Health Secretary is trying to conceal information about the pandemic – Free media movement
The Secretary to the Ministry of Health has issued a warning letter to all health departments and officials, regarding making statements through the media, and warning that disciplinary action will be taken against all persons who disregard those provisions and provide information to the media regarding the health service. The Free Media Movement alleged the authorities’ attempt to cover up pandemic information in violation of the public’s right to information through various sources at a time when the covid 19 pandemics is spreading rapidly. Such warnings violate the right of officials to express their views and also obstruct the right of the media to obtain information from various sources. It also adversely affects the trade union rights of public servants as well as their right to organize. The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of Sri Lanka above the regulations of the Establishments Code. The right to information has become a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution and since 2016, a new vision regarding information policies has emerged through the Active Information Act. Therefore, the provisions of the outdated Establishments Code should be logged as those that need to be changed immediately and should not be used to repress officials who disclose their information on behalf of the public. Information and suggestions about corona pandemic made by various trade union associations and team leaders in the field of health regarding the control and management of the pandemic. If health policies are not implemented properly, they should be detected and taken in the right direction in such a pandemic situation which has become a great burden to the people and the country. There is no point in concealing the factual information and protecting the trust of the public as the Secretary has informed. Therefore, the Free Media Movement urges the Health Secretary and other authorities to refrain from attempting to suppress the provisions of the Establishments Code by accusing the health trade unions and other officials who present their information to the media. https://www.facebook.com/aithiya.lk/videos/1020479495366574
Information about 30%of corona infections still has to be traced – Association of PHI
The Association of Public Health Inspectors states that the source of about 30% of the reported corona infections in Sri Lanka cannot be traced. The president of the association Upul Rohana points out that this shows that the virus is already spreading on a large scale and that it is a very serious situation. He said the current PCR tests have been delayed by 3 to 8 days and therefore the disease has started to spread through the associates of some infected people. He added that there could be some reduction in the spreading of the virus by vaccination and by imposing travel restrictions
Sirasa News First broadcasted in the Chinese language
Sirasa Rupavahini used the Chinese language during its main news broadcast. This was broadcasted after presenting the Colombo Port City Commission Bill was accepted in the Parliament. A few years ago, in the early days of the port city, the Sirasa channel carried a brick around the country and worshipped it.
Sri Lanka will report around 100 deaths shortly – Medical experts
The Association of Specialist Physicians estimates that the number of coronavirus deaths per day can exceed 100 in near future. Its chairman, Specialist Dr Lakkumar Fernando, said strict travel restrictions should be strictly enforced for at least fourteen consecutive days and the travel restrictions imposed in this manner should not be a break along the way. The only way to avoid the imminent danger was to immediately impose long travel restrictions, he said. They expressed these views at a media briefing held in Colombo.
The number of infected people in the country will double during next month – Colombo University reveals
The number of daily corona infections in Sri Lanka is expected to double by the end of May and June, Professor Manoj Weerasinghe of the Colombo Medical Faculty said. In many countries where the virus has spread rapidly, the situation has been brought under control by imposing strict travel restrictions; he added. The government has been informed by the health sector in this regard and it is the responsibility of the government to take the final decision in this regard and it is estimated that around 5,000 infected people will be found shortly, he said.
An investigation is conducting to find whether there is any environmental damage caused by the burning ship
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has taken steps to investigate whether the cargo ship that caught fire in the sea near the Colombo harbour has caused any environmental damage, chairperson, Attorney-at-Law Dharshani Dahadapura, said. According to the reports a team of officers has sent to the area to investigate. The ship, “Express Pearl” registered in Singapore and it was transporting chemical was on 10 nautical miles off the coast of Colombo when a fire broke out. The Sri Lanka Navy, the Air Force and the Ports Authority have brought the fire under control and the risk has not abated due to the chemicals stored in it.
Corona current situation in Sri Lanka – One out of every seven tests is infected with the virus- health policy institutes.
According to the latest analysis by the health policy institute, It has been reported that one infected person is found in every seven corona tests conducted in the country. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors’ Association states that some test reports have been delayed for about 10 days. As a result, public health inspections have at times been threatened by the public demanding the results, the association said.
Sri Lanka reported 44 corona related deaths -The highest number of covid deaths in a single day
The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed that 44 deaths in Sri Lanka due to covid-19 infection. That number is also the highest number of deaths reported in a single day and the Government Information Department said that the confirmation was made with the persons who died between May 2 and May 20. Accordingly, the total number of deaths in the country has risen to 1,132.
Today is the Republic Day of Sri Lanka
The Constitution of the Republic of Sri Lanka was adopted by Parliament on 22 May 1972 to replace the Soulbury Constitution introduced by Britain. Republic Day and is considered as one of the most important milestones in the history of this country because it complete the independence in Sri Lanka after it was British colony for years. However, former Minister Tissa Vitarana says that the Republic Day of Sri Lanka has not yet received the respect it deserves in Sri Lankan society.
A plan discussed to control corona infection in the country in June
The Coronavirus will be under control in Sri Lanka by the end of June, Dr Prasanna Gunasena, Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation said. He said that 29 million doses were needed to vaccinate people over the age of 20 in Sri Lanka and the country has already secured 32 million doses. He said that all the vaccines ordered from Russia, China and the United States would be received to Sri Lanka before December. Three million doses from China and one million doses from Russia would arrive in Sri Lanka in June and the pandemic would be brought under control as soon as they are vaccinated, he further said. He said these during a meeting with President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday.