Channel practice: Sequence observed in the breach

This is what happened to my wife, who chaperoned by one of my sons, went for an ultrasound scan recently to a leading private hospital in Deshamanya H.K. Dharmadasa Mawatha, Colombo 2. This was one of the few scans and tests she had to undergo for the swelling on one of her feet. 

Her token number was one and she had to be present at 10 a.m. The lady Consultant Radiologist has arrived at 11 a.m. and has done the scanning for two other patients. Thereafter, she had taken a break for about 15 minutes (maybe she had gone to have her brunch or had gone to answer the call of nature). After the break, she had done a scan for the third patient. My wife had been the fourth patient to be examined although she should have been the first patient to undergo the scan. 

Is the staff accepting bribe similar to what takes place in State hospitals where bribing of attendants is a common practice to give priority to the bribe-giver? Or is it because the prescription was from another leading hospital in Elvitigala Mawatha, Narahenpita? I sincerely hope that HR or PR will carry out investigation with regard to the above after perusal of this letter and ensure that this malpractice is stopped immediately as this will otherwise create a bad image for the hospital.

Mohamed Zahran

Delay the 

General Elections

The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. We in Sri Lanka seem to be blind to what is really going on outside Sri Lanka. There is virtually a shut down on most ports. People are asked to stay home. 

I believe it is your role and responsibility during this time to prioritise two things: the health and well-being of our citizens while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials as they work to contain the virus. 

Through that lens, we need to make decisions with vigilance and courage informed by the latest science-based information. We are set to have a General Election in April. Politicians for power will only be interested in getting elected or drive home their advantages. By holding public meetings, many people will get infected. 

Our public health service is not the best. If it mutates during this time, we will have a massive crisis on our hands. Our people are not security and health conscious. You will have to deal with a pandemonium. You will have to face a bigger crisis than President Sirisena had with the Easter Sunday. 

If you must have the elections, impose strict conditions for its conduct. See how President Trump reacted to the crisis. That is the leadership we need from you. Not political victory over dead bodies.

Bert