Gone beyond clusters: Prof. Tissa Vitarana

A virologist turned government MP Prof. Tissa Vitarana said in Parliament that COVID -19 spread in Sri Lanka was no longer confined to clusters since cases were found from the community.

SLPP National List MP Prof. Tissa Vitarana was speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the budget. He said the disease had now gone beyond clusters.“One has to be accepting that COVID 19 spread is beyond clusters and is now very much in the community. One needs to take this situation into focus and work towards containing the spread,” he said. Prof. Vitarana, who is a virologist by profession before entering politics, said it was unlikely that Sri Lanka would be able to produce a vaccine locally at this point of time. Also, he questioned the possible removal of five members of the Sri Lanka Medical Council.

“I believe that the Health Minister does not have the authority to remove the members,” he said.“Removal of SLMC Member Professor Nalaka Waranasuriya is a matter of concern as he is a capable professional,” he said. (YOHAN PERERA AND AJITH SIRIWARDANA)