Connect with us

News

WHO extends time for booster shot, raises hope for AZ jab recipients

Published

on

Prof. CJ explains how combination of three vaccines was used to address problem 

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Those who have missed Oxford AstraZeneca (Covishield) second jab so far are unlikely to get theirs before the originally stipulated period to ensure the best effect of the vaccine.

Various government spokespersons, including Senior Presidential Advisor Lalith Weeratunga  are on record as having said that the second jab should be administered between 12 to 16 weeks to maximise protection against new variants of coronavirus.

However, State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof Channa Jayasumana yesterday (24) said subsequently the WHO had determined that the second jab could be given in 24 weeks (six months).

Prof. Jayasumana said that though the original deadline couldn’t be met due to the disruption to the supply line, the time and space provided by the latest WHO technical paper would give the government an opportunity to complete the inoculation of those who earlier received Covishield first jab.

Prof. Jayasumana said so in response to The Island queries.

Asked how the government intended to ensure the second jab for approximately 570,000 before the expiring of the new deadline, Prof Jayasumana said that in addition to 264,000 covishield promised through the Covax programme in the second week of July, Sri Lanka would take delivery of 26,000 Pfizer vaccines doses on July 5, 12 and 19 and the remaining requirement would be met through US donation of Covid-19 vaccines, probably Moderna. “If everything goes as expected, the issue of Covishield second jab can be settled by end of July,” Prof Jayasumana said.

According to the State Minister, the WHO has said the second dose could be given after 20 weeks though previously it was 16 weeks. According to WHO technical study dated May 26, 2021. “The uncertainty of future supplies has prompted countries to review policy and programmatic implications, as providing the second dose of the vaccine within the WHO recommended 8-12-week schedule may not be feasible in the near future,” according to the WHO study.

The Island sought an explanation from Prof. Neelika Malavige, who is also the Head, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the Sri Jayewardenepura University Medical Faculty, what would happen if the deadline couldn’t be met. Prof. Malavige said that a slight delay wouldn’t be an issue but in the absence of required data she couldn’t comment on much delayed inoculation and what its impact would be.

Referring to available foreign research data, Prof. Malavige said having the second dose was essential to guarantee the best effect of the vaccine, and in particular to maximise protection against new variants.

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena didn’t answer his mobile phone and therefore the response of the senior most official responsible for Covid-19 counter-measures to the plight of nearly 600,000 persons awaiting the second jab couldn’t be obtained.

Prof. Malavige pointed out that against the backdrop of sharp increase in the cases of the Delta variant, in some parts of the world the administration of the second dose had been advanced. According to the Office of  Health Ministry’s Chief Epidemiologist as at 8pm, June 22, 2021, altogether 372,675 had received the booster shot whereas 925,242 got the first dose during January-April 2021. The report revealed that on June 20, 21 and 22, the covishield second dose had been given to  252, 132 and  385 persons.

Sri Lanka received altogether three stocks of Covishield consisting 1,264,000 from Serum Institute, Pune beginning January 28, 2021. Of them, India and Covax donated 500,000 and  264,000, respectively. Sri Lanka paid for the rest.

The Japanese Embassy on Wednesday (23) said that Sri Lanka’s request for stock of AstraZeneka vaccines was still under consideration. The Island raised the issue with The Japanese embassy in the wake of a statement issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD) on June 09 regarding positive Japanese government response to Sri Lanka’s request.

“President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s request to the Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga for 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine has received  positive response,” PMD stated in a statement soon after the President met Japanese Ambassador in Colombo Sugiyama Akira on June 09.

Asked whether the Japanese Embassy could comment on the PMD statement, the Japanese Embassy has sent The Island the following  statement: When circumstances allow and at an appropriate time, Japan will allocate around 30 million doses of vaccines manufactured in Japan to other countries and regions, including through the COVAX Facility. We have received a request from the Government of Sri Lanka for assistance in relation to vaccines. The two governments are in discussion on the issue and the request is being considered at our HQ. We would like to refrain from making further comments on the diplomatic communications.”

However, according to media reports Japan had already donated 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan early this month.

Authoritative Foreign Ministry sources told The Island that the Sri Lanka reiterated call for urgent supply of AstraZeneca from the UK in the wake of recently concluded G7 summit where the issue of some influential countries hoarding vaccine stocks was revealed.

Both Prof. Jayasumana and Prof. Malavige explained the current status on the basis of relevant documents made available to The Island. Prof Jayasumana acknowledged that it would be the responsibility of the government to ensure the proper implementation of the inoculation drive though some shortcomings were obvious. He said the issue of malpractices in the overall programme couldn’t be  denied but every effort would be made to implement the programme.

 



News

Expert: Mismanagement of CEB hydro resources increases costly oil-powered electricity generation

Published

on

Vidura

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is in one of the strongest hydro storage positions in recent memory, but it has mismanaged key hydropower complexes, causing an increase in oil-powered electricity generation and and costs.

Energy expert Dr. Vidura Ralapanawe has raised serious concerns over CEB’s operational decisions, particularly the skewed use of the Mahaweli and Laxapana hydropower complexes. “By mid-May, the system had ample storage — about 60% overall — which is actually a very good position to be in just before the South-West monsoon rains,” he said. “But within that headline figure is a huge imbalance. Mahaweli reservoirs are near 75%, while Laxapana is languishing at 30%.”

This lopsided storage has already caused direct operational problems. The Canyon power station, which is fed by the Maussakele Reservoir in the Laxapana complex, has been forced to reduce its output. The 60MW plant is now operating at just 40MW due to limited water availability. Downstream, the 100MW New Laxapana station is similarly constrained.

The Laxapana complex is not just another hydropower asset — it plays a vital role in Colombo’s drinking water supply. It is required to run continuously to maintain flows for water treatment plants. “That means the CEB must generate from Laxapana 24/7, no matter what,” Ralapanawe said. “So how did they allow it to reach such a critically low level, especially when Mahaweli reservoirs are full?”

Ralpanawe said: “Instead of making adjustments to maintain operational flexibility, the CEB appears to have run the Laxapana complex harder than necessary in previous months while underutilising Mahaweli, where Victoria and Randenigala are sitting comfortably. The consequence? More reliance on oil-based thermal generation, even as the country’s dams remain well-stocked.”

“This is not just a technical problem — it’s an economic one,” he stressed. “Oil is expensive. When you underutilise hydropower in a year like this, you’re actively choosing to drive up the cost of generation.”

The apparent lack of coordination between the Mahaweli and Laxapana systems is especially baffling given the CEB’s long-standing familiarity with both. “The CEB has operated these systems for over 40 years. They know the inflows, the rainfall patterns, the seasonal irrigation releases — none of this is new,” Ralapanawe said.

Moreover, the growing integration of AI and data-driven forecasting tools in the global energy sector makes such mismanagement increasingly indefensible. “If, in the age of AI, we’re still hearing that ‘it’s too complex’ to manage these reservoirs in tandem, then something is seriously wrong,” he added.

Dr. Ralapanawe urges the CEB to provide an explanation: “Why was Mahaweli underdispatched when it was full? Why was Laxapana overused to the point that we now can’t get full capacity from critical plants like Canyon and New Laxapana? What is the economic impact of burning more oil than necessary?”

The missteps are already costing the public. Higher generation costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers in the form of increased tariffs, a burden made heavier in an already strained economy,” says Dr. Ralapanawe.

Ironically, 2025 was shaping up to be a strong hydro year, offering a rare opportunity for cost savings and reduced fossil fuel use. Instead, mismanagement has left key reservoirs unbalanced and locked the system into a more expensive operating mode — one that benefits oil suppliers but punishes the average household and industry.

Dr. Ralapanawe’s message is blunt: “This is not just about water and electricity. This is about public accountability and economic responsibility. If the CEB cannot manage two hydro systems properly with decades of data at its fingertips, then it must rethink its leadership and planning structures — or risk repeating the same costly mistakes year after year.”

Our efforts to contact CEB officials for comment were in vain.

By Ifham Nizam

Continue Reading

News

Million Lankan women workers will lose their jobs if Trump’s 44 % tariff goes into effect

Published

on

As many as a million Lankan women workers in key export sectors will lose their jobs and income if the 44 percent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump come into force at the end of the 90-day pause, Asia News has reported.

Sri Lanka’s main export industries, such as apparel, tea, gems, rubber and cinnamon, that employ mostly women, will be the most affected by the new tariffs since the US market is one of their most lucrative.

Apparel workers reproach the government for its “lethargic attitude” and failure to consider the concerns of workers and unions, not least because their representatives were not asked to participate in the discussions on tariffs.

The apparel industry accounts for about 40 percent of the country’s total exports, and is crucial for its economy. It also employs mainly women from low-income backgrounds in rural areas, for whom these jobs represent a crucial pathway out of poverty.

Since most apparel workers are also breadwinners, their wages help extended family networks in economically disadvantaged regions.

“The Women’s Centre collaborated with 25 other women’s organisations to carry out our campaign against the US tariffs hindering women workers,” said its Executive Director, Padmini Weerasuriya.

If the tariffs go into effect, “Their take-home pay will decrease significantly,” she added. “As orders dip and approximately six million dependents will also be severely impacted.”

“These women need job security as factories are already discussing about possible layoffs of workers, since demand is likely to drop.”

Compared to India and Bangladesh, she warns, Sri Lankan women face greater competition since “the tariffs imposed on Sri Lanka are higher”. That is why several manufacturers are already moving their operations to Vietnam, Bangladesh and Africa.

