• SJB wants isolation, contact tracing
• JVP backs two-week lockdown
• TNA urges heeding experts’ call
• SLMA advises mobility restrictions, self-discipline
• Majority of 60-plus deaths unvaccinated: Army Chief

BY Pamodi Waravita In light of the worsening Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka, Opposition parties Samagi Jana Balawegeya (SJB) and National People’s Power (NPP) have called for a nationwide lockdown. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has urged a lockdown if recommended by health authorities, while the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has called for the imposition of travel restrictions. SJB, the main parliamentary Opposition party, yesterday (9) urged the Government to impose a lockdown to curb the rapid spread of the Indian Delta (B.1.617.2) variant of the Covid-19 virus spreading in the country. “If we don’t lock down the country now, the country cannot be saved. At the very least, the authorities must isolate areas where the spread of the virus is high and immediately trace contacts to identify positive patients in the community. What is the Government doing? Last week, they asked pregnant women to report to work, although it was later stopped. We are urging the Government to take proactive measures to lock down the country and to thereby save the impending deaths that will undoubtedly result if not,” said SJB parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake, addressing a press conference. Another parliamentary Opposition party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led NPP too backed the SJB’s call for an immediate lockdown to be imposed, which the NPP called to be placed for a period of two weeks. JVP Politburo Member and former MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, speaking to The Morning, explained that the purpose of the proposed immediate two-week lockdown is to reduce the caseload within hospitals to a manageable level. Addressing the Government’s concerns regarding the impact travel restrictions would have on the ailing economy, Dr. Jayatissa noted that despite previous lockdowns, Sri Lanka had not only experienced three waves of the pandemic, each with increasing intensity, but also seen no visible recovery of the economy. “Wuhan, China shut down after only a single identified case of the Delta variant. Brisbane, Australia did the same after six Delta-variant-positive cases were identified. This is because they understood that with the surge in Delta variant cases, the dependency on oxygen and the death rate would be higher. Hence, if the Government of Sri Lanka is going by the health statistics, it should go for an immediate lockdown,” he said. Also speaking to The Morning, TNA MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam pointed out the need for the Government to heed the advice of health experts. “If the health experts recommend a lockdown, the Government should abide and comply,” he added. Addressing the economic issues that would arise from a lockdown, he noted that owing to the rapid spread of the Delta variant, the economy would be affected nonetheless. Meanwhile, SLMA Vice President VP Dr. Manilka Sumanatilleke also told The Morning yesterday that “some kind of mobility or travel-related restrictions are advisable”. “People should also adhere to the health guidelines and conduct themselves with self-discipline by staying at home, if they have symptoms as everyone has a social responsibility to cut down on travel,” he pointed out. However, speaking to the media yesterday, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said that he does not anticipate a lockdown in the country in the coming few days. Meanwhile, National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head and Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said that everything cannot be achieved with rules and laws. “The public has a huge responsibility at the moment, as everything cannot be done with the imposition and enforcement of rules and laws. There are inter-provincial travel restrictions in place, as such travel is only permitted for the purpose of work and therefore the public must not misuse that,” he said while speaking to the media yesterday. Gen. Silva highlighted that from the 94 deaths reported on 8 August, 71 of them were above the age of 60 years, of which a majority had not received even a single dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Attempts to contact Ministry of Health Deputy Director General of Public Health Services and Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath; State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle; Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella; Cabinet Co-Spokesman Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana; and Gen. Silva to know more about a potential lockdown in the country proved futile.