LakKumar Fernando -President – Association of Medical Specialists
We have witnessed the COVID-19 vaccination program taking another dramatic turn today to display thuggery of the Mayor of Moratuwa Urban council.
While saluting the Medical officer of health (MOH) for her courage and forthrightness, we blame law enforcement authorities who failed to exercise their power to protect and defend a high ranking public servant on duty in Moratuwa.
We have come to know about several such ugly acts of politicians in Kurunegala and Galle as well during this vaccine roll out. We have already protested against certain high handed actions of powerful health sector trade union in relation to administration second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine. We condemn such interference by any groups or individuals with political or trade union’s backing.
We as a professional trade union have very clearly predicted the chaotic situation which could arise as a result of authorities losing the grip of the vaccination programme against Covid-19 at this critical juncture. Any rational individual with common sense would know it’s detrimental effect on the success of the whole programme and hence on our economic recovery.
We urge authorities to introduce a clear and strict vaccine roll out plan even at this late stage as this is the final rescue mission to put our programme on track to win the confidence of the general public while successfully beating the pandemic. In the absence of such a firm, organized plan we are bound to fail in achieving our goal.
Further, this kind of adhoc interferences by various groups violating scientific prioritization of vaccination roll out has already caused immense damage to our “vaccination fame” internationally and our ability to purchase needy vaccines in the near future.
Therefore, we would like to warn relevant authorities that this would be the last opportunity to intervene at the highest level to clear this mess to enable our front line workers and the general public to get this important vaccine in a scientifically organized manner.
Dr LakKumar Fernando Dr R Gnanasekeram
President – Association of Medical Specialists General Secretary – AMS
leelagemalli / May 28, 2021
Unfortunately, current leaderhip would not care much about law and order. Nandaseeni does not seem to know the role of a PhI. He does not know the difference between coconut and thal palm. He does seem to know the basics of the basics about even tiny issues.
–
So how can we expect roll out of jabs would be settled focusing on those who belong to the high risk categories?
–
And my million dollar question is, if current GOSL doe snot have funds to purchase loads of vaccine for the nation, how can they order for 140 lacks of SINOPHARM vaccine which is among the most expensive compared all vaccines hitherto approved by WHO ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyN29LmU54U
Gone were days, we had some democratics systems under good governance. THat was rejected by the people and they wanted them to be ruled by high criminals. Record breaking criminals. So those 6.9 millions of voters are speechless.
/
Sinhala_Man / May 28, 2021
LM, as you well know, while I’m stuck in Uva where no vaccines are available to us citizens, my wife is down in the Colombo District. She got the first dose of Astra Zeneca, but there had been scenes of the sort that appear to have occurred in Moratuwa.
.
No, I haven’t seen the video yet, so let me not pretend that I “know” the correspondence to be exact. Sarath Fonseka is talking behind this window [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9VFFfcmHXE]. Yes, the report I have is that “ordinary citizens” who properly went for the vaccine were sent away because the “families (very much extended) of doctors” turned up.
.
Almost dawn
/
leelagemalli / May 28, 2021
My dear SM,
.
They came to make real changes being strengnthened by WIYATH MAGA (incl. that wattiammas Apawithara and Ambewella) but now they have been doing as if they are sitting on their heads with no resistance at all from SO CALLED sinhala buddhists … what happeend to those ABUSIVE monks that took the lead paving their return ?
What happened to BBS head ? What happened to SINHALE movement ? What happened to that ultra patriot aka mastermind of riots on Muslim SRILANKENS in the aftermath of EASTER SUNDAY disaster ?
–
Gota has proved to be another puppet.. going beyond the levels of SORYSENA. If he can allow GMOA murderers to do what they think is right what more can we expect from the kind of stupid leadership ?
/
Sinhala_Man / May 28, 2021
I’m sorry that the earlier comment was left incomplete. There was a power failure.
.
It is true that I stay indoors but I venture out when I hear a certain tune:
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkcvrxj0eLY
.
How many in Lanka recognise that tune? LM, you’re too serious all the time. I have been told that this was written by a German like you, but is this a distortion? For a change tell us bout the guy who wrote this music. It is playing in the background since I’m paying for Youtube every week, and they give me 15 GB; how to use all that? Do you consider me irresponsible?
.
The people in this area think that I’m mad! I took the opportunity and told the one or two people who were on the road when I went out to buy bakery products what a horrible government we have.
