News
Rosy says Covid jab ‘preferred list’ posts on social media a bid to vilify her
by Suresh Perera
Describing social media reports that she submitted a ‘preferred list’ for the Covid-19 vaccination as a “total fabrication”, Colombo’s Mayor, Rosy Senanayake, said that she has no VIPs for priority treatment for the jab, except the people living in the city.
“This is a mud slinging campaign against me”, she protested, referring to the social media posts which foisted a well tabulated list of 700 plus names with their National Identity Card (NIC) numbers.
“It’s an absolute falsehood to say that I have forwarded names for priority in the ongoing vaccination drive”, the Mayor asserted.
A list of intended recipients of the vaccine is drawn up in any case, but that’s not the Mayor’s job, she pointed out. “Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and ward members handle the registration process and direct residents to doctors and health workers in the respective inoculation centres with the reference details”.
The Mayor said that 27,100 residents were vaccinated by Thursday, with priority accorded to high risk groups living in high density areas within Colombo Municipality’s 47 wards.
Apart from PHIs, ward members are able to bring people from within the community for the jab, Senanayake outlined. “We have enlisted their support to take the vaccination campaign forward with community participation”.
She further said that the Colombo Municipal Council Public Health Department began vaccinating all residents of the city (zones 1 through 15) above 60 years from Saturday onwards.
“We hope to complete the vaccination program covering approximately 115,000 residents in the age group within two weeks”, she said.
Citizens over 60 old who reside within the Colombo City limits, should register with their area PHI or the council member for their Municipal Ward. It is important that this process is followed to ensure an efficient program, the Mayor said.
She thanked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, State Minister Dr. Sudharshani Fernandopulle, covid task force, and health ministry officials, without whose support this would not have been possible.
She also thanked the Public Health Department team for their tireless work and dedication in these very difficult times.
It has been reported that, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum support necessary to successfully hold the Global Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
The Secretary to the President issued these instructions during discussions held on Thursday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the Global Bora Conference and Convention.
The Bora Conference and Convention will be held from 27 June to 05 July, coinciding with the Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly, centred on the Bambalapitiya Bora Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the participation of the community’s Spiritual Leader His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Sahib.
Approximately fifteen thousand members of the Bora Community from India and numerous other countries are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for this Convention and Conference. Extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of all infrastructure facilities, including airport arrangements, for them.
A group of the Bora Community’s religious leaders, along with officials including the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Ranaraja and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, participated in this occasion.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.
Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.
Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.
Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.
SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.
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