Ten-fold rise mooted for COVID fines | Daily News

Ten-fold rise mooted for COVID fines

Aim to curb COVID pandemic
Zero tolerance for violators of health guidelines
Rs.200 billion for COVID control efforts

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday stated that the Ministry is taking all possible measures to curb COVID-19 menace by imposing strict laws against those who violate stipulated health guidelines.

Minister Wanniarachchi said that the Health Ministry is now discussing with Police to take measures to increase the existing fine of Rs 5,000 for those who violate COVID guidelines issued by the health authorities to Rs 50,000. There will be no tolerance for those who brazenly violate the health guidelines and quarantine laws.

The Minister made this observation participating at the inauguration ceremony of the Catheterization Laboratory established at the Nagoda General Hospital, Kalutara. The hospital received this essential cardiac catheterization laboratory under a Chinese project to improve the facilities of selected government hospitals.

She disclosed that the Cabinet has again approved a sum of Rs. 200 billion for the Ministry of Health for COVID control. “We can save this country by suppressing COVID. We have a strong faith in that. If we could suppress the first and second COVID waves, it would not be difficult to suppress the third wave. We are working towards that goal. When we enact laws for that, those laws should be properly implemented in the country. The Ministry of Health and the Police should work together to enforce the law on those who do not follow the guidelines. We will change the existing fine of Rs. 5,000 from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000 and work to eradicate this disease,” she stressed.

“When a heart attack occurs, the coronary arteries of the heart patient become blocked. The blocked coronary arteries need to be reopened in about an hour and a half with a stent. It is an emergency treatment that must be done to save the patient’s life. The cardiac catheterization laboratory is used for these surgeries. People in the Kalutara District and all the people in the adjoining districts will be able to access this service. Our hope is to provide at least one cardiac catheterization laboratory in every province of Sri Lanka,” she added.

Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and several other invitees were present.


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