The curfew currently in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutura, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones in the wake of COVID – 19 will be in effect until further notice.

In all other districts, curfew which was lifted at 6.00am today (April 1^st) will be re-imposed at 2.00pm today itself. The re-imposed curfew will  continue until 6 am Monday(April 6th) and  will be re-imposed at 2.00 pm on the same day.

Traveling to and from all districts has been  completely prohibited except for the purpose of providing essential services.

Those who misuse regulations introduced with the prime objective of ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of essential services will  severely be dealt with according to the law.

The government has put in place a mechanism to continuously supply  essential food  and other goods enabling for the public to purchase them while at  homes.

Those who are engaged in paddy farming and cultivation of  small tea holdings  and export crops in any district are permitted to carry out their activities.

Since the sole purpose of these measures is to ensure the well-being of the people of this country in this critical situation, the Government requests the public to strictly adhere to the guidelines in a responsible manner.

The villages which have been declared isolated  areas in the districts of Kandy and Kalutara will remain in the same category  and no one will be allowed to enter or leave from these  areas until further notice.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urged the Director General of World Health Organization (WHO) to pursue with the international financial organizations and lending nations to help developing countries adversely affected by COVID- 19 calamity.

In a telephone conversation with WHO DG Tedros Adhanom, President Rajapaksa requested him to pursue with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund  (IMF), President of the World Bank (WB), President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and leaders of the leading bilateral lending nations to provide debt moratorium or debt re-profiling facilities for vulnerable developing countries like Sri Lanka whose economies  depend on tourism, exports, remittances and foreign investment in debt  and equity markets preventing affects by COVID – 19 pandemic.

The Sri Lanka Missions in South Asia, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, have been closely engaging with the Sri Lankan communities overseas and are working towards assisting and facilitating the many Sri Lankan expatriates in the region in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Mission wise, databases of Sri Lankan students and other expatriates are being compiled by the Missions with a view to keeping in close contact and ensuring their welfare at all times.

The Government of Sri Lanka with its recent announcement requesting all Sri Lankan expatriates to remain in their current locations until the risk of COVID-19 is minimized, has further assured that requests for return of Sri Lankans will be considered once the spread of the virus is contained in the country.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Missions in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kathmandu, Islamabad, Dhaka,  Kabul and Malé have established ‘hotlines’ and social media groups and have been networking with Sri Lankans overseas and community organizations and representatives assisting them to stay in their current locations in a safe environment, in compliance with local regulations and also to ensure that those Sri Lankans in different locations have access to food and other necessities.

Missions have also been coordinating and discussing with the respective authorities and have also intervened and sought clearances for visa extensions, as required. Certain Missions have also been liaising with local health authorities in preparing COVID-I9 awareness messages in Sinhala language for circulation of messages to the community via mobile devices. With forecasted lockdowns in certain stations, these Missions have taken necessary steps to set up sub-offices at the residences of Diplomatic Staff, to work from home and continue the services to the community.

To ensure that the large numbers of Sri Lankan students enrolled in universities in these countries have continued access to hostel, canteen and medical facilities, the Sri Lanka Missions have been liaising with the respective academic institutions and continue to maintain constant dialogue with student groups. The Missions have also been in discussion with University Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans and other educational institutions to facilitate students by rescheduling their vacations and exams. Discussions are also being held in ensuring the stipends reach the scholars uninterrupted.

From a regional perspective, in its efforts to combat COVID-19, SAARC leaders recently agreed on the establishment of the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund with voluntary contributions of the member countries, which includes Sri Lanka’s pledge of US$ 5 million.

Further, in strengthening Sri Lanka’s medical services and to ensure the uninterrupted supply of medicine and preparedness in view of the current public health emergency, the Foreign Ministry has already bilaterally sought the support and assistance from South Asian countries to assist in obtaining pharmaceutical items and medical equipment on a G-to-G purchasing scheme, considering the present emergency situation.

