A meeting was held yesterday afternoon (01) between the government and the UNP at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the country’s situation due to the Coronavirus threat, under the patronage of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
The president explained at length to the UNP the measures taken by his government to prevent the Coronavirus from spreading in the country. He said that many of those infected with the Covid-19 virus are those found from quarantine centers or those who had closely associated with infected persons and by identifying them early it had helped in controlling the spread of the virus.
Meanwhile, the head of the Presidential Task Force to Coordinate and Monitor the Delivery of Continuous Services for the Sustenance of Overall Community Life Basil Rajapaksa explained the programme launched by them. From the identified 6.5 million families island-wide, 5.3 million families are in the process of receiving Rs. 5000 each prior to April 09th, Basil Rajapaksa explained.
Both parties were of the view that all measures taken to control the spread of the Coronavirus should be done with the least inconvenience to the public. Both parties also agreed that all relief measures should not be political. Both parties also discussed the impact of this Coronavirus epidemic on the economy, state employees, businesses, plantation sector and those engaged in daily wage employment and the best way to resolve these issues.
Both the government and the UNP applauded and appreciated the commitment and dedication of the doctors, nurses and the entire health service, the tri-forces and police. Those who participated in the discussion agreed to inform their party representatives regarding the matters discussed at the meeting. The meeting lasted over two hours and was held in a cordial manner. Overall both parties agreed that it was a successful meeting.
Representing the government, Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Wimal Weerawansa, Bandula Gunawardena, Johnston Fernando, Dallas Alahapperuma participated, while Deputy UNP Leader Ravi Karunanayake, Arjuna Ranatunga, Ruwan Wijewardena, Daya Gamage, Palitha Range Bandara, Navin Dissanayake, Lakshman Wijayamanne participated representing the UNP. President’s Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Finance Ministry Secretary S. Artigalle and Central Bank Governor Professor W.D. Lakshman also participated.
