BY Dinitha Rathnayake and Buddhika SamaraweeraThe College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take steps to investigate the reason for a tender for 20 essential instruments, including Covid-19 testing equipment, being allegedly placed on hold. According to Kumudesh, the President, considering the requests made by various parties, had given instructions to allocate the necessary funds for the purchase of these equipment. In this context, he said that it is a serious question as to why the Health Ministry had so far failed to procure equipment for which a tender was called in June. “Hence, we request the Government to facilitate those going for employment in foreign countries with free rapid PCR testing facilities at Government institutions, and if not, to give us the responsibility to conduct them. Meanwhile, Kumudesh also alleged that the Health Ministry’s responsibilities with regard to Covid-19, including the strategy to control it, are not transparent.

Source: The Nation August 11, 2021 18:00 UTC