SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 LATEST EDITION VOL: 10/25 PRICE : RS 70.00 Inside Story An Uphill Battle Against ‘Infodemic’ The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared that, in addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the world See on is also facing an “infodemic.” PAGE A16 A10 Second dose of Oxford AstraZeneca Another Pfizer vaccine Approved gets green light BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE The Advisory Committee of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has given the green light for Vaccine the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Infectious Diseases and COVID Control, Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle said. May be Used Story Continued on PAGE 2 COVID-19 attacks – Prof. Seneviratne 33 doctors, BY BUDDHIKA SAMARAWEERA Suranjith Seneviratne, Professor and Consultant 70 nurses in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at the Royal If administration of the second dose of the Free Hospital and University College London. Oxford AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine However, he emphasised it was imperative that Pregnant doctors, nurses continues to be delayed due to lack of stocks, such a vaccine be approved by a national or another approved vaccine available in the country global regulatory body. According to him, if a among infected could be used as a second dose, said Prof. vaccine for COVID-19 is approved by... BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE Story Continued on PAGE 2 With the total number of COVID-19 patients detected following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season reaching 20,843, medical sources said over 30 doctors Ruwanpura No reopening of educational had also been infected by the virus. Expressway project bodies till further notice Story Continued on PAGE 2 inaugurated Obtaining 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK The inauguration ceremony of the Ruwanpura Expressway project was held on Friday (7) at The Government has decided not President hopeful Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime to reopen schools, pre-schools, Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. pirivenas, tuition classes and State Work on the first phase of the project universities, until further notice, WHO DG will help commenced, beginning with the construction of due to the sudden rise in the the 24 km section from Kahathuduwa to COVID-19 outbreak in the BY FAADHILA THASSIM Ingiriya. The second and third phases of the country, Education Minister Prof. project will extend the expressway up to G.L. Peiris said. Despite the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (7) stated he Ratnapura and Pelmadulla, respectively. Government’s keen interest in believes Director General of the World Health continuing the education,... Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Story Continued on PAGE 2 would make an effort to fulfil Sri Lanka’s need for Story Continued on PAGE 2 600,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine, in order to administer the second To fight COVID-19 third wave dose to the people. AstraZeneca Second dose PM urges all to Sinopharm Story Continued on PAGE 2 14-week gap receives WHO support Govt Bimshani Jasin Arachchi says; BY W.K. PRASAD MANJU sufficient approval Jab for Lankans from I am still a DIG Prime Minister Mahinda – Medical experts Rajapaksa said he would urge Medical professionals have next week BY SULOCHANA RAMIAH MOHAN all Sri Lankans to support the recommended that the second dose of Government by putting aside the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine BY KUMUDU JAYAWARDANA, The IGP has issued an internal circular dated 23 their differences, be it political can be given, even after 14 weeks, THARAKA SAMMAN AND REBECCA March 2021, ordering the removal of Chief of Police or otherwise, to conclusively without compromising the already built- PAVEY Ombudsman Range Deputy Inspector General of and effectively tackle the up immunity in those who have received Police (DIG) Bimshani Jasin Arachchi from duty with spread of the third wave of the the first dose of the vaccine. Sri Lankans will be given the Chinese effect from 1 May 2021. COVID-19 pandemic, akin to the support they This was revealed while concerns were Sinopharm Vaccine from next week, The internal circular stated there will be changes had extended to the then regime to wipe out being raised among the public as to State Minister of Production, Supply brought forth in many posts and including the post of LTTE terrorism. whether those who had received the... and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals,... Chief of Police Ombudsman held by DIG Bimshani,... Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 A2 SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 NEWS COVID-19 infects 22 Cancer patients at Apeksha BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE hospital too found it difficult to go to (MOH) office of the area if a COVID-19 instructions given by the MOH office have had no contact with the those hospitals and treat cancer positive case was detected from of the area. particular employee were affected Acting Director of Apeksha Hospital patients. amongst their employees. According to epidemiological psychologically. He said that although Maharagama, Dr. Lalith Poddalagoda He said that a COVID treatment Treasurer of the Public Health instructions it is best for the contacts this had not been a problem earlier it told the media that the hospital was facility had been set up at the Hospital Inspectors Union Sri Lanka (PHIUSL), of that particular patient or patients, was currently becoming an issue in currently treating 22 Cancer patients with 77 beds inclusive of 25 beds for Yasas Mudalige on Thursday (6) said according to the epidemiological the accurate diagnosis of the cases infected with COVID-19. Cancer children to treat those suffering from that since of late the private sector instructions, to wait for a period of 10 and disease spread. Tests on other treatment was neglected when the terminal illness. institutions showed a tendency days when the viral load would employees- even contacts of the first COVID-19 infected cancer patients Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors towards rushing to do PCRs on their increase and they would also show patient would turn out negative if were transferred to other treatment (PHIs) urged private sector institutions employees the moment at least one of symptoms if they too had contacted hurried PCR or Rapid Antigen tests facilities for the viral infection, he to take immediate measures to inform them was diagnosed with the COVID- the disease, Mudalige said. were carried out the moment one said. Also Oncologists at the cancer the relevant Medical Officer of Health 19 virus. “However it is best to follow Also, the contacts or even those who employee tested positive, he said. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Another Approved Vaccine... ...a global regulatory body such as otherrelevantlocal authority, the V vaccine and US-made Pfizer- vaccine has been approved for use in matter, Prof. Seneviratne said it was the World Health Organisation vaccine can be substituted for the Biotech vaccine have been approved the United Kingdom, and Moderna up to the health authorities in each (WHO), the European Medicines second dose of the Oxford for emergency use in Sri Lanka by and Johnson and Johnson have country to decide which vaccine Agency (EMA), the Food and Drug AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine, local authorities. been approved for use in Germany should be given instead of the first Administration (FDA), the Medicines in the context of Sri Lanka. Currently, various vaccines have and the United States. dose of a particular vaccine, of and Healthcare Products Regulatory In addition to the COVISHIELD been approved for use in different When inquired as to how the which the second dose is not Agency (MHPRA) in the UK or any vaccine, only Russian-made Sputnik countries. For example, the Moderna decision should be reached on the available. President hopeful... Ruwanpura Expressway... The President on Friday held a virtual meeting vaccine from China. Construction up to previous Government had no the first 24 km of this road with the WHO Director General. As over 55 million individuals from 51 countries Pelmadulla is expected to be intention of developing the and that a local company is In his official twitter handle, the President said have successfully received the Sinopharm completed within two and a country and halted all overseeing the construction. that at the meeting, it transpired that approval vaccine, the President instructed officials to hold half years and is being development projects that “Highways are the most would be given for the emergency use of discussions with the health authorities of these overseen by the Road were underway. He added criticised projects in the Sinopharm COVID-19 within the next two to countries to assess the possibilities of the Development Authority, that the previous country,” stated the Premier. three days. expediting the administering of the Sinopharm added the Premier. Government also tried to However, he pointed out that He added that with the approval, Sri Lanka will vaccine in Sri Lanka. The Ruwanpura take their revenge following even these critics are now be able to start vaccinating the public with the While the second dose of AstraZeneca is Expressway is expected to their obtaining power. travelling comfortably on current stock of 600,000 Sinopharm COVID-19 currently being administered, President reduce traffic congestion, “We took back a country these highways. vaccine doses in hand. Rajapaksa added discussions are being held to reduce costs, save time, where national security and Prime Minister Rajapaksa Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa instructed obtain more doses of the COVISHIELD vaccine. facilitate access to tea, economy had come to a also noted the efforts of the officials to expedite the process of obtaining Rajapaksa made these statements at the apparel, minor export crop standstill,” claimed Minister of Highways COVID-19 vaccines and that of administering it to COVID-19 committee meeting held at the and gem markets and supply Rajapaksa.