brand logo

PCR lab at airport: Lab technicians want debate with Prasanna 

29 Mar 2021

  • Minister categorically denies allegations

   Following a back and forth debate on a PCR laboratory at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Sri Lanka Association of Government Medical Laboratory Technologists (SLAGMLT) has requested a discussion with Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga immediately to provide clarity and a response to the issue  President of the SLAGMLT Ravi Kumudesh said that Ranatunga made a number of “serious” and “untruthful” claims and counter-allegations about the Ministry of Health laboratory and the SLAGMLT allegations. Kumudesh made these comments responding to a statement released by Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday (28). SLAGMLT claimed earlier that there was a sinister plan to dismantle a state-of-the-art PCR laboratory at Bandaranaike International Airport in order to allow a foreign finance company to generate revenue by allowing them to build a new one.  “It is disgusting that the government and the Ministry of Health are allowing the demolition of a state-of-the-art laboratory which is under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, which can generate revenue for the country and provide credible test reports, just to allow several individuals and politicians to earn commissions.” Responding to this claim, Ranatunga in his statement said that the allegations made by a “health professionals’ organisation” is part of a false propaganda campaign being carried out by the opposition to discredit the government. “The PCR laboratory at the Katunayake Airport was set up when the airport was closed due to the Covid pandemic. During the closure of the airport, it took seven to eight hours to obtain the results of PCR tests of Sri Lankan repartees, and sometimes two to three days,” Ranatunga said in his statement. However, considering the ongoing public complaints regarding delays and the risks faced by airport employees and passengers, PCR testing of passengers are carried out at the respective quarantine hotels and are carried out by private hospitals while the returnees who opt for Government quarantine centres are tested at these locations. According to Ranatunga, at present, the PCR laboratory at the airport only tests random PCR samples taken from different parts of the island and does not carry out testing of repartees or even tourists. However, replying to this, Kumudesh said that PCR tests were taken away from the airport to enable private companies to increase profits. “Although the Minister sought to claim that the airport PCR laboratory tests were delayed and that the PCR tests were referred to the private sector due to complaints about the subsequent reduction in the number of test reports, the reality is that paid PCR tests are referred to the private sector to enable commissions and profiteering.”  He claimed that the PCR lab at BIA is capable of conducting up to 4,000 PCR tests a day.  “The PCR laboratory established at the BIA is capable of conducting 4,000 PCR tests per day. If more facilities could be provided to this laboratory, a PCR test report could be issued within one and a half hours,” he said. “This is the most advanced PCR testing laboratory in Sri Lanka today and it is unclear to us how the Minister developed so much confidence in a foreign entity to hand this over to it without even once observing that laboratory.” However, Ranatunga said that the plan to dismantle the PCR lab is still under discussion and a final decision has been taken yet. “This is still just a proposal. Usually, such proposals are routinely received by the airport and government agencies. It is not wrong to consider such a proposal if it is in the interests of the country and the people and does not violate government policies,” Ranatunga said in his statement.


More News..