Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem, MP, recently told The Island that Sri Lanka had no option but to involve India in the development of the deep water facility, the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port, which has been built to accommodate the largest container ships that ply around the world carrying as many as 16,000 containers (TEUs), like its competing Chinese-run Colombo International Container Terminal also in the more recently built and what is known as the Colombo South harbour.
The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) Kandy District lawmaker said so in response to the writer seeking an explanation as regards his stand on the issue at hand in the wake of his quite controversial statement on Derana ‘Wadapitiya’, anchored by Chathura Alwis.
In response to The Island assertion that the SLMC leader took a bold but factual stand on the matter and responded: Why beat around the bush? That is the truth.”
He hit the nail on the head, when Attorney-at-Law Hakeem declared that due to the Colombo harbour’s very heavy dependence on Indian transhipment cargo, there was no choice.
Having first entered Parliament in 1994 on the People’s Alliance (PA) National List, Hakeem took over the leadership of the SLMC soon after its founder leader M.H.M. Ashraff was killed in a helicopter crash in September 2000.
Amidst a simmering dispute over alleged Indian investment in the ECT that had engulfed the SLPP administration, Hakeem is the only lawmaker to publicly come out with the somewhat unpalatable truth that the bulk of Colombo port’s business come from Indian transhipment cargo. Hakeem, who has been in the PA, UPFA (United People’s Freedom Alliance) and the UNF (United National Front) governments as a Cabinet Minister didn’t mince his words and quite surprised the other participants, Wasantha Samarasinghe (former JVP MP and its current Anuradhapura District leader) and State Ministers, D.V. Chanaka (Hambantota District) and D.B. Herath (Kurunegala District).
Hakeem joined the programme after its commencement but lucidly explained his stand on a number of matters, including the simmering dispute over cremation of Muslim Covid-19 victims and the high profile ECT transaction. The SLMC group, within the 54-member SJB, consists of five lawmakers, including Hakeem. Hakeem recently suffered a severe setback when his four other MPs in Parliament voted for the SLPP’s 20th Amendment last October, while he alone from his party voted against it.
Besides the yahapalana regime, in which Hakeem’s SLMC was a full partner, had already muddied the Lankan waters by giving away the Hambantota Port to China on a 99-year lease. So it is only natural for New Delhi to have a foothold in Colombo with the ECT. Even our comrades, the JVP, though now making lots of noise over ECT going to the Adani Group of India, hardly murmured a word in protest when it was cavorting with the yahapalana regime at the time of the virtual sale of Hambantota to the Chinese.
The Kandy District MP, who had previously held the Ports and Shipping portfolios, said that the SLPA (Sri Lanka Ports Authority) owned JCT (Jaya Container Terminal) in addition to Unity Container Terminal. The SLMC leader emphasized the need to further develop JCT whereas CMPH (China Merchant Port Holdings) managed Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) and Keells-led conglomerate owned South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) conducted their operations successfully.
Amidst the simmering ECT issue, the former Minister declared that though some opposed foreign investment in such strategic projects, the country facing a daunting financial crisis had no option but to accept the Indian investment.
Ironically when the SLPA advertised the Colombo South Harbour for investment after it built its breakwater with a USD 300 million loan from the Asian Development Bank after the end of the war, India was not interested and for that matter no one else made any worthwhile offer other than the Chinese. However as in the case of Hambantota, New Delhi awakened to its value when the China Merchant Port Holdings singlehandedly bid and obtained the CICT berth on a 35-year Build, Operate and Transfer agreement after 2010, with the SLPA holding a mere 15 per cent stake in the venture.
Lawmaker Hakeem asserted that the situation here could be stabilized by Indian involvement in the expansion of the overall Colombo Port operations. The SJB constituent took up the position that the country was in such a desperate situation, the incumbent government couldn’t afford to antagonize India.
How Indian investments can stabilize Lanka
Hakeem took a very clear stand on ECT as well as overall foreign investment in the ports and shipping sectors. The former Ports Minister articulated that against the backdrop of foreign investment in SAGT, the first public private partnership container terminal in Sri Lanka and also CICT, there couldn’t be any issue with regard to the agreed Indian investment.
SAGT launched operations in 1999. According to the SAGT: The Company is a Board of Investment flagship entity with approximately 60% of Sri Lankan shareholding, and is backed by John Keells Holdings, APM Terminals, SLPA and Peony investments (subsidiary of Evergreen Marine Corporation).”
State Minister Herath interrupted MP Hakeem to raise a question though the former ignored the SLPP politician.
Hakeem declared that under no circumstances he would say not to accept Indian investment though the final decision lies with the incumbent government. The former Shipping Minister made reference to current Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena declaration that 49 per cent of the ECT ownership would be foreign and the remaining 51 owned by the government. SLPA holds just 15 per cent each of SAGT and CICT. The SAGT deal is for a 30-year period on BOT (Build Operate and Transfer basis) whereas the agreement on CICT covers 35 years.
Hakeem’s stand drew opposition from all other participants, including Chathura Alwis. However, Hakeem stood firm on his stand regardless of consequences. The SLMC leader asserted that Sri Lanka couldn’t turn a blind eye to the need to appease India. Declaring that Sri Lanka had appeased India before, Hakeem, turning towards Wasantha Samarasinghe emphasized the country should come to terms with the reality.
State Minister Chanaka asked Hakeem whether the previous yahapalana government entered into a MoC (Memorandum of Cooperation) with India in respect of the ECT. Hakeem however conveniently side-stepped the query, while JVPer Samarasinghe said that was finalized in May 2019.
After having been an active team player in the much muddied yahapalana rule, MP Hakeem however had the nerve to ridicule the incumbent government’s much touted ‘neutral’ foreign policy. I haven’t the slightest idea what this government meant by neutral or balanced foreign policy. If we took a non-aligned stand, the public can clearly understand what the government intended. How one can balance the foreign policy,” MP Hakeem said.
Hakeem silent on inter-terminal transport crisis
Trade union leader Samarasinghe alleged that one-time Ports and Shipping Minister Hakeem conveniently failed to mention the crisis caused by what the JVPer called inter-terminal transport.
Samarasinghe alleged that the inter-terminal transport was in a mess. For want of sufficient space within the harbour area, vessels couldn’t be unloaded. Samarasinghe claimed that successive governments caused unprecedented deterioration due to giving the relevant contract to immensely politically influential people outside proper tender procedures.
MP Hakeem without hesitation acknowledged the crisis within the harbour, in addition to the simmering issue over the ECT.
State Minister Herath sought MP Hakeem’s opinion on the leasing of the Hambantota Port for a period of 99 years to CMPH in late July 2017. Having been a partner to that pact, MP Hakeem naturally defended the agreement on Hambantota Port to the hilt. Hakeem had been a member of the Cabinet of the yahapalana government that finalized the controversial deal on the Hambantota Port. The then Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga strongly opposed the deal. UNPer Ranatunga’s stance finally led to him being replaced by SLFPer Mahinda Samarasinghe. Ranatunga was replaced on May 22, 2017. The former national cricket Captain received the Petroleum Resources Development Ministry as a consolation prize.
Both the Minister and his brother, Dhammika objected to the deal whereas Vasudeva Nanayakkara on behalf of the Joint Opposition, moved the Supreme Court against the port transaction.
President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe ensured the finalization of the controversial transaction following the delay caused by the opposition.
Panelist Samarasinghe asked Hakeem whether the yahapalana government used USD 1.2 bn received from CMPH to settle what we owed China. Warning Sri Lanka would run out of foreign reserves next year once debts were settled, MP Hakeem predicted an unprecedented financial crisis.
The SLMC leader asserted that except China all other countries were in deepening financial turmoil. The MP categorized Sri Lanka with Angola, Liberia and Lebanon. While acknowledging the economic deterioration started during the yahapalana administration, MP Hakeem faulted the incumbent government for not being able to tackle the situation.
Hakeem warned that unless the government and the Opposition worked together, the country would have to go down on its knees to international lenders as Sri Lanka had done before on many occasions. In spite of big boasts by some, those in power and others should be realistic and be aware of the challenges faced by the country. Hakeem predicted a massive tragedy. He expressed the view that against the backdrop of the incumbent government asking for foreign investments, it should be ready to consider investments in sectors preferred by those having the wherewithal. We have to be realistic.”
Emphasizing the responsibility on the part of Sri Lanka to exploit the country’s strategic position in the East-West route on the Indian Ocean, the SLMC leader explained how the two strategic harbours in Colombo and Hambantota could be utilized.
Now that Sri Lanka had given controlling shares to one terminal at the Colombo harbour to China why not another to India, the SJB lawmaker asserted, demanding that Sri Lanka adopt a realistic approach as the country is desperately in need of foreign investment.
Subsequently, Hakeem suggested that the controlling shares of the ECT should be given to India, Japan though JVPer Samarasinghe insisted the SLPA could handle it. With the installation of three gantry cranes, 400 m long ECT is in operation now. A further 800 m has to be built,” Samarasinghe said, asserting USD 400 mn investment was required. With the three cranes, ECT in op even now with the 440m already built, now had to build 800 m more, which required USD 400 mn.
Declaring the SAGT and CICT generated an annual income of USD 160 mn and 250 mn, respectively,
Samarasinghe asked why investors could not build a terminal in the remaining Western side. It can be bigger than all existing facilities. Why do we have to give up lucrative ECT?”
Samarasinghe predicted in spite of claims that SLPA would receive 51 per cent and the investor 49 holding per cent, finally ECT, it too, was expected to be eventually shared in the proportion of 15 per cent to the SLPA and 85 per cent to the investor.
ECT aggravates Prez, PM dispute
The then President Maithripala Sirisena and Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe clashed over the ECT. The dispute caused rapid deterioration of yahapalana relationship in the run-up to the sacking of Wickremesinghe’s government on Oct 26, 2018. Wickremesinghe insisted on Indian investment whereas Sirisena rejected it. But, Wickremesinghe went ahead with the project regardless of the President’s intervention. Amidst deepening turmoil, Wickremesinghe brought in Japan into the picture.
On the instructions of Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka, Japan and India signed a MoC on the ECT on May 28, 2019. According to an SLPA statement issued following the signing of the MoC, the GoSL through the SLPA retained 100% ownership of the ECT, while the Terminal Operatiing Company, is jointly owned. Sri Lanka will hold a 51 per cent-stake in the project and the joint venture partners will retain 49%.
The ECT is positioned about 3 km away from the China-funded Colombo Port City on reclaimed land on Colombo’s sea front.
Japan is likely to provide a 40-year soft loan with a 0.1 percent interest rate,” The Hindu quoted Sudarshana Gunawardana, Director of Development Communications at the Prime Minister’s office as having said. The SLPA then termed the envisaged Japanese loan” as one of the best loan terms Sri Lanka has obtained”.
What is not yet clear is whether the incumbent government intends to go ahead with the MoC finalized by Wickremesinghe or change it.
JVP, SJB on ECT deal
The JVP played a significant role in paving the way for the disastrous Maithripala Sirisena presidency. The likes of trade unionist Samarasinghe have conveniently forgotten how the JVP backed UNP’s presidential candidate Sirisena, the longstanding General Secretary of the SLFP. Having installed Sirisena, the UNP-led coalition comprising one-time LTTE mouthpiece Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the JVP, the SLMC pursued an agenda of its own. One shouldn’t be surprised by lawmaker Hakeem standing as a UNP breakaway faction the SJB still followed UNP strategies though Wickremesinghe obviously had no say in its affairs.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella’s recent declaration that the government should take advantage of the constitution making process undertaken by the previous yahapalana government is a case in point.
Lawmakers Kirieilla and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake recently flayed the government over the decision to involve India’s biggest ports and logistic company Adani Group in the operation. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited seems to be confident of overcoming the obstacles. The project that had been delayed due to labour protests launched ahead of the last parliamentary polls in August drew stepped up condemnation of the SJB and the JVP.
It would be pertinent to ask whether the SJB and the JVP opposed only the involvement of Adani Group in the ECT development or disputed the MoC finalized in May 2019 in the run-up to Nov 2019 presidential polls by the previous regime, in which JVP and present day SJB members were partners?
SJB heavyweight Kiriella speculated whether the government intended to win over Indian Premier Narendra Modi by giving control of the ECT to billionaire Gautam Adani. Kiriella asserted that Sri Lanka couldn’t appease India by giving ECT to a close friend of Modi. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Obviously, the SJB hasn’t taken into consideration the roles played by India and Japan as well as Australia in the overall Indo-Pacific US strategy meant to counter the growing Chinese challenge. The US led coalition is still struggling to cope up with the vastly strengthened China relentlessly pursuing an anti- China policy.
A ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ with Japan
JVP leader Dissanayake is on record as having said that a director and a local shareholder of Shangri-La who had been involved with Viyathmaga, too, promoted the deal with Adani Group. The JVPer also alleged that the same person immensely benefited from recent government decisions to change import levies on sugar and coconut oil.
Outgoing US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s recent visit to New Delhi and Colombo highlighted their strategy. There is no doubt the Adani Group’s move on the ECT had been approved by the highest level of political leadership and the talk of Sri Lanka trying to appease India by involving Gautam Adani is nothing but bunkum.
The public should not forget the then Premier Wickremesinghe entered into a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ with Japan in early Oct, 2015. In the following year on Oct 09, the training squadron of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) was in Colombo to underscore the strengthening of the partnership. The writer had an opportunity to visit JS Kashima on the invitation of the Japanese Embassy in Colombo. Asked for a clarification as regards growing Japanese military role in Asia in support of the US as well as joint military cooperation among the US, Japan and India in response to the Chinese Challenge, Commanding Officer of the squadron Rear Admiral Hidetoshi Iwasaki explained the circumstances under which the Japanese forces could be deployed overseas along with the US.
Sri Lanka-Japan ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ should be examined taking into consideration three agreements sought by the US, the ACSA (Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement finalized in early August 2017), stalled MCC (Millennium Challenge Corporation) Compact and SOFA (Status of Forces) agreement. The recent US declaration that Sri Lanka wouldn’t be accommodated in the MCC Compact is unlikely to be the end of the US efforts to bring Sri Lanka under its control.
As part of overall Western strategy, the US seeks a government receptive in Colombo. The US wants to deny China access to Sri Lanka. The US made an abortive bid to install the then General Sarath Fonseka as the President in January 2010. However, the US project succeeded at the January 2015 presidential election. The Sirisena-Wickremesinghe regime initially took a hardline stand on China. Some members of that administration responsible for Treasury bond scams in Feb 2015 and March 2016 alleged corruption couldn’t be tackled here unless Chinese investments were drastically pruned. Having accused China of promoting corruption here, the yahapalana administration ended up handing over the Hambantota Port on a 99-year lease to China.
In the run-up to the July 2017 Hambantota Port deal, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa accompanied by ex-External Affairs Minister and Chairman of the SLPP Prof. G.L. Peiris visited Beijing where the issue was discussed. During the weeklong visit in late 2016, they also visited Southern China. They urged the Chinese to stick to the original Hambantota development project to avert possible protests. They suggested it would be better to utilize 750 acres as originally planned. This suggestion was made against the backdrop of the then Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrema’s revelation that the Chinese wanted 15,000 acres of land in the Hambantota district for large scale development projects. In the second week of January 2017, Wickremesinghe launched the Hambantota project in spite of President Sirisrena’s objections. Wickremesinghe ignored Sirisena’s claim that the agreement hadn’t been finalized yet. Having launched the Hambantota project, Wickremesinghe declared that negotiations were underway with India and Japan for the development of the strategic Trincomalee Port.
With US-China hostility on the rise, Sri Lanka shouldn’t expect breathing space from either party. A much weaker economy as a result of the rampaging corona epidemic when compared with the time Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the presidency in Nov 2019, should prompt Sri Lanka to adopt an austerity drive.
Let that begin at the Parliament, dubbed the most corrupt institution in the country by no less a person than one-time Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, PC.
Traditional medicinal products which enhance immunity have been able to contain the COVID- 19 pandemic in Sri Lanka to some extent, an official said over the weekend.
President Ayurvedic Medical Association Dr. Prasadh Hendavitharana told a seminar organised by the National Movement for Social Justice on Sunday that traditional medicinal substances such as coriander which enhances immunity have been able to contain the spread of COVID-19 to some extent.
Consumption of traditional medicine such as Coriander which enhances immunity has resulted in the containment of the ongoing pandemic in Sri Lanka,”dr. Hendavitharana said.
However the issue with Sri Lanka is the absence of an organised programme to make use of traditional medicine to contain the pandemic.
Additional Reporting
According to the UK Institue of Immunology :
The immune system is a complex system of structures and processes that has evolved to protect us from disease. Molecular and cellular components make up the immune system. The function of these components is divided up into nonspecific mechanisms, those which are innate (natural) to an organism, and responsive responses, which are adaptive to specific pathogens. Fundamental or classical immunology involves studying the components that make up the innate and adaptive immune system.
Innate immunity ( Natural) is the first line of defence and is non-specific. That is, the responses are the same for all potential pathogens, no matter how different they may be. Innate immunity includes physical barriers (e.g. skin, saliva etc) and cells (e.g. macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, mast cells etc). These components ‘are ready to go’ and protect an organism for the first few days of infection. In some cases, this is enough to clear the pathogen, but in other instances the first defence becomes overwhelmed and a second line of defence kicks in.
Adaptive immunity is the second line of defence which involves building up memory of encountered infections so can mount an enhanced response specific to the pathogen or foreign substance. Adaptive immunity involves antibodies, which generally target foreign pathogens roaming free in the bloodstream. Also involved are T cells, which are directed especially towards pathogens that have colonised cells and can directly kill infected cells or help control the antibody response.
One’s individual ability to produce immune bodies, and thereby ward off pathogens, is influenced by one’s state of physical health, one’s nutritional status, and one’s emotional response (one’s
level of mindfulness)
Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya Courtesy The Daily Mirror
The majority of patients among 547 COVID-19 cases reported in the country yesterday are from the Colombo District, and the highest number of those cases were reported in Dematagoda, Kirulapona and Wellawatta areas.
Accordingly, 247 cases have been reported in Colombo yesterday and among them 121 patients have been identified in Dematagoda, while 23 from Kirulapona and 18 from Wellawatta.
Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Colombo since the second wave from October 4, surges to 17,728.
In addition, 124 cases have been reported in the Gampaha District, 44 from Kandy and 39 from Kalutara Districts were reported yesterday.
