The Right Reverend Keerthisiri Fernando (Bishop of Kurunagala and The Presiding Bishop of Church of Ceylon) together with Right Reverend Dushantha Rodrigo (Bishop of Colombo) issuing a joint statement on August 24 state that the Christian community should be aware of the alarming covid situation in the country and take all measures to adhere to strict health guidelines. 

In the statement they say, “We note with grave concern the present situation regarding the spread of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka. We are disturbed by the rising number of deaths per day and the alarming increase in the number of new cases reported. The management and control of this virus is now the responsibility of all sections of society. As such, we appeal to all Sri Lankans to unite in our fight against this virus by adhering to the following:

1.Take all health guidelines seriously and adhere to the laid down protocol strictly through self-discipline and responsible conduct.
2. Refrain from engaging in non-essential transactions and limit movements even when there is no lockdown in the country.
3. Submit themselves to the vaccination programme without having reservations unless due to medical reasons.
4. Help each other by offering social and psychological support to our neighbours and those in our communities who may be recovering in their homes and also comforting those who may have lost loved ones. This is not the time to stigmatise the afflicted, but the time to assist those who need our help”. 

We are deeply concerned that school education has now been disrupted for over a year which will have far-reaching implications for the progress of our nation

The statement further adds that the Christian community takes this opportunity to commend the Government for conducting the vaccination programme in an accelerated manner to cover all parts of the country. “We now urge the authorities to take necessary steps to secure a vaccination that can be safely administered to all above the age of 12 years as the next important phase of the vaccination drive. We are deeply concerned that school education has now been disrupted for over a year which will have far-reaching implications for the progress of our nation.

Therefore, it is imperative that we explore all avenues to reopen schools without any further delay. It is also an opportune moment to device innovative mechanisms as alternatives for public examinations recognising the disruption that has already been caused due to the pandemic” the statement adds. 

The statement says that the Christian community hopes that the State will ensure the steady supply of drugs, oxygen and equipment to all parts of the country to avoid any inequity in the supply of necessary medication and care to our people. Priority has to be given to protect the frontline medical staff who are exposed to the virus more than others including the provision of booster vaccinations based on medical practice. Given the extent of the crisis, the costs of drugs and hospitalization and the need to allow for creativity on the part of our medical experts to respond to this crisis, we request that health authorities and medical experts be provided the space and opportunity to explore alternative treatments.

“It is common knowledge that our hospitals are now overcrowded and health services are stretched beyond limits owing to the high number of Covid patients. We offer to the health authorities the facilities of our churches across the country to be used as make-shift hospitals, intermediate medical centres or quarantine centres which can be managed by health officials and supported by our institutions and personnel so that hospitals are reserved for those who really need them,” the statement further states. 

In the statement the two Bishops urge the Media to demonstrate sensitivity in its reporting as they play a vital role in educating the people. 

“Our congregations will continue to engage in prayer upholding our health workers and those engaged in frontline duties and seeking wisdom for those in charge of formulating policies. We pray that the grace of our Lord will carry this nation and the world through this phase of hardship,” the statement concludes.