Vaccination Drive highly successful despite Opposition claims – MP Jagath Kumara

On Sep 16, 2021

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Jagath Kumara said that despite the Opposition claims that the country has failed in the vaccination drive, Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the leading countries to have vaccinated over 50 per cent of its population so far.

He said that as of now, 93 per cent of those eligible to receive the vaccine over 30 have been vaccinated. He added that another large consignment of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will arrive this month. “Our leadership and the Government have taken steps to ensure that all citizens receive the vaccines. Therefore, the claims by the Opposition have proved to be worthless,” he added.

He was addressing a media briefing at the SLPP Headquarters in Battaramulla yesterday,

He added that the WHO and health authorities in the country have accepted that the country has significantly reduced COVID cases through the Quarantine Curfew.

“We will vaccinate children on health advice in the future to reopen schools and take this country into a better position. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will present the budget and forward agendas to develop the country. He is now obtaining views from all sectors to compile the budget proposals. This is a very progressive move. We are committed to ensuring a bright future for the citizens,” MP Kumara added. The MP said that UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet had stated that the country is being militarised by bringing in the emergency regulations. “However, almost 104 countries have declared emergency law. It is regretful that she only targets our country. It is as a result of the decisions made by the Sajith-Ranil government that we have to face this much pressure from the UNHRC. But we assure that all our actions are based on protecting the integrity and sovereignty of the country,” he said.

He said that the Prime Minister visited Italy on an invitation by that country. “Certain factions favouring terrorism had attempted to denigrate the PM through their disrespectful behaviour. But they cannot humiliate him. Their behaviour cannot be condoned,” he said.

MP Lalith Ellawala said that the Government is committed to saving the people’s lives amidst the global pandemic. “However, the Opposition leader is calling for an election. The Opposition leader should understood that priority should be given to saving people’s lives at this juncture rather than contesting for elections,” he said.

He requested the Opposition leader to wholeheartedly support the President to eradicate the pandemic from the country.