President Ranil Wickremesinghe has designated a Ministerial Committee and a Specialist Committee tasked with managing and controlling the transmission of Covid-19 and dengue infections.
The Ministerial Committee is presided over by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena while State Minister Dr. Seetha Arambepola chairs the Specialist Committee.
The two committees were formed in accordance with the Cabinet decision taken on June 22, 2023, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
The Ministerial Committee comprises 8 members, including both Cabinet and State Ministers. Their primary responsibility is to implement urgent measures aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19 and dengue nationwide.
Simultaneously, President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, acting upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s instructions, has appointed a Specialist Committee consisting of 11 members who possess extensive knowledge on the matter. This committee will provide invaluable expertise and guidance in the fight against Covid-19 and dengue.
To support the Ministerial Committee in its objectives, the following experts and officials in the relevant fields have been appointed as members of the Specialist Committee:
Dr. Seetha Arambepola – State Minister of Health
S. Janaka Sri Chandraguptha – Secretary, Ministry of Health
M. Kodippiliarachchi – Additional Secretary (Local Government & Provincial Councils)
Dr. Asela Gunawardena – Director General of Health Services
Dr. S. M. Arnold – Deputy Director General (Public Health Services – I)
Dr. Samitha Ginige – Director, Epidemiology Unit
Dr. Nalin Ariyarathne – Director, National Dengue Control Unit
Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama – Senior Consultant Physician
Dr. Lakkumar Fernando – Pediatrician
Prof. Neelika Malavige – Professor, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine
Dr. Upul Dissanayake – Consultant Physician
In addition, Buddhika S. Gamage, the Senior Assistant Secretary to the President has been appointed as the convenor of the Specialist Committee.
To facilitate the work of the Specialist Committee, 09 Provincial Sub-Committees have been established. These sub-Committees will be chaired by the Chief Secretary of the respective province and will include representatives from various key sectors such as education, fisheries, health, Local Government, and the Tri Forces. The involvement of these sub-committees aims to enhance collaboration and coordination at the provincial level in the fight against Covid-19 and dengue.
Dr. Arambepola and the newly appointed Committee members are expected to contribute their expertise and knowledge to develop effective strategies and policies to control the spread of these diseases and safeguard public health in the country.
Meanwhile, the Ministerial Committee responsible for addressing the spread of Covid-19 and dengue convened at the parliament today, chaired by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena (June 09).
During the meeting, representatives from the Dengue Control Unit too were present. While acknowledging the effective functioning of the healthcare system in the country, the urgent need to implement an educational program at the provincial level was emphasized.
Furthermore, it was decided that the Specialist Committee would convene on Tuesday (June 13). The Provincial Chief Secretaries will be invited to attend this meeting, and the formulation of a dengue control action plan at the provincial level will be a key agenda item.
