Features
Update on the Omicron variant
By M.C.M. Iqbal
(mcmif2003@yahoo.com)
Scientists in South Africa announced on 25 November the discovery of a new variant of the Coronavirus. On 26 November, the WHO named this variant, Omicron. Although the virus originated in neighbouring Botswana, the media labelled South Africa as the country of origin.
Despite the WHO adopting a neutral system to identify new variants of the Coronavirus (using letters of the Greek alphabet), the Omicron variant is associated with South Africa. However, there are two more letters between Delta and Omicron in the Greek alphabet that the WHO decided not to use. These are Nu and Xie, which the WHO thought could be confused with ‘new’, while Xie is a common surname in China. The last variant of the virus to emerge was the Delta variant, which surfaced in December 2020, in India. This article is an attempt to explain the latest findings on the Omicron variant.
Global status
Omicron has spread across countries faster than any of the previous variants of the Coronavirus. Within two months it spread to 151 countries on all the continents. Some experts believe it is the fastest spreading virus in human history. The figure below, from Nextstrain, shows the nearly total replacement of the then-dominant Delta variant by the Omicron variant by mid-February. Nextstrain is a global database depicting the real-time evolution of the genomes of the coronavirus and other globally significant pathogens. This interactive platform provides professionals and the public information to understand pathogens’ global spread and evolution, including information on individual countries. (https://nextstrain.org/ncov/open/global).
See figure:
Global distribution of Delta and Omicron variants on [A] 1st January 2022 and [B] 11th February 2022 (Graphic: Fadil Iqbal/IUPUI. Data: Nextstrain)
What’s unique about Omicron?
Scientists are using hi-tech approaches to understand the unique structure of the Omicron variant. One such method is called cryo-electron microscopy, which has revealed the molecular structure of the spike proteins of the virus. Spikes on the Coronavirus, the flower-like protrusions on the surface, are the key to the virus’ design, which it uses to latch on to and enter our cells. Unlike the previous Alpha and Delta variants, the Omicron variant has over 30 changes (mutations) to its spike.
The initial Coronavirus and the earlier variants, Alpha and Delta, could infect our lungs, causing many complications. The virus turned the lungs into a battlefield reducing their capacity to provide oxygen to our body. Seriously ill patients were given oxygen. So, why is Omicron apparently causing a milder form of the disease? Omicron seems less efficient in infecting the cells in the lungs than those in our nose and throat. The changes in the spike of the Omicron have hindered its ability to enter the lung cells.
Changes in Omicron
The changes or mutations in the Omicron variant has enabled the virus to spread more quickly in the human population. Significant modifications identified by scientists are summarised below.
Evading defences
The immune system in our body is our defence system that destroys and eliminates any foreign disease-causing agents entering our body. A primary weapon of the immune system is antibodies. These are produced either due to previous infections or are induced by vaccines. They attach themselves to the virus and neutralise their ability to get into our cells. The vaccines for COVID-19 are based on spike proteins. Around half of the new mutations of Omicron are found on a region of the spike (called receptor binding domain), which binds with a protein on the surface of cells in our throat and lungs (called ACE2 receptor). This binding is crucial for the virus to enter the cell. These new mutations have changed the spikes of the Omicron variant so much so that our antibodies from vaccinations and previous infections cannot recognize the spike. Consequently, Omicron can escape some of the defences created by the vaccines. Fortunately, only some of our antibodies, called neutralising antibodies, are affected by this. Because of this, vaccination and boosters still provide us with protection, preventing severe infection.
The earlier variants too had spike mutations, but these were few and prevented only some of the antibodies from recognizing the spike. The changes on the Omicron spike are more numerous. Imagine a jigsaw puzzle with only a few pieces missing or changed, you can still make out the picture. But if many pieces are altered or missing, you would not recognize the picture.
Better spike to enter cells
Before latching onto the receptors on our cells in the throat and lungs, which are the doorway into our throat and lung cells, two parts (subunits) of the spike protein need to open or separate. In the previous variants, these subunits were weakly attached. Some separated too early and thus were not available to latch on to the receptors on the cells. In the Omicron variant these subunits are stabilised so that much more spikes are available, increasing the chances of the virus attaching to the receptors.
It begs the question, if the Omicron spike has changed, how can it bind to the cells at all? Scientists from the Universities of British Columbia and Washington say that the mutations have increased its ability to bind with our cells at a level on par with the Delta variant.
