Govt. looking to increase PCR testing facilities with WB, ADB funds: Pavithra
Currently, there are 34 PCR machines, 1,020 ventilators, and 704 ICU beds being used at government hospitals, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. She said that when the coronavirus pandemic broke out, 25 PCR machines, 220 mobile ventilators, and 61 ICU beds were added on to the existing facilities at those hospitals.
Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27/2, she said that currently, the government has established 25 PCR testing centres and equipped them with 34 PCR machines.
“These machines are sufficient to manage the number of patients at present. However, the government is in the process of increasing these numbers and establishing new PCR testing facilities in order to meet future requirements, with the assistance of the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB),” the minister said.
“We are also in the process of identifying more Intensive Care Units and developing them. Of the 25 PCR machines added to hospitals, 11 were obtained with funds from the Asian Development Bank. In addition, 14 more PCR machines were added with local and international donations. After the emergence of the pandemic in the country, 220 ventilators and 61 ICU beds were added to the government hospital network. We have received 200 mobile ventilators and 20 ICU beds,” she added.
Health Minister Wanniarachchi said that currently, around 11,000 PCR tests are conducted on a daily basis at government hospitals. “These PCR-testing processes take around six hours. In order to make the testing mechanism more efficient, the government is looking for new technologies that use minimal manpower. Accordingly, we have set up 16 automated extractors with robotic arms at government hospital PCR labs,” she added.
The minister said that in addition, two fully-automated machines had also been installed at the Mulleriyawa Infectious Disease Hospital and the Katunayake Airport. The government has been successful in increasing the number of PCR tests conducted on a daily basis from around 300 in March to 11,000 at present, she said, adding that the Rapid Antigen tests have also been added to the system for instant identification of COVID-19 patients.
So far, around 4,000 tests have been conducted, Wanniarachchi said. She added that the Health Ministry has begun implementing a vaccination programme for the virus as well. The minister said that Sri Lanka has already entered the COVAX programme and GAVI vaccine alliance that are working for a vaccine for COVID-19 with technical assistance from the World Health Organisation.
“When obtaining the vaccine, we should give attention to the fact that vaccine trials are in the third clinical stage, and nobody knows when approval will be given to produce them,” she said, adding that when a vaccine is created, Sri Lanka will be able to obtain it for 20% of the population in the country in the first stage, which amounts to 4.2 million Sri Lankans.
Wanniarachchi said that the Health Ministry has put in place the operational structure to implement vaccination after a vaccine is released. Meanwhile, responding to Premadasa’s query on the funeral expenses of COVID-19 victims, Wanniarachchi said that they must be conducted at the expense of the victim’s relatives and not the government. However, she said that if the relatives of the victims were unable to bear the cost of the funeral, measures would be taken to reach out to donors in order to collect funds for the expenses.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, raising a question under Standing Order 27/2, accused the government of failing in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, contrary to it boasting about having tackled the situation effectively. He said that due to serious shortcomings in the mitigation efforts of the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak, the government has failed to identify the country’s priorities and is refusing to accept the gravity of the current situation.
Premadasa also accused the government of failing to issue a statement explaining the Minuwangoda apparel factory cluster; he accused the government of failing to assign more medical staff to mitigate efforts, conduct strict quarantine standards, and increase the PCR testing capacity.
The Opposition Leader accused the government of failing to conduct PCR tests on asymptomatic patients, prior to discharging them from hospitals. However, Minister Wanniarachchi responded by claiming that antibody tests conducted on patients who test positive for the virus, as well as their release from hospitals, is determined by medical specialists.
Four hundred condemned buses to be repaired and added to SLTB fleet: Lokuge
Four hundred condemned buses are to be repaired and added to the fleet of buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) from January 1, next year, Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge said in Parliament, yesterday.
He made this observation the oral answers round, in response to a question raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Hesha Vithanage.
The minister also pointed out that 2,200 buses were imported in 2014 for the use of the Sri Lanka Transport Board.
Government committed to safeguard territorial integrity, human rights: Dinesh
Sri Lankans voted in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa a year ago for the non-aligned foreign policy that was envisaged in the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’, Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said yesterday.
He made this observation in response to Opposition MP Lakshman Kiriella joining the Committee Stage Debate on the financial heads of Foreign Affairs Ministry, Regional Corporation Ministry, and the Mass Media Ministry, under the budget proposals for 2021 presented by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 17.
Minister Gunawardena said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa did not ink an agreement with then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; only a press briefing was held.
He added that the people of this country voted in Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa to prevent damage similar to the one caused by the former Good Governance Government.
Minister Gunawardena said that it was the first time in history, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of a country cosponsored a resolution along with sponsors against their own country, which was what the Good Governance Government did. He said in addition, that the same resolution betrayed the security forces that delivered the people from the thirty-year war.
The minister added that the same resolution infringed the Constitution of the country.
It was inked without the knowledge of Parliament, as well as the then President Maithripala Sirisena, which led to disputes between the President’s and Prime Minister’s offices.