The Police Special Task Force (STF) has been deployed in Mawanella town to strengthen security following an incident where stone was pelted at a shrine of Buddha opposite the Dadimunda Devalaya at Hingula in Mawanella.
The Mawanella police have launched an investigation into this incident. According to the police, a glass of the Buddha’s shrine was broken.
Security personnel including the Army have been deployed at the scene following the incident.
Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and Ayurvedic Hospitals Development and Community Health State Ministry stated that the syrup manufactured by Dhammika Bandara from Kegalle which allegedly suppresses the coronavirus infection can only be directed to clinical trial after it obtains the ethical certificate. <
Speaking to Hiru News Ministry Secretary Kumari Weerasekara stated that the Ministry is to receive the relevant certificate within the next two days.
The Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Indigenous Medicine Promotion has referred the matter to the Rajarata University for certification.
Since this is a local medicine, steps were taken to register it as a local medicine before the code of ethics, that is after making sure that the syrup does not contain any substances that are harmful to the human body
However, the Secretary further stated that until the Certificate of Ethics is received, it is not possible to refer it to clinical trials for a final decision regarding its recommendation for public use.
However, it was also reported that five people infected with the coronavirus after consuming the said syrup were referred to COVID treatment centres.
A woman in the Othnapitiya, Nelumdeniya has contracted the coronavirus even after consuming this syrup. Her mother has also been hospitalized, and it was yet to be confirmed whether she is infected with the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Dhammika Bandara of Kegalle says that Western doctors in Sri Lanka are obstructing the medicine he has prepared for COVID patients.
Prof. Jennifer Perera, the Chairman of the expert committee appointed to determine the course of action to be taken regarding the corpses of people who have died due to coronavirus infection, has submitted its report to the Ministry of Health.
Steps were taken to appoint a new nine-member expert committee to give an opinion on whether the bodies of those who died after being infected with the virus should be cremated or buried.
The report of the expert committee chaired by Prof. Jennifer Perera was handed over to the Ministry of Health yesterday afternoon.<br /><br />Hiru news team was informed that the decision of the report of the expert committee has been an unanimous decision regarding the course of action to be taken regarding the dead bodies.
Although we have tried on several occasions to contact the Secretary to the Ministry of Health to inquire into the submission of this committee report to the Ministry of Health, it has been unsuccessful and the statement from his office is that the Secretary is attending meetings.
However, an expert committee had previously been appointed to decide on the course of action to be taken regarding the corpses of those who died due to corona and the committee recommended cremation.
A protest was held in Matale today with the participation of monks and residents of the area to protest against the burial of corona infected bodies.
Meanwhile, a resident of the Kaluwella area in Galle who was admitted to the Kalubowila Hospital died on November 30. A subsequent PCR test was carried out. The test revealed that he was infected with the corona virus.
Athula Kotugoda, the coroner of the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, told the Hiru news team that the relatives of the deceased had refused to identify the body, saying that they would not accept the body if it was not provided for burial.
Police have reported the matter to the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court and the court has ordered that the body to be cremated after being identified by relatives.
The wife and brother of the deceased have even refused to identify the body since it has to be cremated.
As a result, the body has been placed at the morgue since November 30.
However, according to a gazette notification issued by the government on 11/04/2020, these must be cremated within 24 hours.
Following a discussion held at Temple Trees yesterday (28), Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication Chairman, former Minister Basil Rajapaksa stated that Samurdhi Managers and Samurdhi Development Officers will lead the process of directing Samurdhi recipients to livelihoods under the Rural Economic Building Program.
Discussions focused on the future course of action to be taken with regard to the Samurdhi movement as well as the creation of 200,000 self-employment and the opening of 25,000 new markets for rural products
The President and the government stood
firm in protecting the national sovereignty and the rights of the people when
dealing with the MCC issue. Despite the tempter in the form of $480 million
involved in the deal the President and the government were able to compare the
ultimate cost to the nation by analysing the pluses and the minuses.
The main issue which was the subject of the
discussion among the critics of the MCC was that it will pave for a land grab
and destroy the small land holding peasantry of the country. MCC land project was
rightly considered as trap in enticing the small land holders to sell their
lands to pay off their debts to multi-national companies so that the land will
be an efficient factor of production. MCC proposed the removal of the existing
land laws of the country such as 50-acre limit for private land ownership.
Further, the districts coming under the proposed MCC compact were rich in
minerals and the MCC was aiming to open the door for exploitation of these
resources by the foreign companies
MCC was thus considered not as poverty
reduction project but as a program in increasing the poverty levels of Sri
Lankans. The previous Yahapalaya
government had entered into several agreements in relation to the MCC. In October
2018, the negotiations regarding the compact were conducted by the leading
Cabinet members and the AG with the officials of the MCC. The Cabinet of
Ministers gave the approval for final agreement on 29.10 2019,
Sri Lankan people were saved at the last
minute when the President Gotbaya Rajapakse was elected in 2019 and he and the
government resolutely held back the tempter of US $480 million saving the
country of neo-liberal destruction
An Address to His Excellency the President and Hon Prime Minister,
Dr Sudath Gunasekara : Ex Secretary to
Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandarnayaka and President Mahanuwara Sinhala Bauddha
JesTha puravesiyange sanvidhanaya. 27.12 2020
I am making this all-important and serious request to you on behalf of the whole nation as it was reported this morning over the Pattare vistare that the Cabinet has decided to get the views of the Party leaders on this matter before it is resubmitted to the Cabinet.
Besides the Party Leaders, even if the
whole world requests you to hold Provincial Council Elections, I appeal to you
not to go for it at this critical hour of the nation for the following reasons.
Furthermore never think of giving the PCC a new lease of life without first
making a comprehensive in-depth evaluation of a cost-benefit analysis of this
mess from its inception in 1987 to date. Such an investigation is a must to
find out the benefits the Provincial Councils have accrued to the country and
the people, if there is any, and the colossal damages it had already done to
the country as its relevance to this
Island nation had been a highly debatable and a controversial subject.in view
of its place of origin and the proposers hidden objectives in re- shaping the
long term political, economic, geopolitical, geo-strategic, administrative and
socio-cultural landscape of this country including its possible disastrous implications in future on this country and
the Sinhala nation.
Reason 1 why you should not go for
elections for these utterly useless white elephants and death traps even if the
Party leaders support it as they will be the first party to ask for it as leaders
of political parties that oppose the Government to create more problems for the
government.