New route of entry
The previous variants needed the cooperation of two proteins on the surface of our cells, to enter (called ACE2 and TMPRSS2), and some cells do not have the second protein. Therefore, the virus could not enter cells that did not have the second protein. Omicron needs only the help of ACE2 to enter cells and now has a more extensive range of cells to enter.
Omicron spreads rapidly
The virus is quickly expelled into the air if it infects and multiplies in the throat. Further, since Omicron causes a milder form of the disease, infected persons may be unaware that they carry the virus. They would be moving about socially and at work spreading the virus. Consequently, the obvious means of slowing or preventing the spread of the virus is to always wear a mask and avoid social gatherings.
Studies also show the period between exposure to the virus and onset of symptoms is now three days for Omicron. At the pandemic’s beginning, this was more than five days, and for the Delta variant, it was four days.
Immediate concern
Scientists have two significant concerns. First, Omicron can spread rapidly, and second, it can bypass our immune system. Our immune system is our internal defence system, using antibodies and an arsenal of chemicals and cells. In addition, the available vaccines were designed by scientists based on the Coronavirus variants circulating in the population. Thus, major changes to the Coronavirus can reduce the efficiency of available vaccines. Health authorities observed both these concerns in the past month: Omicron can spread more rapidly than the earlier dominant Delta variant, and vaccination shows a reduced ability to prevent infection by Omicron, compared to the Delta variant. This has called for booster doses for people who have already received the two mandatory doses.
What can be done?
Vaccination is the primary tool we have to prevent the spread of the virus and curtail its opportunities to multiply. Besides the two mandatory doses of the vaccine, we also need to get the booster; this strategy has shown a marked reduction in severe disease and the need for hospitalisation. In addition, we should rigorously follow the simple rules we are familiar with – wearing a mask at all times when outside, maintaining social distance, and following hygienic practices by washing hands with soap and avoiding touching the nose and face with possibly contaminated hands.
Future
The Coronavirus is here for the long haul. New variants will keep emerging, and it seems unlikely we can eradicate it. The virus has only two major routes into our body: The nose and mouth, which we should always be mindful of, particularly in public spaces. All we need is a tight-fitting mask to prevent the entry of the virus. Media should help to counter vaccine hesitancy and the spread of misinformation. As individuals, we need to understand the biology of the virus (the purpose of this article), to avoid spreading the virus and infecting ourselves and others, and above all, to stop the spread of false information through social media. The underlying science of the Coronavirus is evolving rapidly, as seen by research published daily. Although the virus is also changing and producing unpredictable variants, the science should be supported, in a broad sense, for health authorities and policymakers to develop strategies to mitigate the spread and impact of the Coronavirus.
by Dr Gotabhya Ranasinghe
Senior Consultant Cardiologist
National Hospital Sri Lanka
When we sought a meeting with Hon Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health, he graciously cleared his busy schedule to accommodate us. Renowned for his attentive listening and deep understanding, Minister Pathirana is dedicated to advancing the health sector. His openness and transparency exemplify the qualities of an exemplary politician and minister.
Dr. Palitha Mahipala, the current Health Secretary, demonstrates both commendable enthusiasm and unwavering support. This combination of attributes makes him a highly compatible colleague for the esteemed Minister of Health.
Our discussion centered on a project that has been in the works for the past 30 years, one that no other minister had managed to advance.
Minister Pathirana, however, recognized the project’s significance and its potential to revolutionize care for heart patients.
The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art facility at the premises of the National Hospital Colombo. The project’s location within the premises of the National Hospital underscores its importance and relevance to the healthcare infrastructure of the nation.
This facility will include a cardiology building and a tertiary care center, equipped with the latest technology to handle and treat all types of heart-related conditions and surgeries.
Securing funding was a major milestone for this initiative. Minister Pathirana successfully obtained approval for a $40 billion loan from the Asian Development Bank. With the funding in place, the foundation stone is scheduled to be laid in September this year, and construction will begin in January 2025.
This project guarantees a consistent and uninterrupted supply of stents and related medications for heart patients. As a result, patients will have timely access to essential medical supplies during their treatment and recovery. By securing these critical resources, the project aims to enhance patient outcomes, minimize treatment delays, and maintain the highest standards of cardiac care.