If plants shut down, more than 350,000 women working will be impacted. AsiaNews met three of them, 33-year-old Subadra Aponsu, 31-year-old Hemamamli Akaravita and 30-year-old Sandamini Tissera who spoke about their difficulties.

“We are the breadwinners of our families as our parents are elderly and sick. Our siblings are married and they are unable to provide for our parents. During the past several years, we have been working hard and providing for our families. If we lose our jobs, we have no option but to mortgage our homes,” they explained.

“During the economic crisis, we had to sell our paddy fields. Currently, our employers are planning to leave the country. We may lose our jobs shortly. We are unable to find employment elsewhere as almost every apparel manufacturer is planning to sell their business. In our boarding house, several women have already lost their jobs.”

According to economic analysts Sampath Amarasinghe and Niroshini Caldera, “due to the new tariffs, there will be a significant decline in export volumes with a severe erosion of Sri Lankan goods’ competitiveness in US markets.” All this, they warn, could result in “many Sri Lankan products ending up out of reach for US consumers and businesses.”

The greatest risk concerns “price- and cost-sensitive categories like garments, where profit margins are already low and competition from other countries is intense.”

The new tariff will see exports to the United States drop by 20 percent, with an annual loss of about US$ 300 million in foreign currency earnings.

As Sri Lanka’s total exports of goods in 2024 reached US$ 13 billion, the experts conclude, this represents “a major blow to the country’s balance of trade” and “economic growth prospects”.

Meanwhile, several women’s groups started a petition last week in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (the first and largest of the country’s eight FTZs). – (AsiaNews)

Continue Reading

News

Sri Lanka reiterates commitment to repeal PTA in talks with EU

Published

on

EU and Sri Lanka delegations meet in Colombo (pic courtesy Foreign Ministry)

Sri Lanka has again declared its commitment to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during the recently concluded talks with the European Union.

At the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, held in Colombo, Sri Lankan representatives “confirmed the commitment to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and briefed the Working Group on the timeline to replace it with new counter-terrorism legislation in compliance with international norms and standards.”

The PTA has long drawn criticism from civil society, rights organisations, and international observers. The law has enabled arbitrary detention and torture for decades, particularly against Tamils. Despite repeated pledges by successive governments, no comprehensive repeal has yet materialised.

Though the National People’s Power (NPP)-backed government has stated its commitment to repeal the PTA during election campaigns last year, once in power it has not yet taken legislative action to do so.

The following is the text of the joint statement issued by the government and the EU: The eighth meeting of the Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights under the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission was held in Colombo on 5 May.

The Working Group discussed a range of matters of mutual interest, including efforts to combatting corruption, upholding human rights including labour rights; rights of persons belonging to minorities; women’s rights; child rights; a conducive space for civil society; strengthening electoral processes; and preventing discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

During the discussions, the European Union congratulated Sri Lanka on the well-organised and peaceful Presidential and Parliamentary elections last year and Sri Lanka appreciated the European Union Election Observation Mission at the Presidential elections.

The European Union also congratulated Sri Lanka on the stabilisation of the economy, continued efforts towards recovery and important initiatives such as the Government Action Plan for the implementation of governance reforms based on the IMF recommendations. Sri Lanka briefed the European Union on the adoption of the National Action Plan to Combat Corruption as well as steps taken to strengthen the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). The EU and Sri Lanka agreed on the importance of governance and judicial processes to strengthen the rule of law. The Sri Lanka side briefed the EU on the steps being taken by the Government since its election to strengthen the democratic process, governance, rule of law and the legal framework for protecting and promoting human rights. They agreed on the important role of civil society organisations, particularly in fostering inclusive and consultative legislative processes within democratic societies.

The Working Group reiterated its shared commitment to promote and protect human rights and to collaborate, as applicable, on the effective implementation of international human rights instruments. Sri Lanka confirmed the commitment to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and briefed the Working Group on the timeline to replace it with new counter-terrorism legislation in compliance with international norms and standards. The European Union recalled the need to bring relevant legislation in line with international Human Rights and ILO conventions to ensure continued access to the European market through the GSP+ trade preferences.

The European Union welcomed the commitment of the Government to end discrimination and build national unity, as well as the pledge to strengthen the truth and reconciliation framework in Sri Lanka, through an inclusive and participative process of all communities.

The EU and Sri Lanka reiterated their commitment to continue to work in the multilateral UN framework and continue their engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council.

The European Union and Sri Lanka also reaffirmed their shared commitment to continuing to support a multilateral, rules-based international order grounded in international law, with the United Nations at its core.

The conclusions and recommendations of the Working Group will be reported to the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission to be held in Colombo during the latter half of the year.

The Delegation of Sri Lanka was led by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director-General/ Europe and North America Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. The Delegation of the European Union was led by Charles Whiteley, Head of the South Asia Division of the European External Action Service.

Continue Reading

Trending