Unity best weapon against COVID-19: PM

• Appeals for public to stop thinking on ethnic or religious lines
• Outlines welfare measures put in place by Govt.
• Acknowledges President had to take decisions despite unfavourable financial situation
• But Govt. committed to providing relief, uninterrupted essential services
• Recalls Opposition failed to support previous effort to amend VoA, hints reconvening P’ment pointless
• Praises healthcare workers, public sector
• Says SL has faced tougher times during war, calls on people to stay home

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday appealed to Sri Lankans to put aside their differences and come together to fight the common enemy of COVID-19 and insisted that even though public finance was “unfavourable”, the Government will continue to support businesses and vulnerable communities.

Addressing the nation, the Prime Minister appealed to the masses not to see the virus and the situation it has created from an ethnic perspective, and to refrain from creating further divisions.

“This is not the time to think on ethnic or religious lines. This is not the time to fulfill the special wants or traditional practices  of a specific ethnicity or religion. We should have only one enemy at this time, and that enemy is known as the coronavirus. Whatever race or religion we belong to, this is the reality we all have to come to terms with,” Rajapaksa said.

The Government has not taken any decision, at any time, on political, ethnic, or religious lines, and all political party leaders have come forward enthusiastically to support the Government in its fight against COVID-19, he insisted.

The Prime Minister said that the Maha Nayaka Theros had requested devotees not to go to temple on the Bak Poya day, which fell yesterday. “This statement was based on their love and concern for the people. We must think of those who are living. This is not the time to fulfil special requirements based on religions or ethnicities. This is a time to think of the country. We must remember that only if we think and act collectively, only then can we get to safety from the grave situation we are in.”

In his speech, the Prime Minister spelt out the various relief measures the Government has put in place to ease the burden on the most vulnerable members of society, whose incomes have completely dried up due to the measures put in place to curb COVID-19. He said moratoriums on repayment of loans, as well as an allowance of Rs. 5000, have been granted to over four million people.

“The President has been forced to give all this relief without getting the approval of Parliament, as he does not have the opportunity of getting Parliamentary sanction to implement these measures. When the Government introduced an amendment to the Vote on Account before Parliament was dissolved, there was no support for the move. Most people ask what point is there in summoning Parliament under these circumstances,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the Government and the people are engaged in a crucial struggle against COVID-19. “The decision on whether we live or die will depend on the way we control this pandemic. Our attention, our commitment, and our discipline will be the decisive factor,” he said, adding that the Government has been unwavering in its efforts to safeguard the people, and has taken prompt measures as soon as they were made aware of the threat of COVID-19.

He detailed the measures the Government has taken such as bringing back all the Sri Lankan students who were studying in Wuhan in China, building multiple quarantine centres, and improving healthcare facilities.

“We also managed to contact, trace, and identify those who had been in contact with those returning from overseas, and ensured they were placed under self-quarantine. The President had to at times obtain the assistance of the intelligence services to track down those who evaded quarantine,” the Prime Minister said.

 “As soon as the first patient with the coronavirus was detected, we took measures to close all schools and universities, so as to safeguard students. We were the first country in the region to set up a task force in this regard. We stopped inbound visitors from entering the country by closing the airport. Our objective all along has been not to inconvenience people, but to fulfil their wishes. We did not impose curfew like this even during the days of the war. This time, we took the advice of specialists in the health sector and imposed the curfew.”

The Prime Minister said the Government is aware that with the imposition of the curfew, hundreds of industries, businesses, and offices have had to close, but despite that, the Government is engaged in the arduous task of managing essential services.

Electricity, water and gas are being provided without shortages, he pointed out.

“The Task Force appointed to oversee the daily activities is operating from Temple Trees under the guidance of the President and myself and is ensuring that food supplies and medicine reach the people. A program is in place to ensure that these activities continue without any stoppages.”

He said there was no necessity to get into debates as the Government carries on with its program to help those affected by COVID-19.

“Even though the country’s financial position is unfavourable, we had to give assistance to one fourth of the country’s population. All the sources of revenue for the State are crippled by now. It is under such trying circumstances that we have had to face this pandemic. But we have not said can’t or we won’t. We will not let go of this battle.”

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to healthcare workers for the selfless way they have come forward to fulfil their duties to the country and the people.

“We have healthcare workers, who, knowing they are at high risk of contracting the disease, continues to come to work, leaving their loved ones behind. Some doctors have said that unless they become COVID-19 positive, they will not leave the hospitals. In some countries, healthcare workers have refused to work, as they have no masks. We must be proud that our healthcare workers, despite having to sew their own masks, have still reported to work. Hospital attendants and ambulance drivers have not left any patient behind. We have Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) who go from house to house even in the face of death threats to fulfil their obligations. You and I live in a country which has such a dedicated healthcare sector.”

The Prime Minister also paid tribute to all officials in the State sector engaged in fulfilling their duties.

He appealed to the people to fulfil their duty to the country and fellow Sri Lankans by supporting the Government’s measures and remaining in their homes. “Our country has faced worse situations in the past. People lived in refugee camps for 20-30 years due to the war. Staying inside your home for the sake of the country is not that difficult. I appeal to the people to make this sacrifice on behalf of this country.”