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PHIs blame indigenous physicians’ propaganda for booster jab hesitancy

Published

3 years ago

2022/01/28

By Rathindra Kuruwita

It would be difficult to increase the number of people who receive booster shots if the government did not address the growing anti- vaccine sentiments among the people, head of the Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) Upul Rohana said yesterday.

Rohana said that at the beginning of the pandemic anti-vaccine sentiments had been rare among the people and that the overwhelming majority of the people wanted to get vaccinated.

“People were waiting in queues. People were asking the government to double jab them as fast as possible. Some people demanded to be jabbed with the Pfizer vaccine. Heath officials have done little to counter anti-vaccine propaganda.”

The PHIU head said that even some medical professionals contributed to the anti- vaccine sentiments. A number of indigenous medical practitioners carried out a campaign against vaccination on social media and such campaigns have gained traction over the past months.

“What did we do? Health officials didn’t do much. We didn’t try to counter these sentiments with facts and figures. We have not taken any action against those who disseminate anti- vaccine sentiments. Now, these wrong ideas are firmly rooted among a significant number of people,” he said.

Rohana said that until very recently, health officials had failed to pay adequate attention to the growing anti- vaccine sentiments. Senior health ministry officials believed that the people were not getting vaccinated because there was an issue with vaccine distribution and availability.

“This is why a vaccination week was introduced. The opening hours of vaccination centres were extended and the locations of the centres too were expanded. However, it is now obvious that we did not address the root causes of booster jab hesitance. People are not getting vaccinated because they fear the assumed side effects. A lot of people worry that this will affect their fertility. This is why people are not getting vaccinated and we have not given convincing data or a narrative to prove otherwise,” he said.

On the other hand, people had let their guard down because the government gave the impression that the threat posed by the coronavirus was on its way out, he said. For a long time health officials have not reported the real number of cases, the regulations were relaxed and people were encouraged to go back to the way they were living before the pandemic, the PHIU head said.

“After all that, the government and officials now claim that people have to behave responsibly. Now, the people think that the government is trying to distract them from other issues by playing up the COVID-19 card,” Rohana said.

Although the official COVID numbers were around the 900 a day, now at least 2,500 people contracted Covid-19 daily, he said. During the peak of the Delta wave, health officials were carrying out 25,000 PCR tests a day, however, only 12,000 PCR and rapid antigen tests (RAT) were being done now, Rohana said.

“Out of this, most are RATs, which are not effective unless a patient has a high viral load. What about those who don’t have a high viral loads? They can spread the disease. We need to know the ground realities. That is why we must do testing. We need to do more random testing,” he said.

Rohana said that around 82% of Sri Lankans had had both doses of an anti-COVID vaccine and that was the main reason why the deaths caused by COVID had not gone up. The main role of a vaccine was to reduce the severity of symptoms and to minimise deaths, he said.

“So, World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the world that Omicron can cause deaths and hospitalisation. We really should not take this easy,” Rohana said.

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Poson Week will be observed from June 7 to June 13

Published

13 mins ago

2025/05/22

Priyan

The Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunawewa Dhammarathana Thero, expressed his appreciation to the government for its decision to hold the Poson Festival 2025 with full state patronage.

The Nayaka Thero made these remarks during a discussion held on Wednesday (21) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the State Poson Festival 2025.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs , Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi and Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Venerable Dhammarathana Thero further reiterated that it is the responsibility of the government to reinstate the State Poson Festival, which has been on hold since 2023, and to safeguard it for the benefit of future generations.

The theme of this year’s State Poson Festival will be “May the world be enlightened by the teachings of Buddha.”

In line with the State Poson Festival, a series of religious programmes focusing on offerings of both material and doctrinal significance will commence from June 1.

Poson Week will be observed from June 7 to June 13. During this period, it was decided to close all liquor outlets in the Anuradhapura District to maintain the sanctity of the observances.

