Minimizing human to human contact has been universally accepted as the key to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We fully appreciate all the measures taken by his Excellency and the government including accelerated vaccination drive and travel restrictions of various levels to curtail the spread of Covid-19 in our country.
However, it is quite disheartening to observe that the current “lockdown” during the worst part of the pandemic has not reached the expected level as observed by us and many other parties, partly due to poor understanding and commitment of the general public. An ineffective lockdown will invariably fail to achieve the expected outcome of reduction of death rates and dangerous overcrowding of hospitals in spite of the associated economic losses.
Therefore, we strongly believe that, far stricter properly effected preventive measures of human to human contacts with full participation and commitment of the general public will be required, if our nation is to gain the maximum benefit till the country achieves the optimal vaccination status.
Unfortunately, our number of daily cases and deaths fall in to the highest bracket in the world. Our health care delivery system is on the verge of collapse due to rising inflow of very sick (oxygen dependant) patients and ever-increasing number of health care workers falling prey to Covid-19.
We are in full agreement with the situation report dated 26th August 2021 compiled by the expert group convened by the WHO who are actively analyzing and comparing our situation with the rest of the world whilst keeping in mind the unique Sri Lankan situation. These experts are of the opinion that the temporary setback of the economy will bounce back soon when the country returns to near normal and it is worthwhile taking all the possible measures in preserving the precious human lives.
On this background, we urge the government to plan the next level of action to achieve the following.
1. Minimise the inflow of patients to ease the burden on our health care system.
2. To plan for achieving long term sustainable benefits to overcome the current economic crisis overlooking short term gains and losses.
3. To pave way to open the country to obtain proper international clearance and acknowledgement from the global community.
Therefore, we urge your Excellency and the government to extend the lockdown in a more effective and stricter manner till the nation achieves the optimal vaccination status in order to –
1. Prevent a significant number of deaths with a comparatively low cost to the economy which will invariably bounce back once the desired control is achieved.
2. To avert a catastrophic health crisis on both Covid and non Covid patients
3. To achieve “Green status” from the global community by the end of the year which will invariably have an overall positive impact on our economy.
Further, we strongly feel that it is very important for HE the president and the government to keep communication channels open with WHO and other relevant experts to obtain required opinion during this difficult period.
We, the Association of Medical Specialists feel that the government should take a serious note of the gravity of the situation to extend and enforce the lockdown in a stricter manner for at least for another three weeks and review the situation thereafter for safe opening.
Thank you
Yours sincerely,
Dr LakKumar Fernando Dr R Gnanasekeram
President-AMS General Secretary-AMS
Lasantha Pethiyagoda / August 27, 2021
The medical specialists don’t seem to understand the mind of a politician (or even a ruthless strategist) in that public welfare is not a priority but a mere pretence. Political expediency dictates that in order for the govt to remain in favour, people need to be seen as having the freedom to earn an income. Other people dying might seem tragic and even shocking, but at the end of the day, our people are merely concerned about their own selves and family rather than people at large. Anarchy was mentioned as an outcome of extended lockdowns; the govt did not want one anyway, but heeded concerted calls from all sides which it could not refuse, so the ones who wanted it must suffer the consequences, is their thinking. Lockdowns are effective only at the beginning when there is a threat to uncontrolled spread, not at the height of a catastrophic disaster. In despotic third world countries, the govt machinery will always attempt to manufacture opinion in its favour by promoting creative statistics and suppression of news that depict reality. Community groups should become aware of these possibilities at every stage.
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chiv / August 28, 2021
Lasantha spot on. There is no better way to express concern than the way you did.
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leelagemalli / August 28, 2021
Leadership failed to manage prices of daily essentials, let alone how can they impose a proper lockdown??????? Pigs might fly☹☹☹☹Current rulers and their capabilities were known to anyone with a bird s brain, however fake public perception brutally misled the nation more as easter sunday disaster killed nearly 300 and injuring several hundreds.☹☹☹ As usual emotional voters betrayed their votes being caught by media mafia and cheewara
kalliya, that took the lead of the election campaign, all these would not have occured if political awareness of the average was healthy. As permanent existence of a garbage dumps continues due to various factors, corrupted nations such as ours get cheated by highly corrupted men like Rajapakshes and the like blood suckers.☹☹☹☹☹☹ Their real criminal nature is not yet clear to the naive majority.. not even Libyans were deceived to the level but ours are caught. Both people and politicians are responsible for the mess..
