3 November 2020 12:17 pm
Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi today said she is willing to sacrifice herself to the sea if such an act would stop the COVID-19 in Sri Lanka.
Minister Wanniarachchi made this remark speaking during a debate in Parliament said she and the government would do everything possible to end the pandemic in Sri Lanka.
“Various comments have been made over facebook on the religious observances in which I was engaged in. Those in the opposition have said that I should self-sacrifice and leap into the sea as an offering. I am willing to do it, if such an act will end the pandemic in our country,” she said.
“Even Buddha entrusted the world to the Gods during his time,” she added.
“The government always followed the advice of medical experts when dealing with the pandemic. We followed the advice of medical experts on controlling the first wave of COVID 19 pandemic. We have got into a positive situation when dealing with the second wave. We only carried out 250 PCR tests daily during the first wave but now we are conducting more than 1000 tests per day,” the Minister added.
“The expert committee appointed to look into the conduct of last rites of those who succumb to COVID -19 will meet this month to look into the grievances of Muslims,” she also said in response to Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa and SJB MP Mujibur Rahaman who wanted the government to allow Muslim victims of COVID -19 to be buried.(Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)