President and Cabinet must take control of COVID situation; Ranil W.

COLOMBO (News 1st); If Sri Lanka does not take decisions based on the advice of medical professionals and the health authorities, the island nation will be in a crisis, warned Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (10).

"The COVID-19 situation in the country is worsening. There is a shortage of vaccines, oxygen, ventilators, and hospital beds," said the leader of Sri Lanka's oldest political party Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The UNP Leader quoted the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) to note that Sri Lanka could experience a spike in COVID-19 cases and more than 100 daily COVID-19 fatalities can be expected by June or July.

Ranil Wickremesinghe said the fight against COVID-19 is not political and is not aimed to protect the face of the government, but one to protect the lives of the people of the country.

"We are not calling for a government change. The Cabinet is the responsible body as per the constitution. The existing COVID-19 committee has failed and the warnings were ignored," said Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He said the President and the Cabinet of Minister must take control and discuss the matters with the opposition leaders in Parliament this week.

"If you don't act now many lives will be lost to COVID-19," warned Wickremesinghe.