Lack of planning and poor foreign policy by the Government has weakened the national vaccination drive against COVID-19, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella charged yesterday.
Addressing the press at the Opposition Leader’s office, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP alleged that the Government’s prioritisation of economic revival and foreign currency retention last year resulted in lacklustre efforts to secure orders for adequate stocks of COVID-19 vaccines and influenced the re-opening of borders too quickly. He was joined by fellow SJB MP Nalin Bandara at the press conference. “The Government spent time blaming the Opposition when we made recommendations and asked the policymakers to heed expert medical advice. They told us that vaccines were on order. We (Sri Lanka) could have gotten nearly 40% of the necessary vaccines without much trouble from neighbouring India, but they failed to do so. This is an indication of poor foreign policy,” MP Kiriella said.
MP Kiriella argued that the Opposition parties requested the Government to give the COVID-19 crisis their full attention and to delay debating the Port City Bill till later. He argued that priority must be given to saving the lives of those infected and vaccinating as many as possible. He stated that the Opposition parties had requested the postponement of the Port City Bill and the opportunity to make critical amendments to it, aimed at preserving Sri Lankan sovereignty, oversight and control over the area. The Chief Opposition Whip also stressed that a bill that has a significant impact on the sovereignty and future economy of the country needs to be debated broadly and should not be rushed through during a crisis period.
MP Kiriella said it was disheartening to see State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle on national television, seeking public assistance to source medical equipment. He pointed out that MP Fernandopulle had previously said that there was adequate funding for COVID-19-related medical needs. “We have been telling her that we are ready to assist for over a year,” MP Kiriella pointed out.
MP Bandara said that the Government was contradicting itself, with MP Fernandopulle seeking the assistance of the private sector while Minister of Highways MP Johnston Fernando was claiming that the Government has enough funds for COVID-19-related programs.
“If there are enough funds, why don’t they call the Parliament and get funds approved? Why drag their feet? Why rush the Port City Bill when the public is suffering from this deadly virus?” MP Bandara argued.
He urged the Government to seek broad consultation regarding managing the COVID-19 crisis and be more transparent regarding the vaccination program.
(FT)