(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) –Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga says that the government has decided to make Covid vaccination cards compulsory when entering public places from January 01. He says the Ministry of Health is taking further steps in this regard.
Speaking at a meeting of the Gampaha District Covid Committee held at the Gampaha District Secretariat on the Friday, Minister Ranatunga said it is the responsibility of all citizens to obtain the required Covid vaccine at the first opportunity they receive.
So far nearly 16 million people in the country have received the first dose of the vaccine. The number of people who received two doses was nearly 14 million. So far 1,554,292 people in the Gampaha District have been given both doses. The booster vaccine is currently being given in the Gampaha district, but there is not much interest from the public, the health officials pointed out.
The Minister instructed to implement a joint program of the Local Government Institutions, Divisional Secretariats and Medical Officers’ Offices in the Gampaha District to encourage the public to obtain the booster vaccine.
The Minister further instructed the authorities to complete the booster vaccination in the Gampaha District before December 31.
The heads of local government bodies complained to the Minister that audit investigations have been initiated against certain local government bodies regarding the steps taken by the local authorities to provide the necessary resources to the health sector and to provide public services during the Covid period.
The Minister instructed them to submit facts in the relevant inquiry as it was implemented in accordance with a decision taken by the District Covid Committee. The Gampaha Acting District Secretary as well as the Assistant Commissioner of Local Government and the Governor of the Western Province said that there was no problem as it was a decision taken by the District Committee in the current situation.
The doctors pointed out that people are now forgetting the Covid epidemic and are therefore disregarding health guidelines. Responding to this Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that a public awareness program has been launched in this regard as well.
Governor of the Western Province Gampaha Acting District Secretary Pradeep Dasanayake, District Coordinating Committee Chairman Pahan Pradeep Withana, Members of Parliament Kokila Gunawardena and Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa were also present at the discussion.
