News
SJB asks govt. to set up National Disaster Management Council
The government must appoint a national disaster management council to tackle the prevailing pandemic situation, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday urged.
Addressing the media, in Colombo, the SJB MP said the government is legally bound to appoint and convene the council now as per the Disaster Management Act.
“The President should head the Disaster Management Council as per the Disaster Management Act. The Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, selected Ministers and five opposition MPs must be included in it. This council must be established and convened as soon as possible. Around 25 people are dying of COVID and more than 2000 new cases are being reported daily. There has never been a better time,” he said.
Dr. de Silva said that health experts had told the government that the UK variant was present since February. This information was neglected by the government authorities.
“This is similar to those in the previous government neglecting the warnings given by the intelligence units on the Easter Sunday attack,” he said.
This negligence is similar to what had happened to Brazil, the SJB MP said.
BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured.
A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is unclear.
BBC reported that residents in flood-hit northern New Zealand are bracing for more heavy rains as officials issued severe weather alerts.
At least four people have died and a state of emergency was declared in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.
by Priyan de Silva
Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal Punchihewa, asked to comment on a special news release, purportedly issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information, on Sunday (29), told The Island that preparations for the 09 March local government elections were going ahead, as planned, and that the media statement at issue was misleading.
The media statement says: “The gazette notice with signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government election process has not been sent to the Government Press for printing.”
Punchihewa requested the public not to be misled by any misinformation being spread in an attempt to create doubts in their minds.He also reiterated that the EC would not be deterred by any acts of intimidation.
Three of the EC members have been threatened with death by an unidentified caller to resign from their posts. They are S. B. Divaratne, M. M. Mohamed and K. P. P. Pathirana. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to sabotage the LG polls.
At least 17 killed after explosion in Peshawar mosque
More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand’s largest city
Very heavy showers (150mm) likely in Northern, Eastern, Uva, North Central and Central Provinces
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