Leader of the United National Party former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says the lack of timely action pertaining to the coronavirus has led to the present concerning situation.
The UNP leader speaking in Parliament today said the Delta virus variant is rapidly spreading across the world, adding that steps must be taken to contain the virus.
Wickremesinghe said Israel and the United Kingdom conducted a survey that determined the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine provides 60-65% protection from the Delta variant while the Pfizer vaccine builds lesser immunity.
The Former Premier said while it remains unclear how the virus is spreading, the country as a whole can face the present situation successfully with necessary steps.
He urged the government to refrain from going through procurement methods to obtain vaccines and oxygen, adding that the government can take emergency action, as done previously on numerous occasions, that the House can approve later.
The UNP leader claimed images of patients lying in hospital gardens is a sorry state of affairs.
He encouraged the Prime Minister to issue directives to set up Army Field Hospitals in order to treat patients.
The Former Premier said huts can be set up by Army and Engineering Corps within a short time if orders are issued.
Ranil Wickremesinghe said this can be done within hospital premises and not in separate locations in order to accommodate the influx of patents.
He called on the Cabinet of Ministers to take responsibility as the present situation is a national issue and not related to politics.