As an additional measure enabling the Government of Sri Lanka to reach out worldwide and provide assistance during emergencies such as the COVID19 outbreak, the Foreign Ministry has invited all Lankans overseas to register on the online web portal “Contact Sri Lanka” jointly created by the Foreign Ministry and Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA). The portal was launched last week by the Ministry.

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

31 March 2020

All the decisions with regard to imposition of curfew, selection of localities to implement curfew and declaration of isolated areas are being taken at the highest level of the Government following an in-depth analysis of data received.

If there is any information that suggests changes to ongoing curfew hours at any place, the same should be forwarded to the Presidential Task Force on prevention of COVID – 19.

The Government announces that no decision should be taken at the regional level which can cause disruption of civilian life.

The curfew in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutura, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna will continue until further notice.

In all other districts, curfew will be lifted at 6.00am tomorrow (30th Monday) and will be re-imposed at 2.00pm on the same day.

Traveling to and from all districts is completely prohibited except for the purpose of providing essential services.

Those who misuse regulations introduced with the aim of continuing essential services will severely be dealt with according to the law.

Since the sole purpose of these measures is to ensure the well-being of the people of this country in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, the Government requests the public to strictly follow the guidelines in a responsible manner.

The village Atalogama in the Kalutara district and the village Akurana in the Kandy district have been declared completely isolated areas. No one will be allowed to enter or leave from these two villages.

Diyawadana Nilameh with the advice of Malwathu and Ven . Asgiri thera donated Rs. 10 million to fight against COVID-19. The cheque was given to the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Sri Dalada Maligawa this morning.

(Source: wwww.sridaladamaligawa.lk)

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa paid homage to the Temple of the Scared Tooth Relic in Kandy today (28).

President was received by Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara at the venue.

Diyawadana Nilame donated Rs. 10 million to the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund.

President called on the Maha Nayaka of Malwatta Chapter Most. Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero and President briefed on the measures taken by the Government to mitigate the spread of COVID – 19 in the country.

Maha Nayaka Thero invoking his blessings made a donation of Rs. 5million to the Fund.

Later, President paid a visit to the Anu Nayaka of Malwatta Chapter Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero.

President explained the initiatives launched by the Government to prevent the spread of COVID – 19 to the Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Thero. The Prelate donated Rs. 5 million to COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund on behalf of the Chapter.

President extended his gratitude towards the donations.

A historic relief package has been announced by the government yesterday for the public in the backdrop of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Addressing the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Government Information Department, Co-Cabinet spokesman Dr Bandula Gunawardena said the Cabinet of ministers has approved President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s proposal to temporary suspend repayment of leasing facilities for three wheelers, school vans, buses, small trucks and etc. for six months with aim of providing them with financial relief until they return back to normal.

He said the Cabinet approval has also given to suspend repayment of personal loans of less than Rs.one million obtained by non-executive public and private sector employees for three months.

Gunawardena said the deduction of loan repayments from public and private sector non – executive employees was also suspended until May according to the cabinet approval.

Several other reliefs meaasures to protect the apparel and tourism industry would also be given in the future as both industries are badly affected from the COVID – 19 situation.

“US$ Five billion of the US$ 11 billion export income is earned from apparel exports, but the raw material importing countries such as China and supply countries such as USA are badly affected by COVID – 19. Therefore, the industry has to face a huge challenge to protect workers,” Gunawardena said.

Co – Cabinet spokesman Dr Ramesh Pathirana said the Government is grateful to the three forces and police for their valuable contribution. during this period. He said that the Government also increased the benefits of Agrahara Insurance of public servants.

Dr. Pathirana said that World Health Organisation (WHO) too appreciates Sri Lanka government’s initiative to tackle the COVID – 19 outbreak.

He said that Sri Lankan companies are starting to make face masks as well as ventilators and it should be appreciated.

A Special Task Force headed by former minister Basil Rajapaksa was also set up to help people by delivering essential items to their doorsteps, he added.