• Government should not waste funds on purchasing new helicopters at a time when a new wave of COVID 19 had hit the nation

 By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the government to get its priorities correct and halt the order placed for the purchase of new helicopters from Russia. 

Speaking during the adjournment debate in Parliament, he said that the government should not waste funds on purchasing new helicopters at a time when a new wave of COVID 19 had hit the nation.   

“We have also heard that the Cabinet had approved a proposal to spend more than Rs 600 million to set up gymnasiums across the nation. This is not the time to implement such a project. We accept that country’s security is important but the country is in need of more ICU beds and other medical equipment,” Mr. Premadasa said.   
“Dengue fever too is  spreading including  COVID- 19, though no one is speaking about it. There are also a number of non -committal diseases in Sri Lanka. The issue is that there are no ICU beds for these patients as more beds are needed for COVID-19 which is spreading rapidly. The solution for this situation is to get more ICU beds. I have already spoken to foreign diplomatic heads in Sri Lanka and will meet more diplomatic heads in the future and request for assistance,” he added.   

Mr.Premadasa also requested the government not to use COVID vaccines which are not recognised by WHO and other bodies.

• We accept that country’s security is important but the country is in need of more ICU beds and other 
• medical equipment