The Public Health Inspectors Union has called on the authorities to issue the long overdue gazette notification incorporating the health guidelines, if the August 5 elections are to be conducted in a safe manner.
He was speaking to the media after a meeting with the Election Commission chairman yesterday against the backdrop of rising coronavirus cases following the detection of the Kandakadu drug rehabilitation centre cluster.
He said at least 16 districts had been affected by the current cluster and by yesterday some 2,800 people had been put under quarantine by Public Health Inspectors.
Insisting that the gazette notification was essential for the safe conduct of the polls, Mr. Balasuriya said if guidelines were gazetted they would be in a strong position to implement the regulations and take action against those who violate them.
The PHI union leader said yesterday’s talks with Election Commission chief centred on the delay in issuing the gazette and holding elections under the present Covid pandemic situation. “We discussed the challenges faced by health officials in ensuring that the elections are held in a safe manner.
Mr. Balasuriya said the EC chairman had assured him he would make sure the gazette was published as early as possible.
Commenting on political rallies where the physical distancing rule is not observed, the PHI union chief said they requested from all mainstream political parties to stop their political meetings, but except for one party, the advice had not been heeded.
“We request political party leaders to stop their rallies at least for one week until the situation is brought under some control,” he said.
The Finance Ministry has released full details of the removal of the suspension on Importation of Motor Vehicles.
Speaker Ashoka Ranawala whose educational qualifications have been questioned has decided to step down from the post of Speaker
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