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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday assured that the challenge of protecting all Sri Lankan people until the COVID-19 outbreak is eradicated from the world will be met by controlling the risk of spread of the virus from time to time within the country, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said in a statement
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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa |
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The President recalled that with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a responsible Government decisive measures were taken to curb the spread of the virus well before many countries around the world.
“There were numerous challenges. These challenges were conquered one by one with the implementation of comprehensive strategies. At that time, quarantine centres were something unheard of. The concept was introduced by us. Many people today have forgotten this,” the President was quoted as saying in the statement.
President Rajapaksa made these remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday with the members of the Presidential Task Force established to combat COVID-19 in Sri Lanka to review the current situation that had arisen following the emergence of a new cluster of COVID-19 infected persons at Kandakadu and Senapura Rehabilitation Centres.
The Presidential Task Force was established on 26 January comprising of the health sector, including doctors, the military, intelligence units and the Police.
President Rajapaksa recalled the responsible measures taken by the Government ahead of many other countries since the launch of the effort to evacuate the stranded students in Wuhan, China.
The President said that guidance by the Government in decision-making and securing assistance of all the stakeholders was instrumental in overcoming the challenge. In total 16,279 people from 74 countries were brought back to Sri Lanka and following the completion of the quarantine process they were sent back to their homes. The President also recalled the service rendered by the Army and Navy in maintaining 70 quarantine centres.
“Residents of these areas protested when quarantine centres were being established. Protests were staged when there were arrivals from countries such as Italy and South Korea. The Government will ensure the protection of its citizens in the future as well. Obstacles will not compromise the responsibilities of the Government,” President emphasised.
Those who were in close contact with the identified COVID-19 infected at Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre had been directed to the quarantine process. In addition, others who were in contact with the infected indirectly have also been directed to self-isolate. President stated that as the Government was successful in overcoming the crisis before, plans have been set in motion to address the impending issues as well.
President Rajapaksa instructed officials to continue PCR tests in order to minimise the spread of the virus.
The President advised authorities to increase the number of PCR tests in areas such as Rajanganaya, where new cases were identified recently. He also instructed them to update the general public about the pandemic regularly along with the plans devised by the Government to control it.
In parallel to the discussions to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for expanding the rehabilitation programs for drug addicts were also reviewed in depth.
President Rajapaksa emphasised that he holds everyone who stands vigilant and perseveres tirelessly both day and night to curb the COVID-19 outbreak in high esteem.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Secretary to the President P.B Jayasundera, Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath, members of the Presidential Task Force and several medical consultants were present.
