State Minister Jayakody tells Opposition not to fan racial tensions

By Saman Indrajith

The Opposition was trying to incite racial tensions during the COVID-19 pandemic situation prevailing in the country, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Rural and Ayurveda Hospital Development and Community Health Sisira Jayakody told Parliament yesterday (13). 

Participating in COVID-19 second wave debate, State Minister Jayakody said: “We would like to commend the measures taken by the President, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, the security forces and the health sector to control the pandemic. The Opposition is saying that they would have closed the airports quickly due to the pandemic. But we follow a balanced methodology. We are systematically repatriating Sri Lankans living abroad. We cannot abandon them.”

The State Minister said: “It is the Health authorities that advise on the imposition of curfews. This Opposition does not have one solid opinion on how to manage the pandemic. Sometimes they say not to impose a curfew but sometimes they oppose their own statements. As we speak, Quarantine Curfew is being imposed in Peliyagoda and the government has taken steps to provide the affected families the food package worth Rs.5000.”

 “The Opposition on one hand says that deceased Muslim persons should not be cremated but should be buried and at the same time questions government’s decision to facilitate the Muslims to follow their faith during this trying time. The Opposition is trying to spread racism and use it for their benefit. However, the recommendations of the Health Department regarding the amount of groundwater in the country have to be followed with regard to burial. Therefore, we request the Opposition not to play with the lives of the people of this country,” Minister Jayakody said