The Government Medical Laboratory Professionals Association says reasons cited by the Commander of the Army and the Minister of Health pertaining to the inability to increase COVID-19 testing capacities, are contradictory.
President of the Association Ravi Kumudesh speaking at a media briefing said Sri Lanka has provisions in place to conduct 100,000 PCR tests daily.
He said the Army Commander is of the view that PCR testing is carried out by Public Health Inspectors and other groups, adding that all testing is carried out at laboratories.
Kumudesh said samples are obtained in the field by others while testing takes place at labs.
He noted that 200 individuals are geared across the island to obtain samples and carry out testing.
He charged that the Health Minister is of the view there are limitations in testing at laboratories.
Kumudesh stated that more than 1,000 PCR samples can be tested during an eight hour period, adding that the government set up 27 laboratories for this purpose at state expense.
