Mr. Sarath Kumara Gurusinghe, a retired teacher residing in Nugegoda donated his pension for the month April to the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund. Furthermore, Mr. Uyanahewage Ashoka , who has lost his visions also donated Rs. 0.5 million to the Fund. Expressing their views they said that in this context, the contribution made by them to this Fund could be considered as a humanitarian duty performed by them as citizens of the country.

Minister Chamal Rajapaksa handed over a donation of Rs.25 million collected by the Essential Food Commodities Importers & Traders Association to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa while Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, the President of the Sri Lanka Cricket, Shammi Silva, Sri Lanka cricket captain Dimuth Karunaratne and cricketer Lasith Malinga handed over a donation of Rs.25 million collected by the Sri Lanka Cricket to the President.

Minister Ramesh Pathirana handed over a donation of Rs. 7 million collected by the staffs of the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Export Agriculture and affiliated institutions to the Ministry,  to the President.

Donations of Rs. 10 million by the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd., Rs. one million each by the Public Officers’ Welfare Association and Irrigation Engineering Diplomate Association,Rs. 10 million by Kalutara Bodhi Trust Fund, Rs. 5 million by Mr. Mano Sekaram, Rs. 2.5 million by Association of University Administrators, Rs. five hundred and fifty thousand by the Immigration and Emigration Officers Association , Rs. 125,000 by the Public Finance Department and Rs.1.5 million by the National Youth Services Council were handed over to Mr. K.B. Egodawele, Director General (Administration) of the Presidential Secretariat.

The balance of the Fund has surpassed Rs. 585 million as of today’s evening.

All the donations will be credited to the special account opened under the number   85737373 at the Corporate Branch of the Bank of Ceylon. Local as well as foreign donors have made their contributions to the Fund. Donations to COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund have been exempted from taxes and foreign exchange regulations. Deposits can be made through cheques or telegraphic transfers.

Further details can be obtained from Mr. K.B. Egodawele, Director General (Administration) of the Presidential Secretariat through the telephone number 011 2 35 44 79.

A meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and medical experts representing various fields was held at the Presidential Secretariat, today (09) with the aim of obtaining much needed expert medical opinion on how to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country promptly.

During this meeting the steps that have been taken by the government, security forces and the health sector officials to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as the steps that should be taken in the future, were discussed at length.

The specialists pointed out the importance of conducting investigations on groups that were in close contact with infected persons and who have had contacts in two stages further.

Even though there are sufficient coronavirus test kits available at present, President Rajapaksa instructed the health authorities to take necessary steps to acquire more test kits in order to face any situation.

The group of specialist doctors commended the President’s quarantine programme launched with the aim of preventing the spread of the virus.

Doctors said that further strengthening of the existing quarantine process is the most effective approach to prevent the spread of the virus.

The experts stressed the importance of protecting areas where the virus has not spread into. They were of the view that spread of the virus to those areas as a result of travelling by the people from the affected areas should be stopped.

The Doctors said that the first step is to ensure that everyone stays at home to the extent possible following the ‘’Panchayuda” system. The “Panchayuda” approach includes the use of face masks when leaving the house, avoid touching the face, maintaining a distance of one meter at all times, and hand washing.

Experts, Universities, Technology Institutions, Individual Groups have made a number of discoveries regarding COVID-19. It was also discussed to promptly conduct researches into those findings at professional level.

The President inquired about persons who run the risk of being infected with coronavirus speedily and what measures should be taken to protect these vulnerable groups.

Doctors stated that people with diabetes, asthma and heart diseases need to be vigilant and they should take the medication as prescribed by the physicians. They also emphasized the importance of abstaining from smoking. The expert team also pointed out the importance of drinking liquids to maintain throat’s moisture.

Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Chief Adviser of the President, Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary Defence Major Gen (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defense staff and Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Acting Inspector General of Police , C.D. Wickramaratne, Former Governor, Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Specialist doctors Vajira Senaratne, Ananda Wijewickrama , Prof. Sarath Jayasinghe,Prof. Arjuna de Silva, Dr. M.C. Weerasinghe, Prof. Neelika Malavige, Prasad Katulanda, Prof. Vajira Dissanayake, Prof. Ranjani Gamage, Kumuduni Ranathunga, Amitha Fernando, Indika Lanerolle and Jude Samantha participated at the meeting.

A contribution of Rs. 66 million was made to the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund within two days.

The latest donations had increased the balance of the Fund to Rs. 380 million.

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma donated his Cabinet Minister’s salary for the month of April and Minister Gamini Lokuge donated Rs. 10 million. These donations were received by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (6).

The balance of the Fund had gone up with the contributions of Rs. 25 million by the National Lotteries Board, Rs. 2.5 million each by National Savings Bank and the Engineers’ Association of Ceylon Electricity Board, Rs. 2 million by Land Reforms Commission, Rs. 10 million by Maliban Biscuit Manufactories Ltd., Rs. 1 million by Matara Bodhi Arakshaka Sabhawa and Rs. 5 million by Nature’s Beauty Creations.