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Even Marayas dont seem to the job today, may be he or she too be abused by the brutal family.
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The very man , who questioned ” dan saepadha? Are u happy now is hibernation mode today, how can ballige putha see the eyes of the nation today????☹☹☹☹☹☹
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SJ / August 28, 2021
LP
“Lockdowns are effective only at the beginning when there is a threat to uncontrolled spread, not at the height of a catastrophic disaster.”
Very true.
That leaves an effective vaccination programme and some regulation of population movement.
Should not the leaders of medical and health services work as a team to propose a feasible strategy.
The prospect of medical treatment has altogether been sidelined by the WHO.
Should not the public have fuller information on the illness and mortality by way of profiles of age distribution and co-morbidities; implications of age and co-morbidity for relief and recovery.
There is much information on the net from reputed medical experts that are severely blocked out by the media and even social media and Internet.
Should not at least the medical and health professionals debate issues thoroughly and scientifically with an open mind so that sensible options may be developed for the present and future epidemics?
*
There are questions that people have but seldom raise in public.
What we have instead are sentimental conspiracy theories with little scientific data to support even a fairly reasonable argument.
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Nathan / August 28, 2021
Mr. Lasantha Pethiyagoda,
Your kind and well meaning words have never been heeded. Sill you persist.
Acting as a lone warrior doesn’t pay dividends.
There are more like you.
Pool your minds and ideas together. Make an action plan, for your efforts to bear fruit.
As for me, my hands are tied.
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RBH59 / August 28, 2021
Therefore, we strongly believe that, far stricter properly effected preventive measures of human to human contacts.
Full face cover is required mask is to enough The coronavirus can spread through the eyes, just as it does through the Mouth \Or nose. When someone who has coronavirus coughs, sneezes, or talks, virus particles can spray from their mouth or nose onto your face also infected by touching your eyes after touching something that has the virus on it. That why the doctors and nurse wear the full shield.
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rukmal / August 28, 2021
It is still not too late to reorganize the Covid task force and appoint members of the AMS , SLMA and other medical experts in the field of virology and epidemiology to play a key role and head the force.If this is done without delay many lives could be saved and the number of cases could be controlled. Shavendra Silva and Gotabaya Rajapaksha are not medical experts. Their main objective is to achieve their political aspirations and retain their power. They do not care a tuppence for the lives of the people.. This may be the only country in the world where the Covid task force is headed by a military nincompoop.
. I won’t be surprised if GR decides to appoint Gnanakka as a member of the task force in the near future.
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Plato / August 29, 2021
Rukmal.
Gnanakka was made Consultant to the Task Force from day one.
Me thinks that even the Mahanayakes do not enjoy the clout that Gnanakka has with the Head of State.
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Harishchandra / August 28, 2021
Why does not these doctors give an assurance that they are prepared to take responsibility for any after effects of this vaccine? Maybe they know what is happening in Germany and the banning of Moderna in Japan. What is needed now is educating the masses on how to improve ones immune system as the Ayurvedic practitioners say and not some concoction which seems to come with a never ending row of boosters.
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Ajith / August 28, 2021
It is sad that Sri Lanka once praised for control of Corona-Virus at early stages now reached as the worst Corona control country in the world. It is no point in blaming any particular sector or institution or group to blame for the current situation. Every one is responsible and each one from a single person to the government and President has to blame themselves for the failure to control effectively to minimise the impact of Corona to this country. When the President or Government fail to understand that they are are the foremost responsibility you cannot expect others have to take responsibility.