Upon its fruition, this monumental building will serve as a beacon of hope and healing, symbolizing the unwavering dedication to improving patient outcomes and fostering a healthier society.We anticipate a future marked by significant progress and positive outcomes in Sri Lanka’s cardiovascular treatment landscape within the foreseeable timeframe.
by Fr. Emmanuel Fernando, OMI
Jesuit Fr. Aloysius Pieris (affectionately called Fr. Aloy) celebrated his 90th birthday on April 9, 2024 and I, as the editor of our Oblate Journal, THE MISSIONARY OBLATE had gone to press by that time. Immediately I decided to publish an article, appreciating the untiring selfless services he continues to offer for inter-Faith dialogue, the renewal of the Catholic Church, his concern for the poor and the suffering Sri Lankan masses and to me, the present writer.
It was in 1988, when I was appointed Director of the Oblate Scholastics at Ampitiya by the then Oblate Provincial Fr. Anselm Silva, that I came to know Fr. Aloy more closely. Knowing well his expertise in matters spiritual, theological, Indological and pastoral, and with the collaborative spirit of my companion-formators, our Oblate Scholastics were sent to Tulana, the Research and Encounter Centre, Kelaniya, of which he is the Founder-Director, for ‘exposure-programmes’ on matters spiritual, biblical, theological and pastoral. Some of these dimensions according to my view and that of my companion-formators, were not available at the National Seminary, Ampitiya.
Ever since that time, our Oblate formators/ accompaniers at the Oblate Scholasticate, Ampitiya , have continued to send our Oblate Scholastics to Tulana Centre for deepening their insights and convictions regarding matters needed to serve the people in today’s context. Fr. Aloy also had tried very enthusiastically with the Oblate team headed by Frs. Oswald Firth and Clement Waidyasekara to begin a Theologate, directed by the Religious Congregations in Sri Lanka, for the contextual formation/ accompaniment of their members. It should very well be a desired goal of the Leaders / Provincials of the Religious Congregations.
Besides being a formator/accompanier at the Oblate Scholasticate, I was entrusted also with the task of editing and publishing our Oblate journal, ‘The Missionary Oblate’. To maintain the quality of the journal I continue to depend on Fr. Aloy for his thought-provoking and stimulating articles on Biblical Spirituality, Biblical Theology and Ecclesiology. I am very grateful to him for his generous assistance. Of late, his writings on renewal of the Church, initiated by Pope St. John XX111 and continued by Pope Francis through the Synodal path, published in our Oblate journal, enable our readers to focus their attention also on the needed renewal in the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka. Fr. Aloy appreciated very much the Synodal path adopted by the Jesuit Pope Francis for the renewal of the Church, rooted very much on prayerful discernment. In my Religious and presbyteral life, Fr.Aloy continues to be my spiritual animator / guide and ongoing formator / acccompanier.
Fr. Aloysius Pieris, BA Hons (Lond), LPh (SHC, India), STL (PFT, Naples), PhD (SLU/VC), ThD (Tilburg), D.Ltt (KU), has been one of the eminent Asian theologians well recognized internationally and one who has lectured and held visiting chairs in many universities both in the West and in the East. Many members of Religious Congregations from Asian countries have benefited from his lectures and guidance in the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Manila, Philippines. He had been a Theologian consulted by the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences for many years. During his professorship at the Gregorian University in Rome, he was called to be a member of a special group of advisers on other religions consulted by Pope Paul VI.
Fr. Aloy is the author of more than 30 books and well over 500 Research Papers. Some of his books and articles have been translated and published in several countries. Among those books, one can find the following: 1) The Genesis of an Asian Theology of Liberation (An Autobiographical Excursus on the Art of Theologising in Asia, 2) An Asian Theology of Liberation, 3) Providential Timeliness of Vatican 11 (a long-overdue halt to a scandalous millennium, 4) Give Vatican 11 a chance, 5) Leadership in the Church, 6) Relishing our faith in working for justice (Themes for study and discussion), 7) A Message meant mainly, not exclusively for Jesuits (Background information necessary for helping Francis renew the Church), 8) Lent in Lanka (Reflections and Resolutions, 9) Love meets wisdom (A Christian Experience of Buddhism, 10) Fire and Water 11) God’s Reign for God’s poor, 12) Our Unhiddden Agenda (How we Jesuits work, pray and form our men). He is also the Editor of two journals, Vagdevi, Journal of Religious Reflection and Dialogue, New Series.
