News
Who denied Covid-19 vaccine to those above 60?
Community Physicians warn of catastrophe
Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe, President of the College of Community Physicians yesterday (24) strongly criticised the sudden and unilateral government decision to do away with what he called the scientifically recommended Covid-19 vaccine priority list.
Appearing on Sirasa ‘Pathikada,’ anchored by Asoka Dias, Dr. Abeysinghe alleged that the priority list had been done away with on Feb 16 without consultations. Responding to a spate of probing questions, Dr. Abeysinghe explained how the powers that be acted recklessly contrary to the specific decisions taken by the National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (NACCD) which also functions as a statutory body–the National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG).
Dr. Abeysinghe flayed the health ministry for ordering vaccination of those between 30 and 60 though NITAG decision was to give priority to those above 60 and people suffering from non-communicable diseases. The medical specialist emphasized that in terms of their overall plan, those above 60 were to receive the vaccine after the frontline health workers and the military and the police assigned for related services received the jab.
Dr. Abeysinghe said that the sudden deviation from the agreed plan confused the public. The top spokesperson for the College of Community Physicians warned that Sri Lanka would find it difficult to secure the promised vaccine stocks due to failure on the part of the manufacturers to meet the growing demand. Dr. Abeysinghe pointed out that failure to adhere to the agreed plan could cause chaos and may jeopardize the entire project.
Sri Lanka has so far received 500,000 vaccines from India. Dr. Abeysinghe said that the government was talking with India to procure more from the same source.
Political sources told The Island that the issue had been brought to the notice of the President. Sources said that those above 60 were deprived of the vaccine in some areas regardless of the original decision (SF)
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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