10 Govt. affiliated political parties urge President

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

The Leaders of ten Govt.  affiliated political parties have appealed to the President in writing about the importance of imposing a three-week lock down in order to avert a major catastrophe  of  the spread of COVID-19.  

The political parties opined that imposition of a three-week lock down would decrease the number of COVID patients to a considerably low level, which could be beneficial to the hospital network.  

They also underlined that the number of COVID fatalities could also be reduced with a lockdown for a period of at least three weeks.  

The Leaders brought to the attention of President the fact that people were gripped in fear when the country remained open and they were hesitant to continue with their economic activities.  

Thus, the leaders were of the view that once the spread  was controlled with a lock down, trust will be regained among the essential segments and  that they would rejoin the country’s economic stream.  

While mentioning that they were aware of  the economic status of the country, they stressed that a three-week lock down would be immensely helpful to bring the economic cycle back on track.  

Besides, the leaders proposed the President to consider the present state as a national disaster, and therefore, call for the implementation of an all-party mechanism.  

They also proposed to establish a committee comprising of health and economic experts to provide advice at the present situation.  

The following leaders representing their respective parties have signed the letter to the President; 

 
Ven. Athuraliya Rathana Thera – Ape Jana Bala Party  
Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara – Democratic Left Front  
Prof. Tissa Vitharana – Lanka Sama Samaja Party  
Minister Wimal Weerawansa – National Freedom Front  
Minister Udaya Gammanpila – Pivithuru Hela Urumaya  
A. L. M. Athaullah – National Congress  
Tiran Alles – Mahajana Eksath Peramuna  
Dr. G. Weerasinghe – Sri Lanka Communist Party  
Asanka Nawaratne – Sri Lanka Mahajana Party  
Gevindu Kumaratunga – Yuthukama National Organization

• The leaders were of the view that once the spread  was controlled with a  lock down, trust will be regained among the essential segments and   that they would rejoin the country’s economic stream