Rosy says Covid jab ‘preferred list’ posts on social media a bid to vilify her

by Suresh Perera

Describing social media reports that she submitted a ‘preferred list’ for the Covid-19 vaccination as a “total fabrication”, Colombo’s Mayor, Rosy Senanayake, said that she has no VIPs for priority treatment for the jab, except the people living in the city.

“This is a mud slinging campaign against me”, she protested, referring to the social media posts which foisted a well tabulated list of 700 plus names with their National Identity Card (NIC) numbers.

“It’s an absolute falsehood to say that I have forwarded names for priority in the ongoing vaccination drive”, the Mayor asserted.

A list of intended recipients of the vaccine is drawn up in any case, but that’s not the Mayor’s job, she pointed out. “Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and ward members handle the registration process and direct residents to doctors and health workers in the respective inoculation centres with the reference details”.

The Mayor said that 27,100 residents were vaccinated by Thursday, with priority accorded to high risk groups living in high density areas within Colombo Municipality’s 47 wards.

Apart from PHIs, ward members are able to bring people from within the community for the jab, Senanayake outlined. “We have enlisted their support to take the vaccination campaign forward with community participation”.

She further said that the Colombo Municipal Council Public Health Department began vaccinating all residents of the city (zones 1 through 15) above 60 years from Saturday onwards.

“We hope to complete the vaccination program covering approximately 115,000 residents in the age group within two weeks”, she said.

Citizens over 60 old who reside within the Colombo City limits, should register with their area PHI or the council member for their Municipal Ward. It is important that this process is followed to ensure an efficient program, the Mayor said.

She thanked President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, State Minister Dr. Sudharshani Fernandopulle, covid task force, and health ministry officials, without whose support this would not have been possible.

She also thanked the Public Health Department team for their tireless work and dedication in these very difficult times.