Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
Last Updated : 2023-12-10 17:45:00
Sun, 10 Dec 2023 Today's Paper
16 March 2020 08:34 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the government was fully geared to ensure the protection of the country’s 21.4 million population from coronavirus or COVID-19, today.
He said there was no need for people to panic as the Defence Ministry was working closely with the Health Ministry and other relevant authorities to provide assistance to confront the spread of the coronavirus.
“Defence Ministry together with the Health Ministry has taken all precautionary measures to prevent the spreading of coronavirus in the island under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s directives,” he said.
At a ceremony organised to award scholarships for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers and civilians of the Gajaba Regiment held at the regimental headquarters in Anuradhapura on Friday, he told the media that some issues had triggered when residents protested against setting up of quarantine facilities in their localities.
“We also had to face objections by some air passengers, who arrived from COVID-19 hit countries, when they were asked to undergo 14-days quarantine process,” he said adding that they were impatiently waiting to return to Sri Lanka to join their families.
However, the Defence Secretary said despite objections of those who were arriving from COVID-19 hit countries, it was mandatory for them to undergo quarantine procedures as the safety of the country’s entire population is more vital.
“We are giving them the best possible care and facilities during the quarantine period,” he said. Panic buying and stockpiling of essential items is not required as the Government would do everything possible to curb the spread of COVID-19 to spread throughout the country, Maj.Gen. Gunaratne said
“The military is also tasked to analyse past records, items used, places that the infected people had visited and people whom they had associated,” he said adding that the Army Chief Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva has been appointed to coordinate the entire COVID-19 mitigation process.
Buddhsit Monday, 16 March 2020 10:07 AM
This is not the job of the Defense Secretary but the job of Minister of Health.
vithura Monday, 16 March 2020 04:14 PM
Who knows he might the new govt. spokesman on policy matters, to know it all.
Pissa Monday, 16 March 2020 06:31 PM
You are absolutely correct. Health minister should be a doctor.
rew Monday, 16 March 2020 11:16 AM
Quite right, medical experts need to show the way.
Mike Monday, 16 March 2020 02:38 PM
He can because the decontamination process is with the military and not the local ministry of health.
ranjit Monday, 16 March 2020 03:36 PM
this is not an army operation. This ought ti be done by health officials.
Waco Monday, 16 March 2020 04:58 PM
Capable , efficient, and competent people have been given the Job. Good Decision by the Government.
Warren Raed Monday, 16 March 2020 05:26 PM
All you know is defense. Not treatment for illnesses. Will you please keep quiet for a while and let the medical experts have their say?
R. Anthony Monday, 16 March 2020 08:41 PM
It's a serious Medical Emergency, and Not a WAR.
Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.
Reply To:
Name - Reply Comment
At least one hundred thousand electricity consumers in Sri Lanka have been le
The Online Safety Bill gazetted on September 18 and tabled in Parliament by P
A cartoon of a politician removing the eyes off the common man caught the att
Eleven deaths within 36 hours. That is the alarming rate at which Sri Lanka
5 hours ago - 0 - 780
2 hours ago
