COVID patients left with ripped beds in Vavuniya isolation centre

^{Isolation bed}

Patients at the Vavuniya isolation centre have complained of inadequate facilities used for the treatment of quarantined individuals. 

Those isolated at the Vavuniya Economic and Commerical centre which has been converted into an isolation centre said there were no hygienic beds and no facilities to care for the elderly. It has been alleged that mattresses and pillows provided to those admitted have caused allergic reactions. Patients seeking treatment at the site have demanded that proper facilities be made available to the elderly if they are taken to isolation centres and if that is not possible they should be allowed to isolate at home. 

In recent months Sri Lanka has been grappling with a surge in cases, with some commentators noting that the Sri Lankan governments public health data of reported cases were being manipulated by a high-ranking Sri Lankan Army Officer to underplay the impact of the pandemic. Sri Lanka's militarised response to COVID has been widely criticised as a ploy to normalise the military occupation. The vaccine rollout across the country has been spearheaded by military officials with limited involvement of public health officials. Human rights organisations have voiced concern over Sri Lanka's militarised response to the coronavirus pandemic, that state forces have used the virus as a guise to target, harass and surveil Tamil communities. 

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