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O2 from India, Singapore from 19-22 Aug.

16 Aug 2021

BY Buddhika Samaraweera A stock of 480 tonnes of oxygen (O2), ordered from India and Singapore, is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in the next few days, according to the State Ministry of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals. Former Minister of Health and incumbent Minister of Transport Pavithra Wanniarachchi has recently stated that Sri Lanka has ordered more oxygen cylinders as the number of Covid-19-infected patients admitted to hospitals is on the rise. Accordingly, the Health Ministry has decided to import 100 tonnes of oxygen per week from India. When contacted by The Morning to inquire about the matter, Secretary to the State Ministry of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Dr. S.K. Ratnayake said that about 480 tonnes of oxygen has been ordered from India and Singapore so far. He added that most of the orders were from India as it was difficult to find a ship to bring oxygen from Singapore to Sri Lanka. When queried as to whether there is a definite date on which the said stocks of oxygen would arrive in the country, Dr. Ratnayake noted that the ordered stocks of oxygen are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on 19, 20, and 22 August. With the increase in the number of Covid-19 patients, hospitals and Covid-19 treatment centres across the island have reached their maximum capacity and the number of Covid-19 related deaths reported daily is also on the rise. Given the increase in the number of patients, the number of patients who are dependent on oxygen has also increased significantly, which has led to the importation of oxygen.


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