.
How to listen to all this stuff?
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pr8IrdM7DkU
.
I thought that that would be live. But that is something old. Must have been good.
/
leelagemalli / May 28, 2021
GMOA behaves as if they should be the ones to issue public statements regarding specialists in community disease control, why is that ? None of these men have specialisation in virology / community/ contagious disease. just because the burgers are POHOTTUWA supporters why should the people be guided by them? ????????☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹in a civilised country the kind of administrative issues are being done by other professionals. These men incl that bitch s son Paddeniya became MBBS holders thanks to the taxpayers but like deadly viruses on the people. 😉😉😉😉😉😉😉
/
leelagemalli / May 28, 2021
Typo, apologies – just because the buggers are POHOTTUWA…..
/
Sinhala_Man / May 29, 2021
Dear LM,
.
Can’t you avoid using words like “buggers” altogether? If you put it in the Google browser you will find yourself exonerated because it is allowed to be a slang word for “fellow” or “guy”; even I use the latter word in writing, although as a teacher of English I ought to avoid it. However, “guy” doesn’t have a more definitive meaning. Try asking the Thesaurus for words.
.
But “bugger” does. Please check it out and avoid it on CT. I know that it occasionally slips out of my mouth when I’m with friends, but, usually, I make an effort to use a more appropriate word.
.
As I’ve made clear time and again, I have taught in a variety of schools. In a village Maha Vidyalaya, I was asked, in all seriousness by a student, “Sir, bugger kiyana watchane kothanada yodanne one?” (for Tamil readers, let me translate: “Sir, where should I use the word ‘bugger?'”.)
.
In “supposedly elite” Colombo schools, those who can’t really use standard English fall back on this. Do you remember the late “rj1952”? Of course, with you it isn’t half as bad; and you compensate with some of the finest content from anyone on this site!
/
leelagemalli / May 30, 2021
SM,
this has lot to do with one of my uncles. He was used to use that term back and forth.
:
I ll avoid using the kind of terms. Sorry for the inconvenience. !
LM
/
Sinhala_Man / May 30, 2021
Dear LM,
.
As usual with you, the response is positive!
.
Many use it appropriately enough in speech. That is it can be used with equals, as your uncle and you used to, no doubt. But it shouldn’t intrude into writing.
.
The problems it causes for the village learner are real.
.
/
leelagemalli / May 31, 2021
Ow my dear Iskolemahathya u are the prototype for real buddistic values, greetings from sunny day from central Europe 😐😐😐😐😐😐😐
/
Sinhala_Man / June 2, 2021
Isn’t IskoleMahaththaya going to be taught about the “choon” in “tunepaan”?
.
And are you never going to explain to us the words in the finale of this?
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkQapdgAa7o
.
Is it true that the guy who wrote it didn’t want to hear it, or couldn’t hear it?
/
a14455 / May 30, 2021
This comment was removed by a moderator because it didn’t abide by our Comment policy.
For more detail see our Comment policy https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/comments-policy-2
/
old codger / May 30, 2021
S.M,
You shouldn’t be such a stickler for ” correct” language. I think you are aware of “Sri Lankan” English, which, like Indian English, uses words which have disappeared in current Standard English. “Bugger” is one of these , like “blackguard” . Indians call a spare tyre a “Stepney” and have relatives called “co-brothers”.
At the moment, British comedians are quite free with f….k, b….ls, s..t, etc. So who are we to follow?
/
Dinuk / May 29, 2021
Time to do an analysis of the Geopolitics in the Great Covid-19 pandemic Hoax and Vaccine Culture and Covid-19 Vaccine COLONIALISM in the Indian Ocean Region.
Follow the money – who is benefiting from the Covid-19 hoax, which stock markets are booming?
Where did mRNA vaccines touted as the future of world health come from at “warped speed”?
The Covid MASK is masking the Trade War and Hybrid War on Asia, including the burning Ships causing environmental catastophe in the Indian Ocean is part of the attack on the rise of Asia as the World’s Economic hub by the US,EU NATO with 800 military bases all over the world attacking and shutting down Globalization and the emerging BRICS economies all in one shot!
/
eeakdavi / May 28, 2021
What is the difference between the GMOA and the Association of Medical Specialists?
Are both open to all persons working in the health-care sector or only to ‘doctors’?
/
Easton Scott / May 28, 2021
Let me hazard a guess here, subject of course to correction by those who know better..
