The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has declined the invitation to receive the Covid-19 vaccine that was extended to all parliamentarians.
JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath addressing an event in Kurunegala said that their MPs will get the vaccines only after the entire public has been completely vaccinated.
"We are not prepared to come only when the vaccine is given to the 225 parliamentarians. First ensure that the public is vaccinated. We can come after that, " Herath said.
The JVP also questioned the preferential treatment meted out to parliamentarians over groups that come into constant contact with the public such as health workers, security forces and teachers who face a bigger threat of contracting Covid-19 than any parliamentarian.
Meanwhile, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who had publicly claimed that he wasn't afraid of the coronavirus and will not get vaccinated, was caught on camera by journalists leaving the military hospital after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Sri Lanka Parliament, Narendra Fernando said today (19) that MPs who are yet to be vaccinated will get another opportunity to do so from February 23rd - 25th.
The first inoculation drive of parliamentarians took place at the Army Hospital in Colombo from February 16th-19th.