Special attention was also drawn to ensuring that all necessary facilities are provided for the thousands of pilgrims expected to visit Anuradhapura during the festival period.

Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, instructed state officials to take appropriate measures to facilitate the successful conduct of the State Poson Festival.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Director General of Buddhist Affairs R.M.P. Rathnayake and other Heads of institutions were also present at the occasion.

News

‘India-UK FTA could adversely impact SL apparel exports’

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

NEXT factory closure in Katunayake ominous sign: Trade Exprt

One-time Director General of Commerce, Gomi Senadhira, has warned that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the United Kingdom, signed on 06 May, could cause a significant drop in Sri Lanka garment exports to the UK.

The FTA is expected to take effect in January 2026. In an exclusive article to The Island––carried in today’s edition––Senadhira has said that the FTA will provide India with a nearly 10 percent tariff advantage. India would gain at the expense of other exporters, including Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka’s former Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation, from January 2004 to December 2006, said.

Senadhira

The trade expert, contacted for comment, following the sudden closure of the NEXT Katunayake production unit, said it was an ominous sign. NEXT is the largest apparel retailer in the UK and perhaps NEXT factories are the only manufacturing plants owned by a British retailer in Sri Lanka.

Senadhira also chaired the WTO Committee on Trade and Development (2005). Prior to his appointment in Geneva, he served as the Minister (Commercial and Economic Affairs) in the Sri Lanka Mission to European Communities in Brussels (2001 – 2003) and the Embassy of Sri Lanka, Washington D.C. (1998 – 2001).

Senadhira has found fault with the government for its failure to address the issues at hand while underscoring the importance of public discussions with trade chambers, think tanks, exporters and the media.

The independent trade consultant has explained how Sri Lanka’s exports to the UK eroded over the years, primarily due to our failure to face competition from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, Pakistan and Vietnam.

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Shritharan praises Canadian Tamil Genocide Monument and slams Sri Lankan politicians

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

A weeping woman at a plaque put up in memory of those who had been killed allegedly by the military. MP Shritharan stands by her (pic courtesy Tamil Guardian)

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shritharan recently condemned continued genocide denial by senior Sri Lankan politicians, the Tamil Guardian reported.

The lawmaker was addressing a remembrance event held in Neduntheevu to mark the 40th anniversary of the Kumuthini massacre.

“The Sinhala supremacists who claim that no genocide was committed against the Eelam Tamils are attempting to blind the eyes and conscience of the world,” Shritharan said, denouncing ongoing state-sponsored historical revisionism.

On the occasion, which commemorated the massacre of Tamil civilians aboard the Kumuthini vessel in 1984, Shritharan conveyed his gratitude to international actors who have supported Tamil efforts for justice and recognition.

In particular, he extended thanks to the Canadian Prime Minister and the Mayor of Brampton for their role in recognising the Tamil genocide.

Reflecting on the long arc of massacres carried out across the Tamil homeland, Shritharan stated:

“From the boat of Kumuthini, the seas of Gurunagar, Kokkilai, Chathurukondan, Vakarai, Navali, and Nagercoil, all the way to Mullivaikkal—massacres were carried out in waves, systematically annihilating Tamils one group at a time.”

He sharply criticised members of Sri Lanka’s current political leadership, stating:

“Even today, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, along with Namal Rajapaksa and Ali Sabry, continue to shamelessly deny that a genocide took place in Tamil Eelam.”

Such statements, Shritharan said, constitute a blatant insult to the world’s conscience and reflect the deep-seated Sinhala hegemonic racism embedded within the ruling establishment.

In contrast to this denialism, Shritharan hailed the recent unveiling of a Tamil Genocide Memorial in Brampton, Canada, as a landmark in the global recognition of Tamil suffering and resistance.

“Amid such open racism from Sri Lanka’s ruling establishment, the establishment of a Genocide Memorial in Brampton serves as international testimony to the undeniable truth that what happened in Eelam was indeed genocide,” he declared.