Fr. Aloy has a BA in Pali and Sanskrit from the University of London and a Ph.D in Buddhist Philosophy from the University of Sri Lankan, Vidyodaya Campus. On Nov. 23, 2019, he was awarded the prestigious honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) by the Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya, the Most Venerable Welamitiyawe Dharmakirthi Sri Kusala Dhamma Thera.
Fr. Aloy continues to be a promoter of Gospel values and virtues. Justice as a constitutive dimension of love and social concern for the downtrodden masses are very much noted in his life and work. He had very much appreciated the commitment of the late Fr. Joseph (Joe) Fernando, the National Director of the Social and Economic Centre (SEDEC) for the poor.
In Sri Lanka, a few religious Congregations – the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and the Oblates – have invited him to animate their members especially during their Provincial Congresses, Chapters and International Conferences. The mainline Christian Churches also have sought his advice and followed his seminars. I, for one, regret very much, that the Sri Lankan authorities of the Catholic Church –today’s Hierarchy—- have not sought Fr.
Aloy’s expertise for the renewal of the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka and thus have not benefited from the immense store of wisdom and insight that he can offer to our local Church while the Sri Lankan bishops who governed the Catholic church in the immediate aftermath of the Second Vatican Council (Edmund Fernando OMI, Anthony de Saram, Leo Nanayakkara OSB, Frank Marcus Fernando, Paul Perera,) visited him and consulted him on many matters. Among the Tamil Bishops, Bishop Rayappu Joseph was keeping close contact with him and Bishop J. Deogupillai hosted him and his team visiting him after the horrible Black July massacre of Tamils.
Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement
By Gomi Senadhira
senadhiragomi@gmail.com
“You might tell fairy tales, but the progress of a country cannot be achieved through such narratives. A country cannot be developed by making false promises. The country moved backward because of the electoral promises made by political parties throughout time. We have witnessed that the ultimate result of this is the country becoming bankrupt. Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet.” – President Ranil Wickremesinghe, 2024 Budget speech
Any Sri Lankan would agree with the above words of President Wickremesinghe on the false promises our politicians and officials make and the fairy tales they narrate which bankrupted this country. So, to understand this, let’s look at one such fairy tale with lots of false promises; Ranil Wickremesinghe’s greatest achievement in the area of international trade and investment promotion during the Yahapalana period, Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA).
It is appropriate and timely to do it now as Finance Minister Wickremesinghe has just presented to parliament a bill on the National Policy on Economic Transformation which includes the establishment of an Office for International Trade and the Sri Lanka Institute of Economics and International Trade.
Was SLSFTA a “Cleverly negotiated Free Trade Agreement” as stated by the (former) Minister of Development Strategies and International Trade Malik Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate on the SLSFTA in July 2018, or a colossal blunder covered up with lies, false promises, and fairy tales? After SLSFTA was signed there were a number of fairy tales published on this agreement by the Ministry of Development Strategies and International, Institute of Policy Studies, and others.
However, for this article, I would like to limit my comments to the speech by Minister Samarawickrama during the Parliamentary Debate, and the two most important areas in the agreement which were covered up with lies, fairy tales, and false promises, namely: revenue loss for Sri Lanka and Investment from Singapore. On the other important area, “Waste products dumping” I do not want to comment here as I have written extensively on the issue.
1. The revenue loss
During the Parliamentary Debate in July 2018, Minister Samarawickrama stated “…. let me reiterate that this FTA with Singapore has been very cleverly negotiated by us…. The liberalisation programme under this FTA has been carefully designed to have the least impact on domestic industry and revenue collection. We have included all revenue sensitive items in the negative list of items which will not be subject to removal of tariff. Therefore, 97.8% revenue from Customs duty is protected. Our tariff liberalisation will take place over a period of 12-15 years! In fact, the revenue earned through tariffs on goods imported from Singapore last year was Rs. 35 billion.
The revenue loss for over the next 15 years due to the FTA is only Rs. 733 million– which when annualised, on average, is just Rs. 51 million. That is just 0.14% per year! So anyone who claims the Singapore FTA causes revenue loss to the Government cannot do basic arithmetic! Mr. Speaker, in conclusion, I call on my fellow members of this House – don’t mislead the public with baseless criticism that is not grounded in facts. Don’t look at petty politics and use these issues for your own political survival.”
I was surprised to read the minister’s speech because an article published in January 2018 in “The Straits Times“, based on information released by the Singaporean Negotiators stated, “…. With the FTA, tariff savings for Singapore exports are estimated to hit $10 million annually“.
