The Opposition says major concerns have arisen over national security.
Speaking during a media briefing today, Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna said the President as well as the Prime Minister who are responsible for the country’s security have left the island adding the State Minister of Defence is also currently receiving treatment for the coronavirus.
MP Rajakaruna questioned the government as to who is responsible for national security at present.
The Parliamentarian charged the government of violating recommendations of the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday attacks that the responsibility of the country’s national security and Ministry of Defence must be handed over to a suitable person whenever the country’s leaders leave the island.
He said the country must learn from its previous mistakes.
Commenting on the country’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, MP Rajakaruna said the number of PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests performed daily must also be revealed in order to confirm whether the number of COVID infections have actually decreased.
The Parliamentarian requested the government to not repeat its mistakes when dealing with the pandemic.
He said it is imperative to carry out PCR and Antigen tests in order to maximise the benefits of the quarantine curfew and to completely mitigate the pandemic.
The Parliamentarian said only 10,000-12,000 PCR tests had been conducted this week while 25,000 PCR tests were conducted in August.
He said the public is being told that daily cases have decreased by 50 percent adding however it’s the number of PCR tests which had come down by 50 percent.
MP Rajakaruna said it is evident that infection rate will reduce when the number of PCR tests is reduced and requested the government to increase the number of PCR tests to 25,000-30,000 in order to ascertain the actual situation.
