UNP leader Ranil Wickramesinghe says that this is not a political struggle to save the name of the government but a struggle to save the lives of the people.
He said this while making a special statement on the internet regarding the current expansion of Covid 19 in the country.
He further said,
Today we are facing a severe case of Covid 19 disease. People’s health care is collapsing. The Covid 19 disaster is now spreading across Sri Lanka. There is a shortage of vaccines. There is a lack of oxygen. There is a shortage of ventilators. There is a shortage of beds in hospitals. Hospitals are full. Day by day this Covid disease is increasing.
Now we are at a turning point. If we do not make decisions now according to our medical advice and health advice, we will get into trouble.
According to the latest report released by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, our country can reach the peak of the rapid growth of patients. Also, more than a hundred deaths a day can occur by June or July. Therefore, at this crucial juncture, we must all work together.
This is not a fight to save the name of the government. Also, this is not a political battle. In fact, this is a fight to save the lives of the people. We are not asking for a change of government. According to the constitution of this country, the responsibility of the country lies with the Cabinet.
The President, the Cabinet Ministers and the Cabinet should take full powers to protect our people from this epidemic. The committees under the Kovid administration have failed. None of what was said about the seriousness of this has been implemented since then. People have lost faith. We ask the Cabinet to give these powers. The President and the Cabinet should immediately assume these powers. Talk to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament this week. Get their support and feedback. They too need that support. Act quickly.
Many lives could be lost if not acted upon now. If there is sympathy for the people of the country, the Cabinet should take this responsibility. There are people out there with experience. I make a special request to act accordingly.