19 March, 2024

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Why Such A Long Lockdown At The Airport?

By Kumar David

Prof. Kumar David

In all countries that have got past the worst of the coronavirus crisis and most others airports are open for both arriving and departing passengers. Even India which is still in the grip of the disease airports started opening for internal flights though the country is closed to international travel. To the best of my knowledge airports in the UK, USA, most European countries, Hong Kong, Singapore and most in China did shut down completely though inbound travel from certain countries was or still is still prohibited. It seems Sri Lanka with just one international airport is overreacting. There was talk of reopening BIA on 1 August but that has been postponed; nobody quiet knows why. Policy, if you call it that is haphazard. The government did a good job in curbing the Covid-19 crisis though it did overdo curfews and lockdowns and it seems that the same trend is continuing in locking down clubs and the airport. 

One crazy example is the Senior Police Officers Mess and linked restraint near Police Park which is now open only to serving officers but closed to retired senior personnel. And if you peep in from the outside you will see that it is usually empty because, for example, a large bar-room is allowed to accommodate only four persons, a huge dining hall some small number and so on. I am picking on this example to drive home the point that even the cops are not immune to bossy sanitary inspectors who now call themselves PHIs and other sorts of quasi sanitary and medical personnel who have enjoy throwing their weight around. If the US is going to one extreme and very foolishly neglecting caution, Sri Lanka is going to the other side and overdoing it.

This started with the medical association turned authoritarian political party known by the acronym GMOA. It was a stalwart Gota force in November and is now contesting seats under poropaya. Its hopes of consolidating power by getting its past president appointed as Secretary to the Health Ministry floundered when Gota, true to form picked a military man. While I don’t approve of the military usurping political and civilian positions in this one case it was the less bad option. The GMOA I understand was one of the entities that has enjoyed throwing its weight around in semi fascist style and telling other people how to conduct their lives. Between sanitary inspectors and upstart doctors where are we going to end up?

One of reasons why the airport can’t be opened is because the authorities have not got the testing gear and the quarantine facilities if needed to handle the modest traffic that will flow when BIA opens – don’t worry there will be no flood of thousands of tourists, planes are flying less than half full all over the world. 

The authorities are constricted in their thinking in this most unusual and once in a lifetime situation. It is very necessary to be innovative, creative and think outside the box.

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Latest comments

  • 50
    35

    The writer says, …”There was talk of reopening BIA on 1 August but that has been postponed; nobody quiet knows why.”
    =
    It is an absurd accusation. Minister Ranatunga in-charge of the airport had clearly stated to the media that the original plan for an August 1 opening of the airport will now be delayed due to the priority given to bringing in Sri Lankans trapped in overseas locations.
    =
    This shows the aspiring ‘analysts’ need to pay attention to local news rather than engaging in exploring their own rectal passage all the time, to find out how to rise above Phillips and others!

    • 26
      27

      Dear Prof. KD,

      As always I thank you for your articles. If there were dozens of your calibre retired professionals, the nation could improve their general knowledge about the on going politics of our motherland.

      The possessive pronooun ” our” is no longer valid when refering “motherland” because Rajaakshe-madamulana rascals draged the control our the country as if it became their private properties since last Nov 2019.

      That is why even if all the like minded countries and their AIRPORTs are reopened to the people, but bitch s sons led srilanken leadership doest not seem to go for it. Only because if COVID numbers would go up to the manner observed in neigbouring INDIA, they would not be able to hold the election on the 5th August.

      NO matter those who struggle for their survivals in MIDDLE EAST and other destinations of the country – Rajakshes do what they think is right. Dont ask me if that is right or wrong… all these were exaggerated by 2015 and entire world except SWAZILAND, BELARUS and ANGOLA (Mahinda Rajakashe s allies) stood against srilanken leadership which was then compared with that of Zimbabwian Mugabe and the current leader of North korea.

    • 1
      0

      Please watch the video below.
      There you will see, as to why we have to stand again, Rajaakshes.
      :
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJeQyL3cmJY

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxkhCA_9zEo

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii_-i8Tyh00

      if 2/3 would be given to them, BECOMING this land to a SOMALIA is inevitable.

      • 1
        0

        Under current men, cricket legends are hurt by so called CID interogations sessions.
        :
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmWi8tGXzJ4
        .
        People … rise up to send these criminals home forever.

