Summon Parliament to discuss measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus: UNP

• JAICA had donated a machine which is capable of carrying out experiments on new viruses in 1990

By Yohan Perera   

UNP yesterday called for the summoning of Parliament to discuss about the steps that have to be taken to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.    

UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe told a press conference that Parliament should be summoned immediately so that steps that should be taken to prevent the spread of disease could be discussed. “There are certain issues which could be discussed when it comes to the Coronavirus issue and therefore the House should be summoned now without waiting this February 5,” Professor Marasinghe said.   

“Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JAICA) had donated a machine which is capable of carrying out experiments on new viruses in 1990 and this machine is now out of order. Therefore there is no facility to examine blood samples in an emergency. Certain government officers are covering up this situation. They are actually misleading the political leadership,” the MP said. He said this machine was used to carry out experiments on antrax disease in 2001.   

“Doctors who have been in charge of this machine should be responsible for this situation,” he also said. Meanwhile MP Sagala Ratnayake who also participated in the press conference called for the reinstating of those who have been thrown out of government institutions after the presidential election.