Firstly to put the Government in to more
trouble and create confusion in the country to enable them to come to power as
soon as possible and
Secondly to appease and bait their
political bandwagon at the Provincial level who are craving and dreaming for
positions in the new Provincial Councils claiming that it was they who wanted
the government to have this election when it was hesitant
Thirdly, and more importantly, this is like
giving a pot of curd to cats”, or putting a tortoise to water”, as the
wonderful Sinhala sayings Dii kirata balallut saakki” and Ibba diyata demmaa
wage” as they waiting to find out some loophole to mobilize their supporters to
capture power at Provincial levels
I can assure you that none of these Party
leaders have any concern for the people or the country as they are only
concerned with coming back to power by hook or crook and to enjoy the luxuries
they have lost temporally. We need not speak about their patriotism, for, as
perhaps you know it better.
I have a feeling that all of them will
support having elections for the simple reason that elections are the bread and
butter for desperate politicians when they are not in power to wash all their
dirty linen against the Government in power.
On the other hand by any chance if they say
no and if you listened to them and stop
elections to PCC then they will claim credit for their rather bold and Patriotic
stand” to safeguard the interests of the
masses. A message they will carry forward for the next election
In
this backdrop I request you not to go by their verdict, whatever they say as I
am confident that you have the power and the brain too to take the correct
decision. The correct decision the 7 million voters who voted you in to power twice within 9 months wanted you
to take is to scrap the PCC
Obviously with Presidential Executive powers
restored under the 20th A and the 70% public endorsement given to you with 2/3
in the Parliament I am of the view that you have the full authority to make the
bold and historic decision not to have PC Elections at this juncture, as you
did in 2009 against the LTTE in spite of serious objections made by the Western
powers. This is a golden opportunity to prove your metal once again as
undisputed national leaders of the nation without allowing others to get the
credit.
Reason 2
Protest by Mahaa Sangha and 7 million who voted this government in to
power
More importantly
All the 70 lakhs Sinhala voters who voted
you both at the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections (2019 and 2020) lead
by the Mahasangha, (except a very few, of course negligible by way of numbers
at elections but who want it, for their own benefits as Governors, Ministers,
PC MPP to be and in many other places within
the PCC system to enjoy the luxuries that go to fall on their heads from
heaven for doing nothing in return) are strongly against the Provincial
Councils. They all vehemently oppose it and want the PCC to be scrapped and
they have already threatened to get on to the streets as you yourself did in 1987 where three
patriotic people had to sacrifice their lives
on behalf of you and the country.
Reason 3
Extremely prohibitive cost, problem of procurement of funds and
repayment
Firstly, the extremely prohibitive cost of
such an Election at a time like this when the country needs billions and
billions for the current Covid 19 expenses with a pending third wave on the way
where the financial commitments are unpredictable.
This is not the time to go for another
useless Election after two National Elections just concluded at exorbitant cost
with a staggering figure around Rs 30 billion
A PC election at this moment will cost more
and it will be at least double the amount needed for one election, or at least
RS 25 billion the minimum in view of the prevailing Covid 19 disaster. With the
threat of a third wave on the way it could be even more.
From where are you going to get this money?
Borrow from whom? And how are you going
to repay it when we are already struggling on the rim
Reason 4 PCC for whose benefit and what
gain to the country?
What is the benefit the PCC have brought in
for the country or the general public for the past 33 years other than the
wastage of billions of public funds and disrupting and confusing the District
Administration affecting the governance in the whole country.
Reason 5 Putting the people from the
frying pan to the hearth”
As PCC have completely disrupted and killed
the once efficient district Administration under GAA and made delivery of
services confusing and inefficient due to overlapping, confusion and conflict
between the District administration and Provincial Administration
Reason 6
Paving the way for complete disintegration
of the eksesath Sinhala Buddhist State that had been protected and defended by
our ancestors for the past 2600 years and destroying the Sinhala Buddhist State
by dividing the country in to 9 independent Governing units with some of them
mono Tamil and some mono Muslim, finally
heading to mark the end of Sinhala Buddhist civilization in this country.
Life is a simple game of three moments; one which belonged to us; one which we own now and the one which is expected to be ours; the past, the present, and the future. Successful are those who keep looking back at their yesterday and intelligent are those who are always conscious of their tomorrow but the luckiest ones are those who try to make their present everlasting provided that their presence is something to be proud of: we the Pakistanis are surely among those luckiest ones. For the last many years this prediction is selling hot that Pakistan is going to be no more on the world map in the near future. But every year Pakistan is always there, giving a tough time to all those who are dreaming of Pakistan changing into a wasteland. Pakistan has become the center of all concentration in a very short period of time. This matchless importance is simply because of the fact that the world around us has accepted the reality that Pakistanis have an exemplary ability of sailing in troubled waters.
It is a daylight fact that Pakistanis can achieve any target if they are determined. Moreover, they have a talent for helping out and support all those who are being crushed and trampled by the powerful ones. From the Indian Occupied Kashmir to Palestine and to the East-Punjab, Pakistan is everywhere admired and loved by the crushed ones and looked at like a savior. It is the height of this admiration that for the last many weeks, different cities of India are resounding with slogans in favour of Pakistan. According to Indian media reports, the protesting farmers are raising pro-Pakistan slogans during their protest-processions. Recently a video clip has also gone viral in which a man is apparently seen raising the pro-Pakistani slogan ‘Pakistan Zindabad (Live Long Pakistan). Commenting on this strange development, the Jagran News Desk said, Amid farmers, Delhi Chalo March, Punjab’s Lok Insaaf Party MLA Simarjit Singh Bains is also seen in the clip when a man allegedly raised pro-Pakistani slogans.” Some analyst are of the opinion that this video clip could be a ploy to derail the farm protests and make it look like a Pakistani agenda to create unrest in the country on one hand and on the other hand it could be a conspiracy of getting an opportunity of defaming and blaming Pakistan.