    • 1
      0

      Dear Ahem Ben

      love your forum name. We had a rooster called ahem ben lin because he had fallen into our well and we rescued him. lol

  • 24
    9

    Sorry sad shitty of them all exclusively a Rajapuka creation Lanka is now ever since 16th November 2019 a vessel without a rudder drifting aimlessly without a rudder lost on the high seas.?
    =
    The whole stuffed up nation is at a standstill, no money is available to purchase the much-needed apparatuses to combat the fairy godfathers impeccable gift to the world.
    =
    As the world as a whole is now in a deep sleep better known as a recession there are no available loans readily available and no santhosams to be collected especially by the SLPP rajapuka money greedy hoarders.
    =
    Therefore unless a fairy godmother will graciously apply butter this beleaguered nation will be on Kota Uda wheels for many a moon.?
    =
    Who’s to carry the blame of creating a bastard infant.?
    The nearly 7 million Sinhala modaya’s along with the saffron coloured amude wearing so-called rowdy hypocritical Buddha’s sexually frustrated monks who run on AC-DC [ alternate or direct current ] power and the disgusting hiding behind his Catholic church robes of a completely sordid Cardinal.
    =
    Now, suffer you petty racist buggers suffer and even after the cows decide to come back home you mangy flea-ridden mongrels will be still suffering.

    • 2
      0

      “Who is to carry the blame for creating a bastard infant? “……….

      During a media briefing in Colombo on 8th July. reports http://www.newsfirst.lk. under the heading “Power is centralized in the Government”
      Former Sri Lanka`s Ambassador to Russia expressed the following:
      “What is the game plan of the Government and would be the implications of the game plan succeeding. The game plan is one of hyper centralization of power, of concentration and indeed the monopoly of power. Because what happens if you remove or dismantle the 19th and 13th Amendments? What we have now is something which we never had before. Which is why I caution you that we are thinking of going back to the bad old days of Mahina Rajapakse we had but it is not and a much worse than that, in that we have a change in the structure of Governance already and that sturcture of governance will be turned in a system. Now what is that change. You have a Government in rule by the President and a number of Task forces which do not even include the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. That is the worst possible thing that can happen to the Country and to them as well.

  • 29
    4

    I am not a slave. I have seen the county going to hell years after the years. As I have to live among empty headed slaves of Sri Lankan people.
    I suffer from
    Corrupted politicians plundering the country
    Policemen bending the law to the will of the ruling party
    Judges and lawyers bending the law make hero out of mega dealers
    media outlet blowing their trumpets to elevate politicians profiles
    And thugs hired by politicians to intimidate us
    I can’t see any escape route

  • 19
    22

    The very same writer would have written the very opposite to blame the government if the government did the opposite.

    Soma

    • 12
      11

      Soo Soo sad! That innocent government killed 150,000 Tamils by accidentally bombs falling out of planes, which were bring the Chinese purchases, and Aanduwa didn’t have anybody to count the bodies, so told the world “Zero Casualty”.
      Still, you feel better Somu!

      • 17
        15

        Mallaiyuran,
        “government killed 150,000 Tamils”

        Hyperinflation! Gone up from 40,000 to 150,000.
        ===
        Tamil Diaspora carried out a vicious propaganda campaign all over the world to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka, Sinhalayo and Buddhism bombarding lies to get the sympathy of the International Community so that Demalu can seek asylum. Let me give one such example:

        At a seminar held in an academic Institution in The Netherlands, the Tamil speaker showed a photo of a man hanging from hooks and said this is how the Sri Lankan Army is torturing Tamils. When I checked the photo, I realized that it was a photo of a Tamil devotee hanging from hooks probably at Kataragama. After I revealed the truth the speaker became speechless.

        • 13
          3

          “After I revealed the truth the speaker became speechless.”
          After hearing this Goebbels’ Paravai Kavadi story even I was speechless for the second time (because I heard this from you earlier too). I used the name Paravai Kavadi, because you can come to know the name and use it too nest time so hearers of you will be convinces you really know about Hindu Kavady better than Tamils. So in the photo the tortured man was wearing kodukku? Decorated with Vipoothi & sandle paste all over the body? Kunkum Pottu too? And the decorated torturing hooks and ropes? There was Rapist Army Poosaries standing nearby? You are right Eagle. Anne man what a Modaya that Tamil to frame an absolute idiot story like that. This is worse than the Rapist army framed the 150,000 as Zero Causality story.