It’s a kind of hierarchy, Kumar; both are comprised of medical “doctors”. The GMOA comprises those with whatever is the first degree/licenciate (MBBS, LMS) but without “specialist” qualifications. The AMS comprises the so-called “specialists”. It’s like the Faculty Clubs of yore, with the “seniors” and “juniors” being segregated by whatever criteria that were sexy at the time.
/
leelagemalli / May 28, 2021
ES,
They talk high but behave like stupid men on an on. GMOA is one of the murderer s ‘ bodies that worked diehard to bring criminals to power. Paddeniya or the like would fit most to clean Rajapakshe toilets, their motives are to focus on their personal issues such as allowances to them, keeping them above in the society. But not covering their working hours as due. We the citizens should be made clear the responsibilities of GMOA men, if they only react like ballage wede buruwa baragannawa waage?????☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹☹
/
Mahila / May 28, 2021
ED,
your reference, “What is the difference between the GMOA and the Association of Medical Specialists?”,
My understanding is that, GMOA (Government Medical Officers Association) is a body of all medical students, graduated as MBBS degree and in the service of the Government health sector after due internship in service.
AMS (Association of Medical Specialists are only public sector Doctors, who have successfully completed a secondary qualification such as MRCP(Member fellow of Royal College of Physician), MRCS, FRCS, FRCS(Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons). Specialising in a specific line of discipline (Physician/Surgeon and also ENT/Orthopaedic/Heart/Neurosurgery etc.).
The AMS members are with Post Graduate Qualifications (PGQ), to which those post graduates move from the GMOA. (As they joined on obtaining the preliminary MBBS after Government Medical College (GMC))
However, this is not compulsory as evidenced by some of those prominent GMOA with PGQ, yet remain in the GMOA by their personal preference. Probably, they perceive to stand out in the milieu of MBBS graduate doctors in the profession than, being amongst higher qualified and experienced and Mature Medical professionals of the AMS with experience.
That’s why, it is called an association of specialists of a specific discipline than the MBBS, which is the basic General Medical Degree to practice medicine by Universities worldwide.
Please correct me, if I am wrong.
/
SJ / May 28, 2021
I guess that that all are doctors, and that the latter is an elite group whom people seek to channel.
*
The caste system is stronger than in Engineering. (Remember the clash in Moratuwa between Engineering & NDT.)
Many in the Medical Faculty in Peradeniya were unhappy about the development of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences.
(Nurses have their own four varna system in the UK.)
Attendants are like Dalits.
/
Sinhala_Man / May 28, 2021
Yes, Kumar, I think that Easton Scott’s response is on the right lines.
.
It has got quite scandalous now, the cheating over the vaccines. Some things were told me “confidentially”. I think that I’ll put them in an email and send them to “Janaps” (I’ve decided to call Dr M.M. Janapriya that). I hope that it’s all right for a village teacher to be as familiar as that.
.
He wrote this in Sinhala. See the comments that I made in English.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/m-m-janapriya-14-may-2021/
.
I find that the most recent Sinhala article is by the editor, Uvindu. Nobody has yet said anything there. This is part of the problem with our country.
.
Am I right in supposing that you’re not much bothered about what you are called because you’re a genuine “Rathu Sahodaraya”, although you recently got mad with “soma” for telling lies about what you had said before the elections?
.
BTW, I’m copying your way of referring to our country: “Lanka” – adding “Sri” is ridiculous. Will the Supreme Court punish us both, though?
/
Simon / May 28, 2021
A few days back MP of NPP Anukarakumara Dissanayake at a news briefing divulged (showing a Booklet) the “Scheme” proposed by the Government under which the COVID Vaccine would be administered. This “Scheme” has been officially submitted to the WHO. This “Scheme” laid down the “PRIORITY” listings of those to receive the vaccine, in terms of which, (1) The Health Care Front Line Workers (2) All those involved in the provision of Assistance Programs to the people (3) Those who are 60 years and above and most vulnerable to various other deceases and so on…
Now we see that “Scheme” has been “Politicized” and those of the “Pohottu” have taken the task of “Prioritizing” the list of recipients according to their choosings. These “UGLY” incidents, as we saw at Moratuwa, Kurunegala, and Galle have become the “NORM”. Our President – Nandasena (aka Diyasena, Nandaseeni) Gotabahya Rajapakse has unleashed these “DOGS” to bark and jump at each and every one of their choosing, including the Medical Staff and Law Enforcement Officials. The WHO must be now “Studying” the “Scheme” sent by the Sri Lanka Government to find in what “Chapter” this politicized scheme is appearing.
