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Covid: Supreme Court denies petitions against regulation on full-vaccination

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Covid: Supreme Court denies petitions against regulation on full-vaccination

The Supreme Court today (30) has denied the petitions filed in objection to the extraordinary gazette notification issued by the Health Ministry barring anyone who is not fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus from entering public places.

The petitions were denied as per a majority decision of the five-member Supreme Court bench.

On January 25, the Health Ministry issued an extraordinary gazette declaring that anyone entering public places should be fully vaccinated against the virus as a mandatory requirement and should be holding proof of vaccination in possession. The gazette stated that full-vaccination stands for the relevant person being administered with the required doses of the anti-Covid vaccine as specified by the Director General of Health Services.

The gazette was declared to be in effect from April 30, 2022.

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Water Board warns fuel shortage may affect water supply

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Water Board warns fuel shortage may affect water supply

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board warned it may not be able to supply water to many areas of the island if it does not receive enough diesel to operate the power generators at its water treatment plants during power outages.

The ongoing fuel shortage has affected many sectors including local businesses and fuel queues are still evident in many parts of the country despite the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CEYPETCO) claim otherwise.

The demand for water has also grown due to the dry weather conditions in the island.

In the backdrop, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has urged the public to use water sparingly.

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US$ 500 million credit for raw materials for local industries

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US$ 500 million credit for raw materials for local industries

Sri Lanka will receive US$ 500 million under the Indian debt facility for the importation of goods including raw materials for local industries, revealed the Industry Ministry.

Accordingly, the goods will be imported to the country expeditiously based on priority, said General (retired) Daya Ratnayake, Secretary to the Industry Ministry.

He added that the shortage of many essential raw materials may be eliminated within the next few weeks.

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All surgeries performed as usual: Director, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital

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All surgeries performed as usual: Director, Peradeniya Teaching Hospital

All surgeries are being performed as usual at the Teaching Hospital of Peradeniya, Hospital Director Dr. Arjuna Thilakaratne said, following days of aggravation upon the news claiming that the routine surgeries were suspended due to a shortage of medicines.

The Health Ministry has informed that all the medicines required for the surgeries would be provided soon, and therefore, the surgeries have been resumed using the available quantities of medicines at the hospital, Dr. Thilakaratne added.

Two days ago, the Director of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital issuing a letter revealed that the performance of all surgeries except essential and emergency surgeries will be suspended due to a shortage of medicines, including anesthetics, leading clients pending surgeries into severe inconvenience and distress.

The Indian External Affairs Minister who was on a two day official to Sri Lanka at the time also raised concerns on the news, asking how India can intervene on addressing the problem.

It was after then has the Health Ministry informed that immediate measures will be taken to supply the necessary medicines.

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Senthil Thondaman elected as Leader of Ceylon Workers Congress

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Senthil Thondaman elected as Leader of Ceylon Workers Congress

Senthil Thondaman has been elected as the new leader of the Ceylon Workers Congress, at the national council meeting held in Kottagala today (30).

Jeevan Thondaman will be continuing to serve as the Secretary General of the Party.

Meanwhile, MP Rameshwaram has been elected as the Party Chairperson.

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Suggestion to lockdown country to solve fuel crisis

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Suggestion to lockdown country to solve fuel crisis

A suggestion has been forwarded to lock down the country for several days as a solution to the ongoing fuel crisis.

The government has been told that the country should be locked down for a few days and be reopened by providing temporary solutions to the crises including the fuel shortage.

In the wake of the fuel crisis, operations at schools, offices and the general public have been severely hampered and the daily power cuts have now exceeded 10 hours worsening the frustration on a whole new level.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) had also suggested that office workers should be working from home today and tomorrow as a solution to the fuel crisis.

The suggestion to lockdown the country, however, has not yet been responded by the government.

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The government’s resignation will not solve the problems of the people – Chamal

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The government’s resignation will not solve the problems of the people – Chamal

The Minister of Irrigation Chamal Rajapaksa states that the people in the queues for fuel, gas and essential food items are strongly blaming the government. The Minister says that he is still able to meet the people by listening to reprimands or going to the village.

The Minister also states that it is with great sadness that people have to wait in queues for days to buy goods.

He further stated that the people should be given the opportunity to purchase essential items without having to wait in queues and that the steps taken by the government in this regard are by no means adequate.

Speaking to the media after a ceremony in Colombo, Chamal Rajapaksa stated that despite pressure from opposition political groups to resign in the face of the current crisis, the government’s resignation will not solve the problems of the people.

Power cuts exceeding 10 hours expected for next week?

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Power cuts exceeding 10 hours expected for next week?

The power cut which lasted for more than 7 hours was extended to 10 hours for the first time today. This is due to the massive fuel crisis facing the country.

The Kelanitissa power plant has been completely idle since yesterday due to lack of fuel and several other power plants have not been able to continue generating electricity.

CEB sources say that if there are not enough stocks of fuel to generate electricity, the power cut will exceed 10 hours from next week.

Even the stocks of fuel required for this week have not yet been released and accordingly the 10-hour power cut is likely to take effect over the next few days.

The issuance of diesel for vehicles has been completely stopped and the supply of fuel to petrol stations has been suspended for two days.

This morning the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation stated that the issuance of diesel has been suspended for two days and that there is no need of queuing for diesel.

Family members of the MPs allowed to visit the Parliament amidst the crisis

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Family members of the MPs allowed to visit the Parliament amidst the crisis

It has been decided to give the family members of the Members of Parliament the opportunity to visit the Parliament from the 1st of next month. This decision has been taken after considering the requests received from a number of new Members of Parliament representing the present Parliament.

Visitors were barred from entering the Parliament complex due to the covid risk.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs of Parliament have instructed the Canteen Division to keep the guest dining room open for the family members of the Members of Parliament who visit Parliament. Visitors to Parliament from tomorrow will also have the opportunity to taste a Parliamentary meal.

It is noteworthy that the guest dining hall is also open to the family members of the Members of Parliament, despite proposals from the Members of Parliament themselves to close the dining hall at a time when the country is facing a crisis.

Only those who have received all three doses of the covid vaccine and have been fully vaccinated are allowed to enter the Parliament complex.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary authorities are focusing on reopening the Guest Gallery and the Public Gallery on both sides of the House. Chief Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando says the galleries will be open to a very limited number of people.

Only the Media Gallery is currently open.

CPC states that it will not be able to issue diesel today and tomorrow

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CPC states that it will not be able to issue diesel today and tomorrow

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation states that it will not be able to issue diesel today and tomorrow (30-31). The chairman of the corporation says that the stocks of diesel owned by the corporation have been exhausted by now.

A consignment of 37,500 tons of diesel was scheduled to be unloaded but the consignment could not be unloaded as scheduled.

However, the release of diesel for essential activities including power generation is going on as usual, he said.

Many fuel stations have run out of diesel and the Petroleum Chairman warns the public not to wait in line.

The issue of diesel has been problematic but the release of petrol is going on as usual, he said.

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