News
Recipients of AstraZeneca first jab vulnerable – AMS
Sputnik first jab for those awaiting AstraZeneca second dose recommended
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Sri Lanka should use the limited supply of Sputnik-V vaccine in hotspots and for people who had taken the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine in February and March, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando said yesterday.
Dr. Fernando said that a large number of people who had taken the AstraZeneca vaccine in February needed to be given booster doses.
“The WHO says that the first jab of AstraZeneca is effective against the first strain of SARS-COV-2 until six months but what about the variants of concern? So, soon those who took the first jab of AstraZeneca will be vulnerable again,” he said.
Dr. Fernando said that Sputnik-V was a better choice for those who had taken the first dose of AstraZeneca.
“Theoretically, if those who have taken the first dose of AstraZeneca are to receive a second jab of Sputnik V, they should take the first Sputnik V vaccine with adenovirus 26 (Ad26). We must immediately start a small trial to see if the combination works. We should be able to see results in a week or so,” he said. Commenting on using Sputnik-V in Kandy as a first dose, Dr. Fernando said that the decision may have been taken to make politicians happy.
“If we are getting millions of Sputnik-V doses, but given that this is a limited resource, we must use it carefully,” he said.
AMS President added that Sinopharm would be the main vaccine used in Sri Lanka and that after two doses it would provide robust protection against COVID19. “We are getting enough Sinopharm vaccine doses. We must think about the 600,000 people who took only the first.”
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
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