Health sector trade unions have called on the Government to disclose the daily number of PCR tests being conducted in the country, warning of the risks posed by new Covid-19 variants reportedly spreading in parts of Asia.
According to union representatives, Sri Lanka is currently facing a shortage of essential PCR testing kits and related medical equipment, hampering testing efforts at the Medical Research Institute (MRI).
The Sunday Morning has reliably learnt that a procurement error has further delayed testing.
The MRI had reportedly ordered nearly 3,000 Viral Transport Media (VTM) – used to preserve and transport clinical samples like nasal and throat swabs for Covid-19 testing – without ordering the required swabs.
As these two components must be procured together for the kits to be usable, the testing process has been severely disrupted.
“This is a reckless waste of public funds and they are jeopardising public health,” Association of Health Professionals President Ravi Kumudesh told The Sunday Morning.
Compounding the issue, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, which played a major role in Covid-19 testing during the height of the pandemic, has now ceased its testing operations.
Kumudesh alleged that this was due to the Health Ministry’s failure to settle a pending Rs. 100 million payment for tests conducted previously. The university had been covering the cost of tests using its research funds but has since exhausted these resources.
Commenting on the situation, Ministry of Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe acknowledged the global rise in Covid-19 cases and the potential risk of new variants entering Sri Lanka, although he urged the public not to panic.
At a media conference held last week, Dr. Jasinghe announced plans to enhance PCR testing capabilities at the MRI, Kandy National Hospital, and Galle National Hospital, while confirming that a special meeting had been held with the Epidemiology Unit and other health divisions to prepare for possible future outbreaks.
He noted that sub-lineages NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 of the JN.1 Covid-19 variant were currently spreading in several Asian countries, including India, and had been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as variants under monitoring.
Dr. Jasinghe advised individuals with Covid-like symptoms – such as fever, cough, chills, or sore throat – to wear masks to help curb potential transmission.
When contacted by The Sunday Morning, officials at the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology Unit stated that they were unaware of whether these new variants had reached Sri Lanka.
A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that while Covid-19 cases had been reported sporadically in recent months, there had been no significant increase in patient numbers.
The official added that the MRI was likely to possess more specific data on variant presence in the country, while reiterating that Covid-19 had never been fully eliminated from Sri Lanka, having transitioned into an endemic disease.
Meanwhile, National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama stressed that the public should maintain good hygiene practices and wear face masks if experiencing symptoms, although he clarified that it was no longer mandatory.
“Right now, the primary health concerns are dengue and chikungunya, not Covid-19,” he said.
Despite these assurances, Kumudesh insisted that conducting PCR tests – particularly on deceased individuals – remained critical to accurately identify causes of death and to track the potential spread of Covid-19.
All attempts to contact MRI Director Dr. Prabath Amarasinghe were unsuccessful.
Attempts to contact Dr. Jasinghe and Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni were futile.