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Ministry to issue health guidelines gazette this week

15 Jul 2020

  • Gazette likely to be issued by Friday 
  By Maheesha Mudugamuwa   The Health Ministry is finally preparing to gazette the Covid-19-related health guidelines issued for the parliamentary election under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act this week, The Morning learnt. According to a reliable source at the Ministry of Health, the gazette would most probably be issued by Friday (17).  The gazette would enable the authorities concerned to take the necessary legal action against those who violate the guidelines. Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) and the members of the Election Commission (EC) had informed the Government and the Health Ministry of the necessity to gazette the guidelines under the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act so as to ensure it is strictly followed by the public, especially political parties, politicians, and their supporters when campaigning for the election. Meanwhile, a decision on whether to monitor the election process is to be taken by the PHIs this week. Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe issued a set of guidelines a few weeks ago for the 5 August general election, but this has not been gazetted; in the absence of a gazette notification, public officials and law enforcement officers have no power to ensure that the said guidelines are followed and implemented. Speaking to The Morning, Dr. Jasinghe said the issuing of the gazette was not under his purview and that the decision should be taken by the Minister of Health. PHIs’ Union President Upul Rohana said they have urged the Government to gazette the election-related guidelines and to provide them with the necessary powers to take action against those who violate the same. In the meantime, former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya also requested the DGHS to issue a gazette notification, thereby giving legal effect to the health guidelines for the general election.


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