SJB asks govt. to set up National Disaster Management Council

The government must appoint a national disaster management council to tackle the prevailing pandemic situation, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva yesterday urged.

Addressing the media, in Colombo, the SJB MP said the government is legally bound to appoint and convene the council now as per the Disaster Management Act.

“The President should head the Disaster Management Council as per the Disaster Management Act. The Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, selected Ministers and five opposition MPs must be included in it. This council must be established and convened as soon as possible. Around 25 people are dying of COVID and more than 2000 new cases are being reported daily. There has never been a better time,” he said.

Dr. de Silva said that health experts had told the government that the UK variant was present since February. This information was neglected by the government authorities.

“This is similar to those in the previous government neglecting the warnings given by the intelligence units on the Easter Sunday attack,” he said.

This negligence is similar to what had happened to Brazil, the SJB MP said.