The farmers in India are protesting against the three farm laws approved by the Modi government earlier this year. These laws are — The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement of Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, and The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act. These laws were first introduced in the month of last June as the three Ordinances and later on were approved by Parliament in September. The protesters say that the new laws will make them vulnerable to private traders whereas the government says that the farm laws would open up new avenues for the farmers to increase their income. The leaders of the protesting farmers are of the opinion that by approving these laws the government has simply shifted all responsibility of the agriculture sector to the hands of the private investors. These investors would exploit the helpless farmers and would try to earn more and more by depriving the farmers of their basic legal and moral rights. Now the government and the farmers are in a state of war with each other, and neither of them is willing to step down. The protesters are now in an effort of reaching and blocking the whole system of the national capital Delhi but for the Modi ‘sarkar’ this advancement of the protesters is nothing to be worried about; it is worried only about the raised slogans in favor of Pakistan and Khalistan. Whether the clamor of the slogans in favour of Pakistan is a conspiracy of the opposition parties or the hidden sympathy and inclination of the protesting farmers towards Pakistan; the most interesting fact is that these slogans have introduced Pakistan as a towering lighthouse of care and support. Today all over the world wherever there is a reference to the protest of farmers in India; the reference to the slogan of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ also moves along.
That was mid-1999, I still remember the evening, when I was introducing myself to a pretty German girl in Australia; I am from Pakistan and she asked me in a surprisingly strange way where Pakistan is. I, again, wish to meet the same girl; I am sure now I won’t have to tell her where Pakistan is; because it is all changed now. We have defeated a whole generation of foreign supported terrorists; we have very successfully countered the interference of hostile intelligence agencies in our country; we have crushed Indian dreams in Afghanistan; we have overcome a lot of our economic problems, and above all, we have overpowered the horrible pandemic of Covid-19 by controlling the number of deaths. Today the name of Pakistan is being referred to as an example in every discussion on the Corona disaster. Thanks a lot to Mr.Modi for making the Indian farmers realize that from the Indian Occupied Kashmir to the trampled Sikh community and to the helpless farmers of India, Pakistan is always a ray of hope for all those passing through some trial and tribulation.
Russian Ambassador in Colombo Yury Materiy has warned that extremist Islamic terrorist organizations may channel funds to their Lankan counterparts on the pretext of extending COVID-19 aid.
The warning was issued by Ambassador Materiy when he met Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara at his ministry last week, the ministry sources said yesterday.
Sources said that Ambassador Materiy had told Minister Weerasekera that many extremist groups were moving funds for terror activities and had carried out such operations via the trade and trafficking of narcotics under the cover of humanitarian assistance for Muslim organisations and charities.
In response the Minister said that after the war a new strategy had been formulated by the then Sri Lankan government to increase the intelligence battalions from 3-7 and deported nearly 160 madrasa scholar leaders who under the guise of religious studies were spreading hate and extremist propaganda.
Unfortunately, the yahapalana government had dismantled the intelligence network. The new government had taken action to remedy the situation, he added.
The Ambassador lso inquired into the progress in investigations on Easter Sunday bomb attacks of 2019, and Minister Weerasekara responded stating that 267 suspects had been remanded after the 8 blasts and currently all criminal investigations had been completed and handed over to the Attorney general’s Department for further action.
The Russian Home Ministry continued to work closely with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ambassador said, adding that Russia was now a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Minister Weerasekara congratulated both President Vladimir Putin the President and the ambassador on Ruassia’s appointment.
In relation to the resolutions to be passed on Sri Lanka Minister Weerasekera reminded the Ambassador how the previous Secretary General of the United Nations violated the United Nations Charter by making unsubstantiated comments in regards to the Sri Lankan humanitarian operation at the closing stages of the Civil war. The Minister reminded the Ambassador that part of the resolution of 30/1 stated that a deliberate attempt had been taken by the Sri Lankan government to prevent much needed food and essential supplies from reaching the war affected.
The Minister went on to clearly and evidentially dismiss that claim.
Three more deaths have brought Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll to 194, the Director-General of Health Services confirmed.
Two males and a female have succumbed to the virus in this manner, according to a report by the Government Information Department.
A 90-year-old man from Dharga Town has died upon admittance to the Kalutara District Hospital on December 24. The cause of death has been determined as COVID-19 related blood poisoning and a cardiac arrest caused by high blood pressure.
An 83-year-old man residing in Theldeniya had been transferred to the Theldeniya Base Hospital from the Kandy Hospital, where he had died from COVID-19 pneumonia and severe kidney disease. His death has occurred today (December 28).
A 57-year-old female resident of Kalutara South has passed away on December 22 from blood poisoning caused by the COVID-19 infection. She had died upon admittance to the Kalutara District Hospital.
Sri Lanka Police says that 05 persons tested positive for Covid-19 during the random Rapid Antigen tests carried out within yesterday (27) on individuals leaving the Western Province.
Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that thus far a total of 54 persons infected with the virus have been identified during these random Rapid Antigen tests and that 280 of their close contacts have also been directed to quarantine.
He said that random Rapid Antigen tests, which were commenced on December 18 at several locations to test people leaving the province, will continue to be carried out.
The spokesman said that so far around 8,600 persons have been subjected to the tests and that some 1,100 were tested within yesterday alone.
The Epidemiology Unit says that the report of the expert committee appointed to re-examine the final rites of COVID-19 victims will be submitted to the Health Secretary in the near future.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said that the relevant committee will submit its report after considering the scientific facts as to whether there is a possibility to bury the bodies of COVID-19 victims in addition to cremation.
However, under the current quarantine law, all bodies of COVID-19 victims will be cremated, he added.
Meanwhile, the Chief Incumbent of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Dr. Bellanwila Dhammaratana Thero says that such decisions should be taken considering scientific facts.
A group of Buddhist monks have launched a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat stating that COVID-19 infected bodies should not be buried.
Joining the protest, Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thero said, It is wrong to protest against the cremation of COVID-19 victims when even the Supreme Court has rejected the petitions. Do not do that.”
Sri Lanka is reopening its airspace for commercial flights as the island nation looks to once again kick start the tourism industry which was on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Accordingly a commercial flight carrying 185 passengers from Ukraine is expected to reach the Mattala Airport at around 1.30 p.m. today, marking the first flight to arrive under the pilot project aiming to bring back foreign tourists to Sri Lanka.
Deputy Chairman of Airport and Aviation Sri Lanka Ltd, Rajiv Sooriyarachchi said that after this group of tourists reach the airport they will undergo all quarantine procedures and the airport staff is making the necessary arraignments.