As the annual tariff savings (that is the revenue loss for Sri Lanka) calculated by the Singaporean Negotiators, Singaporean $ 10 million (Sri Lankan rupees 1,200 million in 2018) was way above the rupees’ 733 million revenue loss for 15 years estimated by the Sri Lankan negotiators, it was clear to any observer that one of the parties to the agreement had not done the basic arithmetic!
Six years later, according to a report published by “The Morning” newspaper, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) on 7th May 2024, Mr Samarawickrama’s chief trade negotiator K.J. Weerasinghehad had admitted “…. that forecasted revenue loss for the Government of Sri Lanka through the Singapore FTA is Rs. 450 million in 2023 and Rs. 1.3 billion in 2024.”
If these numbers are correct, as tariff liberalisation under the SLSFTA has just started, we will pass Rs 2 billion very soon. Then, the question is how Sri Lanka’s trade negotiators made such a colossal blunder. Didn’t they do their basic arithmetic? If they didn’t know how to do basic arithmetic they should have at least done their basic readings. For example, the headline of the article published in The Straits Times in January 2018 was “Singapore, Sri Lanka sign FTA, annual savings of $10m expected”.
Anyway, as Sri Lanka’s chief negotiator reiterated at the COPF meeting that “…. since 99% of the tariffs in Singapore have zero rates of duty, Sri Lanka has agreed on 80% tariff liberalisation over a period of 15 years while expecting Singapore investments to address the imbalance in trade,” let’s turn towards investment.
Investment from Singapore
In July 2018, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on the FTA this is what Minister Malik Samarawickrama stated on investment from Singapore, “Already, thanks to this FTA, in just the past two-and-a-half months since the agreement came into effect we have received a proposal from Singapore for investment amounting to $ 14.8 billion in an oil refinery for export of petroleum products. In addition, we have proposals for a steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million), sugar refinery ($ 200 million). This adds up to more than $ 16.05 billion in the pipeline on these projects alone.
And all of these projects will create thousands of more jobs for our people. In principle approval has already been granted by the BOI and the investors are awaiting the release of land the environmental approvals to commence the project.
I request the Opposition and those with vested interests to change their narrow-minded thinking and join us to develop our country. We must always look at what is best for the whole community, not just the few who may oppose. We owe it to our people to courageously take decisions that will change their lives for the better.”
According to the media report I quoted earlier, speaking at the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chief Negotiator Weerasinghe has admitted that Sri Lanka was not happy with overall Singapore investments that have come in the past few years in return for the trade liberalisation under the Singapore-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He has added that between 2021 and 2023 the total investment from Singapore had been around $162 million!
What happened to those projects worth $16 billion negotiated, thanks to the SLSFTA, in just the two-and-a-half months after the agreement came into effect and approved by the BOI? I do not know about the steel manufacturing plant for exports ($ 1 billion investment), flour milling plant ($ 50 million) and sugar refinery ($ 200 million).
However, story of the multibillion-dollar investment in the Petroleum Refinery unfolded in a manner that would qualify it as the best fairy tale with false promises presented by our politicians and the officials, prior to 2019 elections.
Though many Sri Lankans got to know, through the media which repeatedly highlighted a plethora of issues surrounding the project and the questionable credentials of the Singaporean investor, the construction work on the Mirrijiwela Oil Refinery along with the cement factory began on the24th of March 2019 with a bang and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers along with the foreign and local dignitaries laid the foundation stones.
That was few months before the 2019 Presidential elections. Inaugurating the construction work Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the projects will create thousands of job opportunities in the area and surrounding districts.
The oil refinery, which was to be built over 200 acres of land, with the capacity to refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day, was to generate US$7 billion of exports and create 1,500 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs. The construction of the refinery was to be completed in 44 months. Four years later, in August 2023 the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to cancel the agreement with the investors of the refinery as the project has not been implemented! Can they explain to the country how much money was wasted to produce that fairy tale?
It is obvious that the President, ministers, and officials had made huge blunders and had deliberately misled the public and the parliament on the revenue loss and potential investment from SLSFTA with fairy tales and false promises.
As the president himself said, a country cannot be developed by making false promises or with fairy tales and these false promises and fairy tales had bankrupted the country. “Unfortunately, many segments of the population have not come to realize this yet”.
(The writer, a specialist and an activist on trade and development issues . )
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