Some businesses cashing in on health crisis, says Ranawaka

Former Minister and SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday questioned the rationale behind the government shutting down the Western Province for 11 days.

The former Minister said, in a media statement, that the scientific method of closing down a place for a period of time to prevent the spread of the disease would be either 14 days or 21 days or 28 days. “Those are the accepted number of days to close down countries or specific areas to prevent the spread of the disease scientifically. Shutting down the Western Province for 11 days actually equals no-closure at all in those terms and that action had only an immense impact on the national economy,” MP Ranawaka said.

Ranawaka said that shrewd and opportunistic businessmen working closely with government politicians had commenced importing COVID-19 testing equipment from China to make the most of the health crisis. “Who is worried about the standards of that equipment? What actions have the health authorities taken to prevent these businessmen from fleecing the public?

The former minister stressed the need for a national policy to tackle the pandemic.

 “The economy is on the verge of collapse. The government should take steps to salvage the economy before the situation takes a turn for the worse, creating conditions for anarchy. Everybody should keep in mind that COVID-19 affected everyone equally, Ranawaka said.

“It is a problem for everybody and everyone must fully cooperate to beat the virus. That cannot be done successfully if the national health emergency is politicised, and some unscrupulous elements are allowed to cash in on the situation.”

Ranawaka called upon the government to act sensibly and secure the support of everyone to neutralise the COVID-19 threat once and for all.