/
hanchopancha / May 28, 2021
I am not a fan of Ex-President Donald Trump. However, he did the right thing by pulling US out of the farcical WHO. The Chairman Dr. Tedros is a stooge of China. This Virus should have been named Wuhan Virus the very original name but Dr. Tedros under pressure from Xi Jin Ping named it COVID19. He lost precious time by dragging his feet to name it a Pandemic to let China to wipe out as many clues as possible to pin down the origin of this deadly Pandemic which has already half destroyed the humanity.
/
nimal fernando / May 28, 2021
Why do doctors always put a stethoscope around their necks? Does it give them more gravitas?
–
–
I’m more preoccupied with mundane thangs ……… with or without me, Lanka is spinning out of orbit: it has always been ………. Sinhala-Buddhists living in the faraway safety among the Christians will ensure that ……..
–
Wonder why the Sinhala-Buddhists don’t want to live in the Sinhala-Buddhism they have created?
–
Looks a little strange to me ……..
–
Something wrong somewhere.
/
leelagemalli / May 28, 2021
This is only in slanka and the kind of like minded counties. In Germany, France and Switzerland I haven’t noticed doctor putting that around their neck but the nurses and attendants. Complex I would say to feel above😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😎
/
leelagemalli / May 31, 2021
There is a saying in sinhala vernacular “godayata majic” some behave as if a kattussa wore a gold chain. Look at Rajapakshes and thei6 bayyyas, and look at Ranil or JRJand our old set of politicians those days, and compre it with our fake actor, Mahinda Rajapakshe, that ll fore sure clear ur doubt.😎😎😎😎😎😎😎😌
/
Mahila / May 28, 2021
ED,
Please come to your own conclusion as to which is better or superior/inferior.
Both though are practicing doctors serving the SL community, equally professional.
/
GATAM / May 28, 2021
Rajapaksa government failed miserably to strategize COVID-19 for the advancement of SL’s national interest. Total failure.
/
srikrish / May 28, 2021
GMOA and AMS are trade unions with the main objective of looking after the interest of their members.
Social responsibility is secondary to their main interest if at all there is one..
However, AMS has made a very valuable contribution in the interest of social justice when the situation in the country due to pandemic is worrisome and the response from the authorities is chaotic and the ruling party is playing politics with the life of people.
As rightly pointed out by AMS by this time we ought to have a well laid out plan to address the issues facing the country in an equitable and urgent manner rallying the entire population without any party politics or racial or religious bias to fight against this common enemy.
/
Ajith / May 28, 2021
Rajapaksa government wants to use Corona epidemic to eliminate those who are against to their way. So, they think about how to continue their power for many decades. In order to keep their power they have to go with the demands of their Ministers, MPs, up to Predesiya saba members, military, officers and their families, friends because they needed 18th & 20th amendment and Colombo Port City law. So, the vaccination priority is for them. Public has no power to demand for rule of law because it was them (69 million) and Maha Sangha who wanted a Hitler to oppress Tamils and Muslims.
/
Plato / May 28, 2021
Is the GMOA and the AMS ON A COMMON PLATFORM to address the issues raised in this essay?
The Powerful Health Sector Trade Unions are having it their way, as per the essayist.
The problem is that the Pandemic has been politicized; That is the diagnosis !
/
Raj-UK / May 28, 2021
If the AMS are so righteous, why are they not condoning the high handed action & thuggery of the GMOA openly? Isn’t Padeniya, & his bunch in particular, a disgrace to their profession?
The GOSL had no clue from the outset. Various self appointed pundits & the GMOA were trying to score brownie points but the govt. failed to appoint the right professionals, such as virologists & epidemiologists, to front the campaign. The fact that the govt. even promoted & consented to divine inspiration is an indication of the backward & unscientific approach to the problem. Therefore, to the question of who is responsible, the answer is the President, the buck stops with him. He had no understanding, no control & lacked leadership..
/
Sinhala_Man / May 28, 2021
Dear Raj-UK,
.
Comments on this article are over, but there are certain things there that will interest you:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/time-to-pull-down-politicians-from-their-pedestals/
.
