawela, Passara and Hali Ela in Badulla; Thawalama, Elpitiya and

Niyagama in Galle; Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in Kalutara; and multiple Divisional Secretariat areas in the Kandy District, including Poojapitiya, Deltota, Udunuwara and Pathahewaheta.

Warnings have also been issued for Bulathkohupitiya, Mawanella, Kegalle, Aranayake, Yatiyanthota, Warakapola and Rambukkana in the Kegalle District; Ridigama in Kurunegala; Rattota, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in Matale; and Wellawaya, Badalkumbura and Bibile in Monaragala.

In the Nuwara Eliya District, the warning covers Norwood, Ambagamuwa Korale and Kotmale, while Eheliyagoda, Kalawana, Kuruwita, Godakawela, Kiriella and Ayagama in the Ratnapura District have also been placed under alert.

The NBRO said the warnings were extended in view of further rainfall forecast by the Department of Meteorology and urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant and follow instructions issued by authorities for their safety.

Meanwhile, the water levels in several major river basins that had risen due to recent heavy rainfall are now receding following a decline in rainfall over the past 24 hours, the Department of Irrigation said.

Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) L.S. Sooriyabandara said water levels in the Nilwala River, Gin Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Attanagalu Oya basins were showing a downward trend as rainfall eased.

He noted that water levels were declining in most areas, with the exception of the Millakanda area in the Kalu Ganga basin.

However, Sooriyabandara warned that the current improvement could be temporary, as the Department of Meteorology has forecast further rain in the coming days.

According to the Department, 18 of the country’s 73 major reservoirs are currently spilling over, while another 18 medium-sized reservoirs are also discharging water.

He stressed that the release of water does not indicate a major flood situation at present, but urged the public to remain vigilant and follow future advisories issued by authorities.

By Norman Paliahwadane and Chaminda Silva