Minister Gunawardena further said that a government’s commitment should be towards safeguarding the mandate of the people—and their vision of unitary status that enjoys sovereignty, independence, security, territorial integrity, and human rights. He said democracy and prosperity now remains unwavered, and that on this basis, he attended the UNHRC in February, this year, as the Foreign Affairs Minister representing the government led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and got the cosponsorship withdrawn.
He added that the government kept the Parliament informed before he went to Geneva, unlike how the Good Governance Government’s Foreign Affairs Minister cosponsored the resolution against the country, without the knowledge of Parliament and the then President.
The new Government of Sri Lanka, for achieving sustainable peace and reconciliation, declared an inclusive, domestically-designed reconciliation accountability process.
It also declared to appoint a Commission of Inquiry headed by a headed by a Supreme Court Judge.
“The UNHRC knows this government’s stance, and we are in the process of setting up that commission. The government would make the necessary institutional reforms to achieve its 2030 sustainable goals. In conjunction with the Member of the UN, Sri Lanka will sit to work towards the closure of the resolution,” he added.
Minister Gunawardena also invited all the stakeholders within and outside to cooperate with the endeavour.
He added that the President has treated all from Point Pedro to Point Dendro equally at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said, “Even Lord Nesby has refuted with factual evidence the allegations against us; what will happen when we say that our security forces had committed them based on unsubstantiated statistics? Lord Nesby’s book is not available in Parliament; it should be brought without any delay as now the era of concealing the truth is over.”
A country-specific resolution was never brought before Geneva. The previous government could not reject it. However, the present government will continue to work and cooperate with the UN, but only through the avenues given by the mandate.
Forest destroyers will be brought to book, irrespective of political affiliations: CB
Those who destroy forests will be brought to book, irrespective of their political affiliations, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C.B. Ratnayake said in Parliament, yesterday.
He made these observations during the oral answers round, in response to a query made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Niroshan Perera.
The minister said that 13 suspects have been arrested in connection with destroying a forest area covering Eluwankulama, Wanathawilluwa, and Puttalam. He added that they have been produced before Magistrate’s Courts.
Minister Ratnayake said the forest area destroyed spanned 29 acres; it had been destroyed in a fire that was started by the suspects.
He added that the land was owned by the Cement Corporation.
Wanathawilluwa Police had arrested the suspects based on the complaint made by Cement Corporation Chairman.
Rs. 25 bn withdrawal from Central Cultural Fund savings account in 2016/19:
Special Committee has handed over report to Prime Minister: Vidura
The Special Committee probing the withdrawal of Rs. 25 billion from the Central Cultural Fund’s saving accounts between 2016 and 2019 has presented its report to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, National Heritage State Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said in Parliament, yesterday.
He made these observations during the Committee Stage Debate of the budget proposals for next year. The minister said nobody knows as to what has happened to that money. He added that a sum of Rs. 10.085 billion was allocated to the financial head of his ministry, this year, and that another sum of Rs.14 billion has been proposed for 2121.
The Opposition said that the previous government, while in power, were said to have granted money to temples through the Central Cultural Fund. However, those temples had not received the money. In the Hambantota District, only a sum of Rs. 418 million has to be spent on temples.
In response to MP Indunil Amarasena, who said that the former UNP government granted funds through ‘Buduputh’ Insurance policy, the state minister said that not a penny had been allocated to it. He added that funds were allocated to that project on October 1, this year, under the present government.
SL welcomes goodwill suggestions, not judgemental postures on decision-making processes: GL
Sri Lanka welcomes suggestions of goodwill, but what is ruled out are judgemental postures in respect of the internal decision-making processes of countries dealing with matters which are within their purview, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said while participating in the Committee Stage Debate of the 2021 Budget in Parliament, yesterday.
“Circumstances of the world at large are certainly not propitious. COVID-19 has proven to be a calamity. There are many lessons to be learnt from this situation. One of the more important lessons is that no nation, no group of countries, or even no culture, has a monopoly of wisdom. Nobody can claim to know all the right answers,” he said, adding that the contemporary experience of the world demonstrates convincingly that there is no room whatsoever for arrogance, bigotry, and self-righteousness.
He went on to say that today, more than in any other time in our history, if we survive this crisis at all, it can only happen on the basis of humility, the sharing of experiences, and a readiness to work hand-in-hand in a spirit of comradeship and solidarity.
The minister said the cornerstone of the foreign policy of our country is crystal clear, and that it was set out with exemplary clarity by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at his inauguration at the precincts of the Ruwanweli Seya temple in Anuradhapura.
“We seek friendship with all nations. We go out of our way to refrain from interfering in the domestic affairs of other nations. At the same time, reciprocally, we expect the other nations will respect, without question, the right of Parliament and the people of Sri Lanka to determine our own destiny.”