I know that even you are somewhat atypical of the products of our alma mater, but really, some of the things that I have pointed out are shocking, and they do have an effect on the country at large.
.
I despair of persuading Professor Kumar Davidever going there. He suffers from a serious disease: Inverted Snobbery. He seems never to reveal where he learnt English so well!
.
Oh, well! GambadaIskoleMahaththaya has learnt the hard way that homo sapiens are made up of all sorts of individuals. Regard another delightfully loony guy in “nimal fernando”.
/
Ajith / May 31, 2021
Recently we found the Vaccine drama in that Mayor Samanlal Fernando allegedly threatened a female doctor at a vaccination centre and Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Namal Rajapaksa extended his apology to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and said it was an isolated incident. Later yesterday, the same sports minister with a gang of his supporters and Tamil politicians (SLFP and EPDP) visited the vaccine centre advertised that it is they who brought vaccine to Jaffna (they telecasted people thanking the govt and them for bringing vaccine to them) and took selfies within the centre.
The country is suffering from Corona pandemic but Rajapaksas and group enjoying the opportunity to promote their family kingdom.
/
Sinhala_Man / May 29, 2021
PART ONE
.
Dear Drs LakKumar Fernando & R Gnanasekeram,
.
Twenty comments are now on display. Most are happy that you have exposed some of the corruption, but if you were to look at the last comment that has come in, by Raj-UK, you will see that the early praise that you received is being tempered by those who are saying that you have not condemned Padeniya & Co sufficiently.
.
Please study for yourself some of the other articles that have appeared in the last month or so. The serious ones! This for example:
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/stop-politicking-around-covid-19-shut-down-the-country-for-a-month/
.
No fresh comments will be possible there after tomorrow. I placed my closing comment there only an hour ago..
/
Sinhala_Man / May 29, 2021
PART TWO
.
There is corruption everywhere in this country. Perhaps to be born human is to have a proclivity towards dishonesty and cheating. To imagine that there are more than a handful of places where there is no corruption on this island is to be naive and wilfully blind. Please see this article which was active until yesterday, the 28th.
.
https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/time-to-pull-down-politicians-from-their-pedestals/
.
There are honest people, without doubt, but you will see from what appears there that corruption permeates our entire society, and exists even in places where you wouldn’t normally expect it.
.
Panini Edirisinhe of Bandarawela (NIC 48 3111 444V) aka “Sinhala_Man”.
/
Good Sense / May 31, 2021
Generalizing the issue, we talk of an orderly carry out of duties interfered by “political” thugs who assume that they are the elected “Monarchs”. If they saw that the methodology adopted by the public servant requires refinement, then use of blunt thuggery and pouncing at every one is no where near the solution. Contrary to this behavior, I am told that during earlier part of the reign of Her Ceylonese Majesty, the elected representative was a good diplomat using all the charm to convince the public servant a better way of doing things. When the highest in the land expressed disappointment of this incident, the “sporty” nephew intervened to submit an apology on behalf of the miscreant, the purpose of this action seems to be a double-edged sword. It is very important to use technology to prevent the formation of queues, the root cause of all the chaos there can be.
/
a14455 / May 31, 2021
let me think who is responsible. How about you and your buddies who played marbles while we have enough vaccines for 300k people. ?
Waiting for pfizer or what ever ? You have blood on your hands man
/
Simon / May 31, 2021
“The Current Mess” in the administration of the vaccine is in all facets equivalent to the “MESS” in the Governing functions of this “GR’s” Government. Our President is not only a “FAILED Sir” but a real “Idiot” (in my village terminology a POL BURUWA) who has no “Knowledge” and an iota of know-how in making decisions even of day to day functions of general administration. From day one, in all his decision-making and handling of affairs, he has made a mess of things and it has now come to a stage that no one will be able to correct what has gone wrong for decades. From the word “GO” of “20A” to the latest of handling the “Ship Wreck” everything his Government has handled is nothing but a “MESS”. Yesterday, I listened to a Professional by the name of Prf. Chanidima Wijegunawardane stating very clearly and emphatically to “GR”: ” If you cannot do things correctly, without putting this country to a mess, please for Goodness Sake “GO HOME”. That CALL is very appropriate and welcome.
/
Simon / June 1, 2021
A correction: That “CALL” to the President was made by Pro. Ajantha Perera. I listened to both Pro.Chandima Wijegunawardane and Pro. Ajantha Perera. Sorry for the mix-up.
/