The country had a civil armed war for 30 years which ended in May 2009. There was a great opportunity to bring unity based on the recommendation given by national and international experts and organisations such as LLRC, UNHRC and many other commissions but it was the failure of the political, religious and professionals (experts) to implement those recommendations. Unfortunately, now every one whether it is experts or professionals are afraid to say their opinion without fear. A good example was the issue of burial of Muslim bodies.
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Eagle Eye / August 28, 2021
Ajith,
“The country had a civil armed war for 30 years which ended in May 2009. There was a great opportunity to bring unity based on the recommendation given by national and international experts and organisations such as LLRC, UNHRC and many other commissions but it was the failure of the political, religious and professionals (experts) to implement those recommendations.”
—-
What this has got to do with Covid-19 pandemic?
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Ajith / August 28, 2021
EE,
This has created a brutal dictator who is a well established criminal records. Dictator do not understand the problems of the people or listen to the experts in their field. They only worry about how to make money using the opportunity. At this stage they are in a business of vaccine imports rather than save the people of this nation. Covid -19 now took over 6000 Buddhist Sinhala because of the dictatorship. You may not understand the value of life and value of peace.
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Eagle Eye / August 29, 2021
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Eagle Eye / August 29, 2021
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Eagle Eye / August 28, 2021
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Humble / August 28, 2021
Therefore, we strongly believe that, far stricter properly effected preventive measures of human to human
————————
As usual rich freemasons who dont live pay check to pay check urging the destruction of the working classes.
Naturally these hypocrites are not going to follow the rules themselves.
‘Do as i say and not as i do’
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Humble / August 28, 2021
Gods message through gematria found by mark alan king:
‘i am el and i declare the
vaccines are poison and
they destroy the soul and
therefore all covid 19
vaccines must be
destroyed in the name of
god and love amen’ – 7804 (jewish) 7980 (English) 1330 (Simple)
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a14455 / August 28, 2021
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Buddhist1 / August 28, 2021
Despite two vaccinations people are still getting Covid. This begs the question – are the vaccines effective, are they of proven quality, have they been stored properly? We have read that the Chinese vaccine is effective only for 6 months, in that case, those who were vaccinated getting Covid could be due to Chinese vaccine quality. Its time the Government publishes the type of vaccines taken by those who got Covid after obtaining vaccination.
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SJ / August 28, 2021
B1
Would you know what vaccines Mangala Samaraweera received?
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a14455 / August 28, 2021
Pfizer
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a14455 / August 28, 2021
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Mahila / September 1, 2021
Hi Buddhist 1,
Good Morning.
Quality assurance is undoubtedly by GS Health and being well connected to the apex, there should be no doubts entertained as everyone knows, GSH has been selected as provider due to these high-end close connections. So be reassured as to the quality of the vaccine being supplied and they are used worldwide too.
Administering is another matter altogether. Whether stringent process control is maintained is the question that begs an answer.
If the simple thing as changing priority list could be altered and falsified, what is the assurance that the there is no dilution or swap? Even the quantity administered!
Gods own country riddled with corruption to the hilt!
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Mahila / September 1, 2021
They would not do that as it is not aligned with their Business Model. If that is made known or published, the Deal will be No Deal!
That would be’ Hara-kiri’. Japs Suicide!
People bent on making money for livelihood – not in Sri Lanka but in the US of A – need a swath of it make ends meet by even SL standards. Therefore, Sri Lankans will be stripped bare of their ‘Bottom’ by Operational Kingpins. Not happen.
Early 60’s dealing with the crowds in the GHC Regent Street Casualty ward, was DW injection, where the vagrants of Colombo, get admitted with false stomach ache accompanied by severe gripes. DW was magic – something administered inside your body! Worked well and those HO’s, used effectively and went to sleep peacefully too!
The patients were happy slept well under the bed of another patient discharged in the morning, well after the DW treatment!
We would not know whether the DW is substituted (very hard to discern – both colourless) instead of the Covid vaccine! Corrupt world we live in. 2 impregnations but not desired effect!
2 doses of DW will not stop Covid infection!
Stringent checks and balances are critical, especially when we are 94th corrupt country worldwide.
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