AMS takes govt to task for allowing virtual blind entry of tourists into the country

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) yesterday criticised the decision taken by the government to allow foreigners to enter Sri Lanka without being subjected to PCR testing at the airport.

AMS President, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, writing to the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, said that the government had recently established a rapid PCR laboratory at the BIA with a view to attracting more tourists to Sri Lanka. “The whole idea of spending so much money for this facility is to encourage tourist arrivals with the least amount of hassle whilst keeping the country safe and free from possible new deadly variants. For everyone’s surprise and for “reasons best known to originator of the new decision, the government has now issued new guidelines enabling tourist arrival without the on arrival PCR test, purely relying on Vaccine card for 2 dose vaccination and PCR report obtained Within 72 hours prior to the arrival.

“We, as a professional association, strongly feel that this is a dangerous decision as there is no foolproof method of ascertaining the reliability and the authenticity of such reports done outside Sri Lanka which can easily lead to spread of dangerous variants of Covid-19 from BIA. There were many reports of fake vaccination certificates, false PCR reports not only in Sri Lanka but also in the developed countries. In such a scenario there is no scientific rationale for skipping the mandatory PCR testing at BIA, especially a recently purpose built facility available at the airport for PCR testing.

“Further, this will allow dangerous variants to reach our country, totally destroying the hard earned control we have achieved so far with major sacrifices from all the sections of our society.

“Therefore, we humbly appeal to you to revisit this dangerous situation with the participation of relevant experts and take appropriate decisions whilst keeping the safety of our nation as the utmost priority.”