          Blind Eagle, have you seen an elephant, ever? Because in my toddler age my mom told me about five blind eagle boys went to see an elephant. I am wondering if you too were one of them. Because, you saw an open space Paravi Kavadi, which is carried by a truck or by many men on shoulders, inside the CID’s 4th floor’s torture Chamber.

          (Don’t worry Eagle, this is only your second attempt; you will surpass Goebbels in time, on story telling)

          • 6
            9

            Mallaiyuran,
            I must say Tamil Diaspora used Goebbels theory very effectively and bombarded lies to mislead the International Community. You too are doing exactly the same. 40,000 itself was a cooked up figure. No evidences at all. You have jacked up that figure to 150,000. We will expose all the lies told by Tamil Diaspora to the International Community so that they will not be able to fool them again.

        • 4
          4

          Eagle Eye
          Let Mallaiyuran find solace in zeros. Please don’t interfere.

          Soma

          • 2
            0

            somass

            “Let Mallaiyuran find solace in zeros.”

            Is it because all your heroes are turned out to be Zeroes?
            Your only solace appears to be the Eagle Brain Dead Blind Eye who will give you more grief. If you want please cry on Mallaiyuran shoulders.

    • 4
      4

      Soma,

      I thought you may have a brain at least the size of a mustard seed :(

      This is where majortiy of srilankens go wrong. They dont care about the facts. If Nepal, India, Vietnam and several others can reopen their Airports why not srilanka ?
      :
      The REASONS Bps to block BIA further, is to MISLEAD you the kinda punnaku eaters- if those stranded in Dubai AND other middle east countries, Italy and Korea would arrive, the govt feels that they bring lot more INFECTED patients. Then the ministry of health would not agree with Election Commission and its decisions to holding elections as scheduled. That is why GotaBAYA, former Petrol shed assistant abuses his powers further to the very same manner as is the case with any tribal leaders in Africa or Latin America.
      :
      Come with the fact SOMA – an another ass kisser of the current govt, then people will listen to you. Else, go back to your cage until bones are provided to you. What happeend to that Pasqual, that had your kind of thoughts to MAKE us laugh until shortly ?

      • 0
        1

        leelagemalli
        You have a logic problem.
        I didn’t say his opinion was wrong.
        What I said was his opinion would have been the opposite if the government did the opposite.

        Soma

      • 0
        0

        Dear Soma,

        Now you may come with your facts. I have no doubt you too got misled by Rajapakhse propaganda and self congradulations of their so called achievements in COVID control.
        :
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-L9j2FQ6q4
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E4BoPQc8aw

        The looted TSUNAMI funds that we transfered to those victims. Now again COVID has become their other issue to loot the very same nation from where they stoped by 2015

  • 10
    7

    The biggest story of the Corona virus happened is not in America or Brazil or Italy……. We know the world’s third super power, Lankawe, beat all others in that too. Korea conducted a successful election after controlling Corona Virus. But Lankawe played many games, mixing all techniques, fooling the world and confusing Modayas, telling all kind of Zero Casualty lies in Corona virus numbers. When corona was spreading rampantly outside, Lankawe was promoting tourism. That time India was in better position but Lankawe closed only the newly open Tamil area Palali Airport, which was serving travels through India. In many countries police was struggling to control the people & stop attacking Chinese wrongly thinking they all were infected, Lankawe allowed Chinese to come and go by visa-lee travel. (I appreciate Lankawe’s open heart invitation.) Lankawe politician were trying to frame Tamil Christians and Tamil Muslims were spreading the Corona in the country, while rapist Navy was saving the whole country. Lankawe wanted to use this chaos situation to push in its election to get 2/3 majority. Climax of government induced Covid-19 is the country’s chief executive led the uncustomary constitutional breakage, i.e. running the government without parliament and spending people money without budget. Now there is a big crowd of Lankaweyans waiting to come in.

    • 0
      0

      Mallaiyuran
      For your info:
      /Tamil Nadu recorded 3,756 positive cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday, bringing the state tally to 1,22,350. Among these, Chennai reported 1,261 positive cases, bringing the city’s total to 72,500.

