President names six to Task Force looking into COVID-19 related safety in military camps

Friday, 1 May 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Task Force appointment in wake of COVID-19 spread among Navy personnel attached to Welisara Navy Camp
Task Force headed by Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetilleke
Will study and provide instructions on measures to be taken by all camps to prevent COVID-19 infection among members of armed forces

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has named six members to the Task Force appointed to study and provide instructions on measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among members of the armed forces and within military camps.

The Task Force was appointed following the spread of COVID-19 among Navy personnel attached to the Welisara Navy Camp, making it the largest COVID-19 cluster in the country. Nearly half of the 507 active COVID-19 patients in the country are Navy personnel linked to the camp.

The Task Force is headed by Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetilleke. The other members are: Admiral (Rtd.) Jayantha Perera; Rear Admiral (Rtd.) Ananda Pieris; Major General (Rtd.) Sumedha Perera; Dr. Bandula Wijesiriwardena; and Dr. Wajira Senaratne.

The Task Force will study and provide instructions on measures to be taken by all camps to prevent COVID-19 infection among members of the armed forces, given that they are directly involved in controlling the spread of COVID-19, and will inspect whether such instructions are being duly implemented.

It will determine whether measures necessary to control the spread of disease in camps with large numbers of infected military personnel, such as the Welisara Navy Camp, are being properly taken, and if family members of personnel infected with COVID-19 have been directed to quarantine centres according to routine policy.

The Task Force will also identify and implement the most productive mechanism to prevent the spread of this disease in society via members of the armed forces, and identify and implement measures to prevent the spread of the disease when armed forces personnel proceed on leave in future.

The Task Force will also look into safety measures to be taken when military personnel are assigned to disease prevention and quarantine operations and ensure their implementation, as well as determine all steps to be taken in general by each camp to safeguard health and ensure their implementation.

Members of the armed forces and public officials have been instructed to provide the Task Force with the necessary assistance and furnish all information needed. Additional Secretary to the President T.T. Upulmalee was named Secretary of the Task Force.

Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundara issued the Gazette notification appointing the Task Force.