This, he said is a rationale underpinning the statement made by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, barely three months after the assumption of office by the President. The government which Minister Gunawardena represents unequivocally rejected Human Rights Council Resolutions 30/1, 34/1, and 40/1 of 2015, 2017, and 2019, respectively. These resolutions were not only supported, but also co-sponsored by the Good Governance Government.
“Indisputably, those resolutions dealt with matters which were within the purview of national institutions in Sri Lanka. They required the rearrangement of Sri Lanka’s constitutional provisions, the restructuring of our armed forces and the police, and the repeal of major legislation such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act. These resolutions also empowered foreign and Commonwealth judges to adjudicate on grave allegations relating to war crimes, which were levelled against the armed forces of Sri Lanka,” Prof. Peiris said, adding that it is the effect of Operative Paragraph 6 of the Resolution of 2015.
He said that it was in violation of the supreme law of this country, the Constitution. This abdication of self-respect was further compounded by the acceptance by that government the obligation to report from time-to-time to the Human Rights Council and to abide by the judgement of that council in respect of the adequacy of the progress that had been made in respect of the implementation of these resolutions.
The entire edifice of the entire UN system is based on one principle, and that is a principle relating to sovereign equality of nations. That principle is illustrated by the seminal instruments of the United Nations system such as the charter, the declaration of human rights, and the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice and its predecessor, the Permanent Court of International Justice.
“All countries that are members of the international community are equal in the eyes of the United Nations system. There can be no discrimination. This is why there can be no spoke for hectoring and for patronising attitudes. This is not to be misunderstood. While suggestions of good-will are welcome, what is absolutely ruled out are judgemental postures in respect of the internal decision-making processes of countries dealing with matters which are within their purview,” he added.
The minister pointed out that while equality is important within the United Nations system, there is another important component: the principle of fairness. This is an instinct embedded in human nature and it represents a component of all systems of law and justice and of all civilizations since time immemorial. One must look at both sides of an issue. These must be weighed in the balance and conclusions must be arrived at objectively without bias or prejudgement.”
From that standpoint, he noted that sadly, the people of Sri Lanka have good reason to entertain grave misgivings. “Evidence of the highest value has been deliberately disregarded, if that evidence is favourable to the armed forces of Sri Lanka. A clear example of that consists of military dispatches by trusted members of foreign countries reporting confidentially to their own capitals. These have been ignored. These dispatches were ferreted out with the greatest difficulty by personators of the eminence of Lord Michael Nesby, both within the House of Lords and outside.”
Peiris said that there were also very critical findings by the Queen’s Counsel of the eminence of Sir Desmond de Silva, Sir Geoffrey Nice, and Rodney Dixon—and these findings completely exonerated the armed forces of any culpability or guilt with regard to war crimes under principles of international humanitarian law or international human rights law.
“So this body of evidence was there and it was never taken into account and it was deliberately ignored. This was done in the lofty name of human rights but it constituted a cynical violation of natural justice and the rules of fairness, both in its substantive and its procedural dimensions,” he said.
Government cannot pull out of international commitments: Sumanthiran
Raising several issues pertaining to Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said that the government cannot pull out of international commitments, as they are commitments made on behalf of the state and not by individual parties.
He noted that it was rather comical to witness the bickering between the government and main Opposition benches, where both parties were trying to absolve themselves from the responsibilities they had undertaken in the international arena.
Joining the third day of the Committee Stage Debate of the 2021 Budget in Parliament, yesterday, he said that these acts are not acts becoming of governments.
“These undertakings are given on behalf of the state. In the international system, these obligations are taken seriously. Minister Gunawardena read out the letter sent in February, this year, claiming to withdraw from the co-sponsorship of UNHRC Resolution 30/1. However, we know that you cannot withdraw from an act that is already done.”
“The minister also said that the co-sponsorship happened without the knowledge of anyone, not even the President at that time. If that be so, how did Sri Lanka co-sponsor Resolution 34/1 and 40/1 several months thereafter, both of which were merely roll-over resolutions of 30/1?” he asked.
“Resolution 30/1 was done on October 1, 2015; 34/1 in March, 2017; and 40/1 in March, 2019—three times over, and the same contents. How does the minister stand up and say that nobody knew about the contents? These undertakings are on behalf of Sri Lanka, of the state,” he said, adding that there are repercussions when pulling out of international commitments.
Sumanthiran questioned the Foreign Minister if he would write a letter to India and withdraw from the Indo-Lanka Accord. “If you haven’t done that with your party in office for several decades, then you must honour it. The Indo-Lanka Accord is still binding.”
The TNA MP said that the basic principles laid down in the Indo-Lanka Accord identifies that the North and East are areas where the Tamil people reside. “You cannot resile from that, nor can you resile from the undertakings given to the UNHRC,” he said.
Sumanthiran pointed out that the 13th Amendment was a promise made by Sri Lanka. The MP also raised the issue of commemorating the dead in the North and said that families have a right to remember their dead. “Sovereignty is for all people, not just for the majority,” he added.
