The on-site PCR testing laboratory at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) began operations last Friday (24), and ever since then, many posts have been circulated on social media pointing out a reckless, inefficient and immethodic facility. The Morning spoke to the President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science Dr. Ravi Kumudesh today (27), who provided an inside scoop on the "ulterior motives" the "hierarchy" in place to disrupt the PCR testing facility at BIA. "This is all a plan. This is a healthcare sector mafia that is happening and even the ministers are involved. The department of Health has a committee to make such decisions pertaining to the pandemic control in the country. You must remember, this committee consists of medical professionals who are also part of private laboratories. The private laboratories give these medical professionals a commission for each PCR done which is referred to the lab. Sometimes virologists make up to Rs. 400 per PCR test. Imagine 1000 PCR's referred to by the virologist in one day. That is Rs 400,000 made in one day,” he said. When queried by The Morning as to why there was a disruption at the BIA PCR facility, Kumudesh revealed that there were two laboratories functioning within the same premises. One is a privately owned lab, and the other is the Government lab. Foreigners who arrive in Sri Lanka for tourism purposes were to be tested by the Government laboratory, whereas Sri Lankan nationals were to be tested by the private laboratory. Due to mismanagement by the organising committee, all samples were collected by the private laboratory and thereafter samples were segregated. "The Government laboratory was not prepared for the workload. We have the capacity to test up to 96 samples at one time, and the report to be processed within 3 hours. Whereas, this is not possible as the samples are collected by the private lab and thereafter given to the government lab. The private lab had allocated just one person to collect all samples from passengers. Now imagine the load of passengers arriving into the country, and the samples collected by just one person who then segregates it. It is not practical and the whole objective of this facility is lost," remarked Dr Kumudesh. Dr Kumudesh went on to reveal that the previous ministers were also involved in the PCR commission "scam" which took place and particularly mentioned that Former Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi was one of the few that partook in the said privatisation "scam". “The objective can not be achieved if there are people who are trying to cause chaos and disruption. What we are doing through this PCR facility is helping people. What would have costed over USD 250 for a 2 day hotel stay and PCR, we are resolving within 3 hours and just USD40. Both the so-called experts that make decisions in this field, hotel industry and private entities are trying to block progressive development which will benefit the country as a whole by using the pandemic,” Dr Kumudesh stated. Emphasising clearly that the current Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga are not involved in their predecessors wrong doings, Dr Kumudesh finally concluded that despite attempts by many people to stop this facility, the PCR testing facility at the BIA will not cease and will eventually prove to be a success.