      As of Wednesday, the number of active Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu is 46,480. Till date, 74,842 males, 47,486 females and 22 transgenders have tested positive for the virus in the state.
      /


      Soma

  • 14
    13

    “The government did a good job in curbing the Covid-19 crisis though it did overdo curfews and lockdowns and it seems that the same trend is continuing in locking down clubs and the airport.”
    —-
    Who the hell is this guy to tell that the Government overdid curfews and lockdowns. If the Government did not do that and the corona became uncontrollable, the same guy might have blamed the Government for not putting curfews and lockdowns.
    Government cannot open the clubs and airport to please KD who is always looking for something to throw mud at the Government. There are experts in Sri Lanka who are capable of advising the Government on the right time to open the clubs and airport. Electrical engineer trying to show off as an expert on COVID-19 pandemic.

  • 10
    1

    wondered why the British and other European countries did not add Sri Lanka to the list of Air Bridge countries?

    • 5
      1

      Dear Rajash,

      Even if GRASS eaters dominated srilanka would believe that GoRa led govt maintained to the COVID crisis comparably better with some nations, Europeans would not buy it easily since they know how GR-MR led govt faied at the begining of the COVID-19 spread. Their national level steps taken were no different to that of Iran and Brazil. remember ? They let the CHINESE tourists in without any tests or quarantining while all those came from Korea, Middle east, Europe, America and other destinations were taken to quarentining. Some bitch s sons of the politicians were never controlled remember ?

      • 4
        1

        Dear leelagemalli
        I agree.
        I wondered why, in the pretext of stopping the spread of Covid19 virus, have curfew from 7 pm or there about to 5 am or what ever . People don’t move around during that time any way?

        The rumour has it that the Navy and army are transporting corpse of COVID-19 victims to the North East for burial/cremation. There is also unsubstantiated rumour that bodies are being buried the sea.

        This is also explains high number of Covid-19 cases in the defence sector

    • 0
      0

      Srilanka is now blacklisted by the Germans, French and Brites since Rajaapkshes are back to power. Getting a visa to come to Europe could become a dream next months. These are facts based on local news being telecasted/broadcasted in this part of the world.
      :
      It will not be easy to change their stances against srilanken politics. I dont think that EU would ever support Rajaakshes and their politics based on premeditated communal violence.
      :
      If EU nations would support Rajaksehs, then they should also support Israelis in their acts.

  • 9
    9

    Kumar David is a retired engineer and teacher. He should not be the one suggesting public health policy.

    [edited out]

    • 12
      5

      Kumar David is a retired engineer and teacher. He should not be the one suggesting public health policy.
      What do you mean by “he shouldn’t be suggesting” ? Can he vote in Lankawe elections and select rep?
      May I know the King’s education, Pavithra’s education & those are appointed in PTF……
      What do Anil Jeyasinge knows about public health? What does he knows about viral infections?

    • 0
      0

      a*****
      Are only registered medical practitioners entitled to do so?
      In our Minister of Health one?

      • 0
        0

        SJ,

        GPs and even specialists woudl not change their mind set until their genes would be suppressed that it .
        :
        I dont live in SL but each time, watching current day issues what I feel it, how can whole lot of lawyers stay as if their voices are remote-controlled in current day injustices ?

        Even Univeristiy dons stay as if their moves are no different to the sloth (lazy animals). in AMAZONA forest – that is what they call, srilanken nature, ho wthey have been brought upto…. they dont react adequately…even if their lovely ones would have been raped and murdered on their eyes … BUDDHGAMA has brainwashed them to take it as it comes…. h ha ha.. funny no ?

      • 0
        0

        I dont think even SRILANKEN Uni professors would stand against injustices within their circles in terms of Plagiarism. If there are please come with the facts. I think it is a common issue to entire developing countries. And even worst in our culture and that of indians.
        I dont think even highly educated uni staff members would react truly respecting the facts regarding containment of COVID in SL. I wondered how that Prof. Someone ( most senior fellow in infectious epidemiology ) reacted in terms of quarantining measures even if WHO made it very clear burials should be allowed repecting the piety related norms for each community. European laws in general would not leave a space any culprit mind sets to mislead easy targets.
        Mask wearing has become a culture today. People themselves act against if anyone would not. In our country instead, if controllers are not their, people would not be alert to the regulations/laws.

