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Thousands of people gathered at many centres in Colombo to get themselves vaccinated as part of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. A nurse wearing protective gear is seen preparing to give a jab to a person at a Darley Road community centre in Colombo. Pic by M. A. Pushpakumara
Rs. 25 billion from World Bank to fight COVID-19, but projects on slow track
A Rs 25 billion (USD 128 million) loan was made available to the government by the World Bank under its COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Project last year, according to a World Bank report. But many COVID-19-related initiatives that were scheduled to be implemented before the end of last year were still in [...]
Govt. seeks funds from INGOs and NGOs for Covid battle
The Government has requested International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and local NGOs to donate their allocated funds for the remaining quarters of the year for the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic which has surged to critical proportions in recent weeks. Raja Goonaratne, Director-General (DG) of the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organisations, told the Sunday Times that [...]
Easter attack probes incomplete: AG says unable to file indictments before his retirement
Outgoing Attorney General (AG) Dappula De Livera has informed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickramaratne that he is unable to file indictments against any of the suspects arrested over the Easter Sunday terror attacks before his retirement on May 24 as police have not confirmed whether any of the investigations has been completed. In [...]
Human-elephant conflict: GI pipes from China for 1500km fence; procurement procedures waived
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to seek the help of the Chinese embassy to buy galvanised iron (GI) pipes to put up a 1,500km-long fence to prevent the entry of elephants into villages. The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has submitted a cabinet paper to deviate from procurement procedure and buy the GI [...]
Agrochemicals stuck in port, Govt. insists on shift to organic fertiliser
Several consignments of previously-ordered fertilisers and pesticides were stuck in the Colombo port this week despite a gazette being issued to permit any shipments of agrochemicals seaborne on or before May 5 to arrive, be cleared and distributed. The block occurred because the necessary instructions had not been conveyed by the relevant authorities, a spokesman [...]
No vaccine yet for new nurses at COVID-19 treatment centres
Serious concerns are being expressed over the “dragging of feet” by the Epidemiology Unit in vaccinating more than 2,000 newly-trained nurses who have recently been appointed to COVID-19 treatment centres. Some excuse or another is being made by epidemiology officials but the vaccination of these nurses is not happening even though the matter has been [...]
Human-elephant conflict: GI pipes from China for 1500km fence; procurement procedures waived
The Cabinet has approved a proposal to seek the help of the Chinese embassy to buy galvanised iron (GI) pipes to put up a 1,500km-long fence to prevent the entry of elephants into villages. The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation has submitted a cabinet paper to deviate from procurement procedure and buy the GI [...]
Lanka escapes Tauktae lashing, but threats loom from monsoon amid pandemic
The Arabian Sea tropical cyclone Tauketae is heading towards the western coast of India but not before causing havoc here with about 50,000 being affected by floods, landslides and strong winds upto Sunday. “Altyhough the cyclone Tauktae is moving towards India’s Gujarat region for a landfall on Tuesday and its adverse effects on Sri Lanka are receding, [...]
Tourism takes nosedive again as tourists left in quandary
The latest wave of COVID-19 and inter-provincial travel restrictions have led to a spate of cancellations and departures by tourists. Around 60 percent of the guests he brought in are leaving, said Yohan Perera, Managing Director of Claremont Travels, a ticketing agency. Future flight bookings were also cancelled. Multiple other travel industry sources confirmed the [...]
Coming soon: A website to book your vaccine
A website where persons could register their names and obtain a prior booking to obtain the vaccination for COVID-19 will soon be introduced by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), officials said. The website will be launched as a pilot project next week from the Army hospital and thereafter will be made available for [...]
As covid virus spreads in Tamil Nadu, more refugees from Sri Lanka want to come home
With India witnessing the worst phase of the global COVID-19 pandemic amidst life-threatening shortages of drugs, vaccines, oxygen, hospital beds and medical equipment, more and more Sri Lankan refugees are fleeing or want to flee the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu by taking the illegal sea route to reach Sri Lanka. The Sunday Times [...]
Danger months for dengue loom as COVID consumes resources
With the health system sending all hands on deck to fight the COVID pandemic raging throughout the country, the annual dengue fever eradication programme has suffered just as monsoon showers signal the worst months for dengue. The health system is using all health workers to contain COVID-19, leaving dengue eradication programmes starved of resources, National [...]
Govt. departments keep wheels moving amidst travel restrictions
While islandwide travel restrictions are to be lifted at 4 a.m. on Monday (17), functions in many sectors of the country will still be limited owing to COVID-19 health guidelines and restrictions that will continue to be in place. Inter-provincial travel will remain banned till May 31, while a daily nighttime curfew will be in [...]
Prevention best remedy, says State Minister
Prevention, prevention and prevention. These are the surest short, middle and long-term measures to beat back and control COVID-19. This is the specific answer from the State Minister of Primary Health Services, Pandemics and COVID-19 Prevention, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle who knows what she is talking about as she is a Community Physician. “The short-term strategy [...]
Health Ministry radiates morale booster & supportive supervision
There are no standard procedures or internationally declared guidelines to differentiate between ‘travel restrictions’ and ‘lockdowns, said a top health official, pointing out that both mean that there would be travel restrictions. The Health Ministry’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Division head, Dr. Hemantha Herath, said that usually these words are used interchangeably. When it comes [...]
‘Colombo city under control & vaccination going on’
COVID-19 within the city is basically “well-controlled”, said Colombo Municipal Council’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni on Saturday. Going by evidence at ground level, he said that 30 people were positive when they carried out targeted random testing of 838 people in all wards and places where cases are being reported. This means a [...]
SL needs strict mobility restrictions – allow only major economic activity and essential services
The urgent need to bring about strict mobility restrictions while maintaining major economic activities and essential services, has been strongly stressed by an expert group convened by the Sri Lanka Office of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Independent Expert Group Meeting which had discussed ‘Optimizing the health sector response to the current COVID-19 surge [...]
Our nightingales who hold up the lamp of hope to many COVID patients, amidst their own hardships
“We are exhausted to the maximum, the condition of patients being admitted to the hospital is taking a deadly turn. The death rate is increasing and causing mental distress among nurses. I continue to console many nurses who weep when they fail to save the life of a person whom they have looked after for [...]
‘Get tested and seek medical help, as delays can lead to death’
Don’t hide your symptoms because that could lead to severe disease and even death, warned a top clinician who has been treating COVID-19 patients from the beginning of the pandemic in Sri Lanka. “Come early and we can save you. Lede hangagana inna epa,” said Consultant Physician Dr. Eranga Narangoda of the Homagama Base Hospital [...]
Who can get what vaccine?
With many people confused about who can get what vaccine, the Sunday Times asked the Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Prof. Neelika Malavige to shed some light on this issue. Sri Lanka has so far given emergency-use listing (EUL) to the AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinopharm and Pfizer [...]
Pick of the Pix
From our readers Shutterbugs out there, we would once again appreciate your contributions to this picture corner. Please send your captioned photograph along with your name, and the location of the photograph, to: pictures@sundaytimes.wnl.lk
A fisherman’s tale
“Disability need not be an obstacle to success,” Stephen Hawking ,one of the most influential scientists of modern times said. Devapriya Vass took this to heart. Marians Devapriya Vass is a father of three residing in Mohoththuwarama in Kalpitiya He makes a living going to sea on a raft. He has a rare disorder which [...]