This will be the first batch of foreign tourists to arrive in the island following the reopening of airports which were closed for commercial flights since March this year due to the COvid-19 pandemic.
Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) had announced earlier that it will resume international flights operations from December 26, eight months after they were closed in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, a decision was taken to postpone the resumption of flights in the wake of the new coronavirus strain, which is spreading fast in the UK.
Due to the postponement, a flight carrying Russian tourists which was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Sunday had been cancelled.
However, the flight with a group of tourists from Ukraine will arrive on Monday as scheduled.
Several countries across the world have already closed their land and sea borders and suspended commercial flights over fears about the new coronavirus strain.
Sri Lanka is an island nation which makes its ports and airports – the entry & exit points to the Nation strategically important and necessitates elected governments to place this significance above all else. The importance of Colombo Port is both strategic and commercial, this further strengthens the need for any government to weigh the risks and odds when sourcing for foreign investors. Colombo Port is ranked 23rdglobally and located in one of the world’s best routes for shipping. What Sri Lanka’s leaders need to ponder is whether India & Japan are entering as investors to make Colombo Port commercially successful or to use Port as a political watch post?
Geopolitical significance of Colombo Port
Sri Lanka must come to terms with the scope and scale of foreign interference & interventions in Sri Lanka. These have been involved & associated with political parties, politicians, rebel movements (JVP), terror movements (LTTE), media outlets, social organizations and we see an increase in faith-based organizations.
We also witnessed their ability to even fund and influence local elections & set about regime change. This was part of the US Pivot to Asia, the QUAD strategy with India now a key partner in the Indo-US Pacific Strategy. Thus, the theatre of geopolitics has changed with India being part of Western geopolitical strategy in Asia. A key component of this strategy uses India to forge a bloc of Asian nations to contain and challenge China’s rise. The MCC-ACSA-SOFA triangular package to Sri Lanka was part of US & its allies gameplan. The frequent naval training programs, calling to Port of US & Indian ships to Trinco showcases the development of this objective. It is natural therefore, to wonder if the overall plan is to turn Colombo Port into a base for the two QUAD partners (India & Japan) under the camouflage of developing it.
We must also note that the Indian presence may primarily be to function as a ‘watching post’ for the Chinese built Colombo Port City.
Colombo Port must develop
Yes, Colombo Port must develop
Yes, Colombo Port must take advantage of its strategic positioning
Yes, Colombo Port must market itself as best option for shipping lines
But, what ails all these noble objectives is funding but worse is the political tug-of-war that comes to play partnered by corruptions putting national interests at risk.
If Sri Lanka’s political leaders realized the importance of Sri Lanka’s strategic positioning, they would have first developed its ports to generate revenue for Sri Lanka’s other developments as these revenues come from foreign currency.
The country has always lacked proper national planning coupled with savvy economic options instead of simply resorting to carrying a begging bowl for loans and accumulating the loan by simply paying the interest.
This argument is presently being used to psychologically mesmerize the general public into accepting the new deal as not taking a loan but attracting foreign investment.
A loan is paid back but a FDI means the parties making investments are not doing any charity. They expect returns and they will remain in Sri Lanka until they get their returns.
If India and Japan are making investments in the ECT – how much are they putting, what is the investment for, what do their investment not cover, how much cost will Sri Lanka have to bear, against the revenues how much will go to India & Japan and what is the eventual profit left for Sri Lanka? Is it worth in the end?
Will this mean India & Japan who are putting an investment in Sri Lanka’s main Port be occupying the Port for some 40 or more years?This is a period that we may all not live to even see India & Japan leaving after feeling satisfied they have got their investment back!
Sri Lanka must remember, India & Japan as investors are not going to be putting any small amount. If there are kickbacks involved to palm the hands of many Sri Lankans, they will also want to recover this amount and will remain in Sri Lanka until they do so.
So ECT is nothing but another Hambantota Port– which was given for 99 year written lease. For both deals – the land ownership remains with Sri Lanka.
But what is the viability for Sri Lanka commercially? We are all unsure about the provisions in the ECT MOC agreement because what is disclosed is never what ends up being signed!
Will Sri Lanka’s ECT terminal really be commercially viable simply with 51% of profits for the next 40 to 50 years? This is the question that everyone must think of and provide answers.
Have other factors also been taken into account. We are told of a Terminal Operating Company, with India handling the operations. Does this mean, India will bring Indian labor. Will manipulative Sri Lankan advisors put forward the argument that Sri Lanka’s Trade Unions can be silenced by bringing Indians as alternate option. What if Indian workers refuse to work too and Indian Port Operator refuses to solve the problem? What will Sri Lanka do or be able to do in such a scenario?
We cannot forget how India closed all of its borders to Nepal denying food, medicines and energy supply simply because Nepal refused to include what India wanted into Nepal’s new constitution.
We cannot also forget the infamous parippu drop in 1987 or the manner India whisked Prabakaran to India in a helicopter & threatened to strike Sri Lanka if Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces tried to stop India. The Indo-Lanka Accord was virtually signed under duress. There are enough of examples we can provide as to showcase how India has been historically a bully of Sri Lanka far more than even the US.
So when India wishes to be an investor in Sri Lanka’s main port, no one can blame Sri Lankans for being apprehensive.
The people’s apprehensions are further highlighted by the manner Adani Group has steamrolled itself to become the selected party without any tender process. The Adani name was never featured when the MoC was signed by Yahapalana in May 2019. What makes people cautious about Adani Group is its corruption and mismanagement charges in both Australia & India with even Indian farmers publicly protesting against Adani. Australia even has a Stop Adani Movement’. Therefore, the Sri Lankan public has every right to make public their concerns to the Government and the Government must not ignore these valid points.
Under the Yahapalana MoC, India was to construct the ECT and Japan was to provide a $500m loan through 40 years. So what is Japan’s role in the 2020 MoC loan giver or investor – apparently Japan is now an investor.
So if both India & Japan are investors, how will the equipment be bought, will this be set off against the initial investment – how much is it likely to be? Have all these areas been discussed and finalized?
Whether loan or investment, India & Japan will be in Colombo Port for 40 or more years!
The contradictory statements by Sri Lanka’s Government, politicians and even Port officials makes matters worse. In the eyes of the People, Sri Lanka’s politicians have been gifting Sri Lanka’s national assets and resources as if they were their personal property and they do not wish to have the remaining resources and assets siphoned off.
