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MPs testing Covid-positive: Parliament CCTV under intense scrutiny

12 Jan 2021

  • 24 associates of Dayasiri and Hakeem identified

  By Hiranyada Dewasiri and Ruwan Laknath Jayakody   Footage obtained from various CCTV cameras set up in Parliament is currently being scrutinised after State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Opposition parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem, and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara tested positive for Covid-19. Speaking to The Morning, Parliament Director of Communications Shan Wijetunge said that a total of 24 MPs who were since identified as associates of Jayasekara and Hakeem had been informed to undergo PCR tests and self-quarantine. However, he added that with news reaching them yesterday (11) that Nanayakkara had also tested positive for Covid-19, the aforementioned scrutiny of the CCTV footage had been started. “Nanayakkara was there in Parliament the entirety of last week and attended on all four days (5-8 January). Once we identify those who interacted with him, we will call and inform them to get a PCR test done and undergo self-quarantine.” Parliament is set to reconvene for its next session tomorrow (13) and then on 19 January. Presided over by the Speaker of the Parliament, the Committee on Parliamentary Business will meet in order to decide on the subjects for the day. Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando, speaking to The Morning, noted that ascertaining as to where the MPs contracted Covid-19 from is up to the health authorities. He added that they are organising PCR tests for the approximately 1,000 strong staff (for some mandatory and others voluntary) as well as the MPs (on a voluntary basis) tomorrow and on 15 January. This testing will be carried out through the mobile unit of the Ministry of Health, which can do 100 PCR tests per day. “We will identify some of the staff and it will be mandatory for them to undergo these tests because we have found that one MP has gone inside offices and various other places. We are tracing where Nanayakkara visited inside the Parliament. Right now, we are not able to say how many of them are first contacts. It will take time. Our duty is to trace the contacts and inform them. MP Gayantha Karunatilleka, who was a first contact, went for a PCR and his report came back negative.” However, he said that the Parliament is functioning as usual and that there is no problem in day-to-day-matters. “It will function as normal. There won’t be delays when it comes to parliamentary procedures. Those who have been identified have been sent for home quarantine, and PCR tests will be conducted on them on 14 January, where they will be treated is up to the health authorities.” Meanwhile, Wijetunge added that the two-day disinfection of the entirety of the Parliament had been concluded yesterday, adding that the maintenance of social distancing was being strictly enforced and adhered to by parliamentary staffers who were also following the related health guidelines.

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