News

Vaccination of undergrads going at snail’s pace

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/13

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The vaccination of undergraduates was taking place at a slow pace, Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath complained yesterday.

Dr. Herath told The Island that it was similar to what health officials faced when vaccinating those between 20 and 30 years.

“The vaccination of undergraduates is slow. They seem to be trying to choose vaccines. What people must realise is that all WHO approved vaccines work well and that vaccines like Pfizer are not manufactured in adequate numbers,” he said.

The DDGHS said that only around 400,000 people had been vaccinated with Pfizer. The supply was so limited that it was hard to procure US made vaccines, he said.

“It’s hard to even buy these vaccines. Even some western countries are not getting the stocks they ordered some time ago. Therefore, we are using them only for selected groups,” he said.

Dr. Herath hoped that university administration and other officials would educate students about the efficacy of the vaccines and dispel common myths. Inoculating students was vital to recommence the universities, he said.

“Get the vaccines as soon as possible. Otherwise, universities will be hotspots for COVID. Unless everyone is vaccinated, places like university hostels will become breeding grounds for the virus. These are the smartest youth of the country, they must think rationally,” he said.

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Sixth anniversary of Easter Sunday carnage: Special security provided to churches

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/20

Thilina Walpola

Police and armed forces personnel will be deployed at all churches today as the sixth anniversary of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks is marked.Police stations have been instructed to provide special security to churches in their areas and seek assistance from the STF and tri-forces where additional manpower is needed.

Security arrangements have been made under the direction of Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya.

Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyakontha convened a special meeting on Thursday, instructing the Commanders of the Tri-Forces to implement a comprehensive security plan to safeguard worshippers attending Easter Sunday services.

He further directed that the measures be taken in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Security to ensure effective implementation and to allow Christians to attend services without fear or inconvenience.The main commemoration service is set to begin with a procession from St. Lucia’s Cathedral at 7:00 a.m., with participation from Catholics

in nearby parishes—particularly from Colombo Central, Colombo North, Wattala, and Ragama—as well as brothers from junior and national seminaries, priests, and religious leaders. Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is expected to conduct the prayer service, which is scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m.

A separate commemoration will also take place at St. Sebastian’s Church in Katuwapitiya, in two sessions—one at 8:30 a.m. and another at 4:30 p.m.

By Norman Palihawadane

News

Easter Sunday carnage: Catholic Bishops’ Conference renews call for justice

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/20

Thilina Walpola

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka says that ascertaining who the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 were and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act, is a matter of urgency.

In its special message for Easter the conference says: “This Easter also marks the sixth anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on innocent worshipers at Catholic and other Christian Churches and in other places in 2019, causing death and injuries to hundreds of people. In this regard, we observe that certain positive steps have been taken by the present government to ensure an independent and impartial inquiry into this brutal attack.

While we appreciate the efforts made so far, we insist that as a matter of urgency and justice, the final aim of the inquiries should be to ascertain who the perpetrators are and those who have aided and abetted in the dastardly act.

We shall continue to pray earnestly for wisdom and courage for the leaders of our country, as well as solace and healing for the victims,” the message signed by the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Sri Lanka, Bishop Harold Anthony Perera and Secretary General Bishop Anthony Jayakody said.