SJB frowns on Port City beach concert amidst Omicron threat

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Mujibur Rahuman yesterday (25) said that the government should follow its own health guidelines without causing an explosive spread of Covid-19.

Referring to repeated warnings given by medical experts to restrict movements in the face of the formidable challenge posed by the Omicron varian, the Colombo District MP demanded to know why permission had been given for a concert at the Colombo Port City.

Appreciating the Health Ministry’s efforts to persuade the public to receive the third dose/booster ahead of the first anniversary of the launch ofthe inoculation campaign, the former UNPer said that the government should lead by example.

MP Rahuman said that Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at the Health Ministry on Monday (24) had revealed a decision by the SLPP Gampaha District political leadership to allow musical shows on the condition that only the fully vaccinated would be allowed. MP Rahuman said that Gampaha district couldn’t follow a different set of rules.

“How could politicians decide on health guidelines?’ MP Rahuman asked.

Responding to another query, the MP stressed that large crowds did not follow health guidelines, and contrary to specific instructions issued by DGHS, politicians had allowed musical shows to be held.

Crowds at the recent Sri Lanka –Zimbabwe clash had not adhered to the Covid-19 health guidelines, MP Rahuman said, recalling that the public hadn’t forgotten how the government had caused Sinhala and Tamil Avurudhu and Welisara Covid clusters through lax enforcement of guidelines.

The MP said many schools in the Colombo District had been affected by Covid-19.