State Minister Piyal Nishantha tests positive for Covid-19

• He was among the MPs who earlier consumed ‘Dhammika Paniya’
• Piyal Nishantha was seen at the event held to declare  open Southeast Asia’s largest tyre manufacturing facility in Horana
• Becomes 4th MP to contract Covid
• Wife and child also test positive

By Yohan Perera, Sheain Fernandopulle and Ajith Siriwardane  

Women and Child Development State Minister Piyal Nishantha has tested positive for Covid-19, according to a Facebook post by him.   In his post, the State Minister said he had been infected with the virus and added he would follow the instructions provided by the health authorities in the future.   

“I also request those who came into contact with me during the last few days to take necessary steps and precaution as per the health officials,” he said in the post.  

Piyal Nishantha was also seen at the event held on January 14 to declare open Southeast Asia’s largest tyre manufacturing facility at Wagawatta in Horana, where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and several Ministers and State ministers were present.  

Ministers Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ramesh Pathirana, Mahinda Amaraweera, Wimal Weerawansa, State Minister Kanaka Herath and Defence Secretary General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne were among the participants on the occasion. Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament Narendra Fernando said the State Minister had not come to Parliament during the last sitting week. “Therefore, he has not been infected by anyone in the House,” he said.   
Meanwhile two MPs and 62 staff members were subjected to PCR testing in the Parliament premises yesterday according to the parliamentary media unit. 

• The State Minister had not come to Parliament during the last sitting week