All the donations will be credited to the special account opened under the number   85737373 at the Corporate Branch of the Bank of Ceylon. Local as well as foreign donors have made their contributions to the Fund. Donations to COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund have been exempted from taxes and foreign exchange regulations. Deposits can be made through cheques or telegraphic transfers.

Further details can be obtained from Mr. K.B. Egodawele, Director General (Administration) of the Presidential Secretariat through the telephone number 0112354354.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed matters relating to the prevailing situation in the wake of COVID – 19 spread  with the representatives of Samagi Jana Balawegaya at the Presidential Secretariat today (06).

President Rajapaksa elaborated on the measures already taken by the Government to prevent the spread of the lethal virus and the future actions in this regard.

The responsible manner which the Government acted following the declaration by the World Health Organization about the pandemic was explained by the President. The Government was able to take several swift actions to safeguard the citizens of this country, President said.

Every step to ensure uninterrupted day –to-day civilian life was taken. These timely measures were instrumental in controlling the spread. Actions were taken under the guidance of experts in collaboration with the health sector and security forces. Pre-testing with the assistance of medical consultants to identify the infected and those associated with them will continue. This will be helpful for the early detection of the affected, President added.

The quarantine process continues at 40 centers. Programmes have been initiated with the assistance of Public Health Officers (PHIs) to mitigate the spread of COVID- 19 in areas where the infected have been identified. President lauded the service of the PHIs in detection and observations processes.

The representatives of Samagi Jana Balawegaya expressed their satisfaction over the measures taken by the Government so far. Both parties agreed that this should continue without political or any other differences.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that if there are any shortcomings in the government programs, immediate action will be taken to rectify them.

President Rajapaksa and the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sajith Premadasa requested the employers to attend to the needs of their employees who are engaged in various daily wage based industries including construction sector as they can get stranded and have not been able to return to their homes.

A stock of essential medicine required for daily healthcare services including medicine for non-communicable diseases is to arrive in the island from India tomorrow (07) upon the request by the government.

The President explained that after taking the current global economic and social crisis into account, plans are already underway to implement an appropriate economic model suitable to Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa highlighted that the experts have been consulted to uplift the apparel and tourism industries which have suffered a setback and the government will take action under their instructions when the opportunity permits.

In addition to Samurdhi beneficiaries, 700,000 senior citizens, disabled persons and Kidney patients have been granted an allowance of Rs. 5,000 without any discrimination. Chief of the Presidential Task Force, Basil Rajapaksa stated that if any individual had not received their allowance yet, he/she is entitled to make an appeal with their respective Grama Niladhari Officer.

Government and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya paid their attention to future plans in number fields including healthcare.

Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Wimal Weerawansa, Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardana and Johnston Fernando represented the government while Samagi Jana Balawegaya was represented by its leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary, Ranjith Maddumabandara. Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and several others were present as well.

The Cabinet of Ministers has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to convince global leaders to convene a conference similar to Bretton Woods Conference to overcome post COVID-19 global economic crisis.

Briefing on this week’s cabinet decisions, Co-cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardene said Sri Lanka had been able to take preventive measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic even before most of the countries in the world with the assistance of health sector workers, Tri Forces, police and other relevant authorities, under the far-sighted leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“As informed by the health sector authorities, the period of next two weeks has been identified as a high risk period. COVID-19 is the biggest menace that the whole world had to undergo since World War II. So none of the countries in the world can face the post COVID-19 crisis alone,” he added.

Considering this the Cabinet of Ministers proposed the President to urge global leaders to convene a conference similar to the Bretton Woods,” Dr. Gunawardene noted.

The Bretton Woods Conference was a gathering of leaders and financial experts from all nations to regulate the international monetary and financial order after the conclusion of World War II.

The Presidential Secretariat had received information about several instances of fraudsters collecting money using COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund as cover.

The Secretary to the President requests the public to make their contributions to the Fund only through direct bank deposits, cheques or any other approved mean and not to donate money to any organizations or individuals.

The Government advises the entire population to observe “health quarantine”. The provision of their daily needs of food, medicine and other essentials services is being carried out according to the regulations and guidelines of health authorities and the Elections Commission.

The Secretary appeals to the public to inform such misdeeds to the nearest Police station. In this regard further information can be obtained from Mr. K. B. Egodawele, Director General (Administration) through 011 2354479/ 0112 354354.

With direct contributions from the public, the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund reached Rs. 314.5 million mark today (April 02^nd).

The Fund’s balance increased with the contributions of Rs. 10 million each by the Telecom Engineers Benevolent Fund and the Ceylon Electricity Board Independent Engineers Association and Rs.50 million by the Cargills (Ceylon) PLC.

A special account had been opened at the Corporate Branch of the Bank of Ceylon under the account number of 85737373. Local as well as foreign donors have made their contributions to the Fund. Donations to COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund have been exempted from taxes and foreign exchange regulations. Deposits can be made through cheques or telegraphic transfers.