In a bid to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19 the government has decided to temporarily halt issuing police permits to organise large gathering including election rallies in the next few days, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi told the media yesterday conference in Colombo.
“In South Korea and Italy, the spread of COVID-19 has gone up due to large gatherings. Therefore we request all Sri Lankans to avoid of organising and participating in mass gatherings” Minister Wanniarachchi said.
Minister also requested all Sri Lankans who are returning from foreign countries to cooperate with Government officers. “Irrespective of their country of origin, we request everybody to follow a self-quarantine period of 14 days. That is the easiest way of defeating the COVID -19” she added. Meanwhile, Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bandula Harishchandra told media yesterday that, all 187 movie theatres of the country will be temporarily closed down while other convention centres such as Nelum Pokuna and BMICH will also be thoroughly monitored.
In addition to that Dehiwala National Zoo, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala Zoo and Ridiyagama Safari Park under the Department of National Zoological Gardens will be closed for two weeks from tomorrow.
Former Opposition Leader and Leader of Samagi Jana Balavegaya Sajith Premadasa also requested the trade union leaders to refrain from having mass gatherings like protests and demonstrations until the crisis situation surpasses.