I am compelled to write this message because a certain media outlet gave out inaccurate information regarding my demised brother-in-law Mario Hemal Silva, the 4th covid-19 victim.
A news presenter by the name of NIMESHA SILVA gave out inaccurate information regarding my demised brother in law.
Eventhough they corrected it in the 9:30pm news bulletin after our protest, they never admitted no apology had been made or referred to the inaccurate news bulletin already aired with inaccurate information.
Since the damage is already done by the news bulletin, we decided to correct it by sharing this mesage with everyone.
What actually happened is that my demised brother-in-law and his wife arrived on the 10th of March 2020 from India to Sri Lanka. By the 15th his wife was coughing heavily. So they themselves went on 16th March to Nawaloka at Mount Lavinia and informed them that they have arrived from India and wanted to do the covid-19 test, because they were scared about their health and wanted medical intervention immediately.
Then the Nawaloka hospital have directed them to IDH. All of this happened on the 16th of March. Since then they both were at the IDH hospital.
Luckily his wife recovered and came home on the 31st
. But unfortunately my brother-in-law didn’t make it as he has diabetes. He is not an acute diabetic patient but he takes medication for diabetes. So he was at the hospital since the 16th of March until the 2nd of April. That is 17days after which he passed away
.
It is so sad to read some of the comments in certain social media sites
. I don’t blame anyone. Maybe because they don’t have all the information they are guessing and coming to various conclusions.
But still, it is really hurtful to read some of the comments.
As He was my brother- in-law, I am stating the above with confidence.
If anyone want to clarify what I am saying is the truth, please contact the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church and St. Joseph Church Rathmalana as he is actively involved with the church. So most of the people in Mount Lavinia knows him or have heard about him. Also can check with the MOH ( Medical Officer Health)of Mount Lavinia too to verify my statement as everyone who had contact with him as well as the place where he was employed was quarantined for over two weeks.
In addition I want to mention that at the time they arrived in Sri Lanka there was no requirement by the Government for people who arrive from India to get quarantined. The requirement came into affect only recently. Moreover I want to mention that to date there isn’t a single person who have been infected by him.
I feel sad that some people are cursing him and saying that he has ruined the country by infecting others. Also some are saying that he would have died only because he must have gone to the hospital when it was too late to save him as he was seriously ill.
Please don’t confuse the 4th covid-19 death with others as he has not infected anyone or hide himself until he became seriously ill.
For everyone’s knowledge let me tell you that he drove his wife and himself to the IDH hospital in his own vehicle on the 16th of March.
People must be confused as to how he contracted this virus, cause we too are puzzled. So let me give you some information and let you be the one to decide how, where and when he would have contracted this virus.
He went with a group of people on a pilgrimage to India and spent several days with the same people. But none of the them are infected with this virus
. So it is puzzling as to where he got it from
. We are suspecting that he would have got it at the airport as he had got exposed to some people who arrived from a certain country where the virus is widespread(I don’t want to mention the name of the country as I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings).
What I have stated above is the absolute truth. If people want to believe or not is upto them. But as a person who is related to him knows the truth and if I keep quiet, that too is a grave sin for me. SO I HAD MY SAY AND I AM AT PEACE.
Let me finally say that my demised brother-in-law followed the instructions precisely what the government wanted a person to do incase they suspect that they are infected with covid-19.
STILL MY BROTHER-IN-LAW HE DIED. Eventhough my brother in law passed away even after following the instructions, I STILL SAY THAT WE MUST LISTEN TO OUR GOVERNMENT AND OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. Cause if this virus spreads our medical teams will be overwhelmed with patients and they wouldn’t be able to give us the AMAZING CARE THAT THEY ARE PROVIDING RIGHT NOW to our infected patients.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND HELP OUR GOVERNMENT AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TO FIGHT THIS DEADLY VIRUS.
Written by:
Achala Basnayake
Brother in law of 4th Covid Victim