This is one reason why there are calls to have local investors assist to develop Colombo Port. While Colombo Port’s South Terminal is handled by China with only 15% stake for SLPA, the SAGT is also with a conglomerate of foreign companies using JKH as its local front. The ECT regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most important terminals if in Indian hands spells serious future scenarios for Sri Lanka.
Who will market Colombo Port?
If all warnings are ignored & India is given ECT with provision to operate the port what if Adani does not market Colombo Port ECT – it’s like spending millions to build a hotel and waiting for tourists to arrive without marketing the hotel!
Both operations and marketing must go hand in hand.
For lack of proper marketing Colombo Port is suffering and no amount of money spent for developing the port will be worth its value unless the Port is marketed to the world’s shipping lines. Without a doubt, a developed Colombo Port will threaten Singapore & Chennai Port and this is one key reason why indirect attempts prevail to delay Colombo Ports development. Ironically, Adani is building state of the art Ports in South India with aim to divert ships to India – so the question is – will India & Adani wish to develop Colombo Port simultaneously?
In the midst of all this it must also be remembered that the Colombo Port expansion proposal by SLPA in 2005 with development of ECT started in 2011 was set to be completed & operational in 2016. Over 430metres of the 1200metre long ECT terminal was completed via a loan obtained from ADB & BOC incurring $80m. By 2015 regime change, the Port’s financial situation was never highlighted. Then came yahaplana Ports Minister who cancelled an international order for equipment to ECT resulting in massive undisclosed penalty and completely wrecking the development progress of the ECT.
Unprofessional’s taking decisions and professionals acting unprofessionally has become a curse to Sri Lanka & its development & protecting Sri Lanka’s national assets and resources.
A historical victory took place in November 2019, President Gotabaya Rajapakse tabling his vision in Parliament on 3 January 2020 titled Saubhaghya Dakkma – TheVisions of Prosperity and Splendour” gave the assurance that we will never allow other countries to take over our economically significant geographic regions or physical resources”.
The people naturally expects the Government to commit to this assurance.
A commercially viable Colombo Port should not fall into foreign hands for their geopolitical objectives.
All this reported data was based on either hospital or sometimes from quarantine centers. So, lesser is the number of testing carried out lesser is the diagnosis of COVID, therefore the reported death rates are so low. In fact, until end of October, Sri Lanka for example, did not carry out COVID-19 testing in the elderly, most of the elderly dying or people who died in, especially in the peripheral hospital. So none of them were included in those statistic. Fortunately, that has changed that attitude from end of October, and therefore you can see that the rate has gone up quite a bit since then. And the second most important thing for low rates are due to the exposure to sunlight, which is 300 plus days, sunshine is available in tropical countries, and whether people like it or not, they get some exposure to sunlight, thereby developing some vitamin D, which enough to just manage to prevent complication and deaths.
Minister of Water Supply Vasudeva Nanayakkara says a report on two locations having deep water table was submitted to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.
The minister has attended a discussion which was held by the prime minister with the Muslim parliamentarians and was assigned to locate areas with a deep water table.
So, I asked out geologist to look for areas with a deep water table. He highlighted via a report two locations which do not have groundwater, even at a depth of 30 feet.”
Accordingly, the area of Marichchikattu in Mannar and Eragama in Eastern Province have been identified as locations with deep water table.
The relevant report can be taken into consideration by the medical officers in making the decision on whether burials would be permitted in disposal of Covid-19 victims, Minister Nanayakkara said further.
In the meantime, experts have pointed out that cremation of Covid-19 victims continues to be the best form of disposing of the remains.
Senior Lecturer (Forensic Medicine) of University of Ruhuna Dr U.C.P. Perera stressed that the correct course of action is to remove the virus from the corpse and to prevent further infection as this is a virus situation.
The best way to do is via cremation,” he said adding that actions which go beyond this can be considered in certain occasions, however, there is no certification from any country regarding that.
The PCR tests that were conducted on the bodies placed in refrigerators also proved that they had the virus, he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Ecological Agriculture Prof Priyantha Yapa of University of Ruhuna said, The issue is, how long the virus will exist once it is mixed with the soil.”
The world is yet to find an answer to this problem, he added.
We are one hundred per cent sure that the virus can be destroyed via cremation.”
Sri Lanka has recorded four new Covid-19 related deaths, the Director-General of Health Services confirmed a short while ago.
Following the new development, the country’s death toll from the virus has escalated to 191, the Government Information Department said.
One of the victims was identified as a 66-year-old man from Pitakotte area. He was moved to the Homagama Base Hospital from Colombo National Hospital after testing positive for the virus. He died on December 26 due to Covid-19 pneumonia.
A 75-year-old woman, who was residing in Ragama, died on December 26 at the Mulleriyawa Base Hospital, after being transferred from the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragama. The cause of death was associated with Covid-19 pneumonia and infection in the brain.
Another woman, who was of the age 78, has also died of Covid-19 pneumonia. She was transferred from the Colombo North Teaching Hospital in Ragama to Mulleriyawa Base Hospital where she passed away on December 25. This victim was identified as a resident of Kadawatha area.
In the meantime, a 52-year-old woman from Vavuniya also fell victim to the virus on December 26. She had been moved to the Teaching Hospital in Anuradhapura from Vavuniya District Hospital. The cause of death was recorded as a heart attack triggered by Covid-19 pneumonia.
Covid-19 infections registered in Sri Lanka went past 41,000 as 212 more persons were tested positive today.
The Government Information Department stated that 206 of the newly-identified patients are close contacts of earlier cases linked to the Peliyagoda fish market and the remaining 06 are arrivals from the UAE (01), Qatar (01), Italy (02) and the UK (02).
In addition, 408 linked to the Peliyagoda Cluster and 54 from the Prison Cluster were confirmed as active coronavirus cases earlier this evening. Thereby, 674 infections in total have been identified so far within the day.
As per statistics, the total number of Covid-19 infections confirmed in the country to date now stands at 41,054.
Recoveries from the virus meanwhile climbed to 32,701 earlier today, with 650 more patients returning to health.
However, 8,166 active cases are still under medical care at selected hospitals and treatment centres located across the island.
