A contribution of Rs. 66 million was made to the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund within two days.

The latest donations had increased the balance of the Fund to Rs. 380 million.

Minister Dullas Alahapperuma donated his Cabinet Minister’s salary for the month of April and Minister Gamini Lokuge donated Rs. 10 million. These donations were received by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (6).

The balance of the Fund had gone up with the contributions of Rs. 25 million by the National Lotteries Board, Rs. 2.5 million each by National Savings Bank and the Engineers’ Association of Ceylon Electricity Board, Rs. 2 million by Land Reforms Commission, Rs. 10 million by Maliban Biscuit Manufactories Ltd., Rs. 1 million by Matara Bodhi Arakshaka Sabhawa and Rs. 5 million by Nature’s Beauty Creations.

All the donations will be credited to the special account opened under the number   85737373 at the Corporate Branch of the Bank of Ceylon. Local as well as foreign donors have made their contributions to the Fund. Donations to COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund have been exempted from taxes and foreign exchange regulations. Deposits can be made through cheques or telegraphic transfers.

Further details can be obtained from Mr. K.B. Egodawele, Director General (Administration) of the Presidential Secretariat through the telephone number 0112354354.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed matters relating to the prevailing situation in the wake of COVID – 19 spread  with the representatives of Samagi Jana Balawegaya at the Presidential Secretariat today (06).

President Rajapaksa elaborated on the measures already taken by the Government to prevent the spread of the lethal virus and the future actions in this regard.

The responsible manner which the Government acted following the declaration by the World Health Organization about the pandemic was explained by the President. The Government was able to take several swift actions to safeguard the citizens of this country, President said.

Every step to ensure uninterrupted day –to-day civilian life was taken. These timely measures were instrumental in controlling the spread. Actions were taken under the guidance of experts in collaboration with the health sector and security forces. Pre-testing with the assistance of medical consultants to identify the infected and those associated with them will continue. This will be helpful for the early detection of the affected, President added.

The quarantine process continues at 40 centers. Programmes have been initiated with the assistance of Public Health Officers (PHIs) to mitigate the spread of COVID- 19 in areas where the infected have been identified. President lauded the service of the PHIs in detection and observations processes.

The representatives of Samagi Jana Balawegaya expressed their satisfaction over the measures taken by the Government so far. Both parties agreed that this should continue without political or any other differences.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that if there are any shortcomings in the government programs, immediate action will be taken to rectify them.

President Rajapaksa and the leader of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sajith Premadasa requested the employers to attend to the needs of their employees who are engaged in various daily wage based industries including construction sector as they can get stranded and have not been able to return to their homes.

A stock of essential medicine required for daily healthcare services including medicine for non-communicable diseases is to arrive in the island from India tomorrow (07) upon the request by the government.

The President explained that after taking the current global economic and social crisis into account, plans are already underway to implement an appropriate economic model suitable to Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa highlighted that the experts have been consulted to uplift the apparel and tourism industries which have suffered a setback and the government will take action under their instructions when the opportunity permits.

In addition to Samurdhi beneficiaries, 700,000 senior citizens, disabled persons and Kidney patients have been granted an allowance of Rs. 5,000 without any discrimination. Chief of the Presidential Task Force, Basil Rajapaksa stated that if any individual had not received their allowance yet, he/she is entitled to make an appeal with their respective Grama Niladhari Officer.

Government and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya paid their attention to future plans in number fields including healthcare.

Ministers Dinesh Gunawardena, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Wimal Weerawansa, Dullas Alahapperuma, Bandula Gunawardana and Johnston Fernando represented the government while Samagi Jana Balawegaya was represented by its leader Sajith Premadasa and General Secretary, Ranjith Maddumabandara. Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasundara and several others were present as well.

The Cabinet of Ministers has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to convince global leaders to convene a conference similar to Bretton Woods Conference to overcome post COVID-19 global economic crisis.

Briefing on this week’s cabinet decisions, Co-cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardene said Sri Lanka had been able to take preventive measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic even before most of the countries in the world with the assistance of health sector workers, Tri Forces, police and other relevant authorities, under the far-sighted leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“As informed by the health sector authorities, the period of next two weeks has been identified as a high risk period. COVID-19 is the biggest menace that the whole world had to undergo since World War II. So none of the countries in the world can face the post COVID-19 crisis alone,” he added.

Considering this the Cabinet of Ministers proposed the President to urge global leaders to convene a conference similar to the Bretton Woods,” Dr. Gunawardene noted.

The Bretton Woods Conference was a gathering of leaders and financial experts from all nations to regulate the international monetary and financial order after the conclusion of World War II.

The Presidential Secretariat had received information about several instances of fraudsters collecting money using COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund as cover.

The Secretary to the President requests the public to make their contributions to the Fund only through direct bank deposits, cheques or any other approved mean and not to donate money to any organizations or individuals.

The Government advises the entire population to observe “health quarantine”. The provision of their daily needs of food, medicine and other essentials services is being carried out according to the regulations and guidelines of health authorities and the Elections Commission.

The Secretary appeals to the public to inform such misdeeds to the nearest Police station. In this regard further information can be obtained from Mr. K. B. Egodawele, Director General (Administration) through 011 2354479/ 0112 354354.

With direct contributions from the public, the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund reached Rs. 314.5 million mark today (April 02^nd).

The Fund’s balance increased with the contributions of Rs. 10 million each by the Telecom Engineers Benevolent Fund and the Ceylon Electricity Board Independent Engineers Association and Rs.50 million by the Cargills (Ceylon) PLC.

A special account had been opened at the Corporate Branch of the Bank of Ceylon under the account number of 85737373. Local as well as foreign donors have made their contributions to the Fund. Donations to COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund have been exempted from taxes and foreign exchange regulations. Deposits can be made through cheques or telegraphic transfers.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held a discussion with the Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and other senior officials to assess the emerging macro-economic conditions due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. The steps taken by the CBSL to manage the operations of the Bank to provide liquidity and access to finance were also discussed during this meeting.

The President also enquired into the issues connected with the management of Foreign Exchange Budget and external reserves. He urged the CBSL officials to maximum confidence building measures are taken for the investors in the Sri Lanka Sovereign Bonds.

President Rajapaksa instructed that the CBSL should ensure that all the banks are kept open. The Bank officials were also instructed to workout post-COVID- 19 economic strategies.

Secretary to the Treasury, the CBSL Governor and its three Deputy Governors, Assistant Governor in charge of Bank Supervision and Director of Information Technology participated at the discussion.