RW wants new measures to stem possible rise of COVID-19 cases

Friday, 27 March 2020 17:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

With the COVID-19 virus expected to peak in the country between 4-11 April, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today appealed to the Government to take several measures urgently to ensure that the country is prepared to deal with a rapid increase in the number of infected persons.

In a statement, Wickremesinghe said steps should be taken to come up with a joint plan of action between the State and private sector health facilities to function under the Director General of Health Services as this would widen access to healthcare facilities for the public.

The other measures he proposed were for private hospitals to carry out the tests free of charge and the Government to reimburse the monies, and for collaboration between the State and private sector to import the necessary equipment.

The UNP Leader said he has made a request from the Japanese Embassy in Colombo to consider providing Sri Lanka with some of the medical equipment that was obtained in preparation of the Olympic Games, which were to be held in July-August, and the Government to follow up on this issue with the Japanese government to obtain some of this equipment as the Olympics have been cancelled.

He also called for proper arrangements to ensure that Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen maintain their distance in the high seas as well as to come up with a program so that proper health precautions are in place for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year as well as the Ramadhan festival and Easter Sunday terror attack commemoration activities.

The former Prime Minister also called on the Government to ensure that the distribution of essential items are not confined to big cities but is done all over the country.

He also thanked those in the medical profession, Police, members of the armed forces, and all others for the dedication with which they are working, and asked the Government to ensure they, too, are safeguarded.

"Many countries have promulgated new laws to deal with this situation. We will support any of the Government's actions, if done with good intention, “ he said.