News
SLMA Head warns of impending health system collapse
Rapid increase in high-flow oxygen-dependent Covid patients
COVID-19 deaths would rise rapidly in the near future as the number of patients who needed high-flow oxygen had increased rapidly, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President, Dr. Padma Gunaratne said yesterday.
Dr. Gunaratne said that members of the general public needed to act more responsibly to prevent the collapse of the health sector. During the first two waves of the pandemic, those who developed symptoms and those who needed high-flow oxygen were relatively low. However, during the last two weeks those who needed oxygen support had risen rapidly, Dr. Gunaratne said.
‘This is why the Delta variant is scary. Soon, the demand for oxygen will also exceed the supply. Then, we will see an increase in the number of deaths. I think everyone now knows that hospitals are running out of space and that health staff too have contracted the virus. On average, a person who dies from COVID-19 complications will remain in hospital for at least two weeks. As the number of such people increases, the health sector will not be able to cope with the case load.”
Deputy Director-General Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said that in the past few months they had tried to increase the oxygen storage capacity in hospitals. Large storage tanks had been given to all major hospitals, and the Ministry had also established in-house plants in main hospitals to generate oxygen.
“These units will also be provided to rural hospitals. About 3,000 Breathing Aid Devices have been provided to multiple hospitals in the country. However, as the number of patients, who need high-flow oxygen, rises, we will run out of capacity,” he said.
Meanwhile, State Minister, Professor Channa Jayasumana told The Island that they would start importing oxygen from India and Singapore in the coming two weeks. He added that there were two Sri Lankan companies that could supply about 77 and 44 tonnes of oxygen a day to hospitals.
“Cabinet approval has been obtained for adopting emergency measures to address the rising demand for oxygen. This was discussed in Parliament, too and we will start making emergency purchases soon,” he said.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
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