  • 5
    4

    Hello a14455,
    It is naive to suggest that Prof David oughtn’t comment on public health policy simply because it is of material interest to every citizen. If you have been reading his wide-ranging commentaries, you would conclude that he has no deficit in intellect.

    • 0
      1

      Anybody can comment. but should we decide the public policy of the whims any random person? I don’t consider much of what KD writes intelligent particularly when its nothing he really knows about.

      The Risk from COVID is pretty real. all the good work that has been done so far can be ruined easily. He is referring to US airports being open. I am sure he realizes the US is run by a nitwit who does not care if all the old people die as long as Wallstreet remains at the current levels.

      The people most at risk are the people of the age group of KD. But instead of being grateful, he is nit-picking giving foolish ideas in public forums.

  • 6
    1

    Evil Eye, you said the same before but now changed your wording to “probably”. In your first attempt you said from the photo you identified the location as Kataragama and the person a Tamil. I am told, now a days many Sinhalese visit Kataragama and some of them even follow the same rituals. When discussing of human loss, , does it matter whether it is 40,000 or 150,000. Do you mean to say, lesser the number makes it very much acceptable to you.

  • 7
    1

    Talking about absurdity. Brazil is number two among worst affected countries and its President from day one has undermined the management there by putting his own people at risk and causing thousands of death.Now he is confirmed to be positive for Covid and while meeting the press in closed doors, he took off his mask to claim “it is nothing but a flu”. He also claimed by miracle Covid will be brought under control. Same with President Trump who still refuses to wear a mask even after 60,000 new cases were detected in a single day. Today Florida has become the next epicenter after Wuhan. He is also forcing the administration to reopen schools, so that he could still minimize his failures for electoral gains. These men were elected by their own people just because “they were frustrated with the conventional electoral system”. Trump,s own niece, a Psychologist with PhD, revealed him as a pathological narcissistic and a liar. Now apply this to our own Lanka.

    • 0
      0

      C
      ” Trump’s own niece, a Psychologist with PhD, revealed him as a pathological narcissistic and a liar. “
      I think that Sri Lanka has still much to catch up on that.

      • 0
        0

        SJ,

        but there are whole lot of foreign degree holders in various specialities within Rajaakshe circles, they would never open their heart against Mahinda Rajaakshe and his criminal acts. Why ?

        Is that lot to do with the submissive nature and buddhgama culture inbuilt in SRILANKEN average ?

  • 8
    2

    Prof. K.D

    “The government did a good job in curbing the Covid-19 crisis………..”

    What about the Funeral of late Thondaman where ALL the Covid-19 Control Measures were contemptuously Disregarded by Tens of Thousands of Mourners,

    Funny part is, so far there is No Report of even a Single Infection. How come? And NO ONE talks about it either!

    • 0
      0

      M
      Luckily for the government Arumugan’s funeral did not lead infection.

      • 0
        0

        The reason possibly is that the Hill Country was virus free.

  • 1
    0

    Two reasons I can think of. One, the Covid numbers are underreported, and the govt. does not want infected Sri Lankans to go abroad, get detected, and bring further restrictions upon SL. (Think of the EU ban.) second, the govt. does not want the workers stranded in the Middle East, starving, dying, to return before the election and reveal their suffering. Airport closure is a good excuse to keep those workers away.

    • 0
      0

      SP
      “…the Covid numbers are underreported”
      What is your evidence?
      There are quite a few who would like this country to be COVID-19 infested simply yo spite the government. but they are disappointed.
      *
      The issue is that the government has performed poorly in handling a situation where risk of infection was extremely low.
      There were bad decisions like letting soldiers do what medical staff should; and taking undue advantage of the offer of cooperation by the opposition parties.
      *
      In this day and age of mass communications, bad publicity about suffering of Sri Lankans abroad will reach us via Internet if not a section of the print media.
      *
      Let us talk of real issues.

      • 0
        0

        Dear SJ,
        Very good morning and wishing you nice week…
        Please check the video below.. that is very authentic.
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E4BoPQc8aw

        Media to be blamed not to have done much in the line of improving the awareness but to support Rajaakshe myths about their so called achievement in COVID control.

  • 0
    0

    No. No. The “up country virus” got scared (Don’t ask of whom) and Ran away to Kandakadu!

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