• Members of the clergy should be at the top of the list as few monks have already succumbed to the pandemic   

By Yohan Perera  

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who called for the preparation of a priority list to provide COVID-19 vaccines yesterday said the Buddhist monks and other members of the clergy should top the list.  

Mr. Premadasa who made a special statement said members of the clergy should be at the top of the list as few monks have already succumbed to the pandemic.   
“Venerable Baddegama Samitha Thera who was the first monk to be elected  to Parliament in Sri Lanka and few other months including Venerable  Munhene Metharama Thera the Chief incumbent of Seruwila Raja Maha  Vihara, another monk from Anuradhapura and Venerable Talanpitiye  Methananda Thera also from Anuradhapura had succumbed to the COVID-19  Pandemic. Therefore we urge the government to give priority to Buddhist monks and other members of the clergy when it comes to providing the COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.