13 August 2021 02:46 pm Views - 10433
Following a meeting held between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the President said he was not ready to impose an islandwide lockdown but opted for tougher travel restrictions, informed sources said.
President Rajapaksa, at the meeting, had also urged the task force to go ahead in full speed with the vaccination program and finish inoculating the targeted population as soon as possible.
The meeting held with the President today was attended by Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Lalith Weeratunga, State Minister Channa Jayasumana and DG Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena.
Army Commander General Shavendra Silva will make a statement shortly.
State Minister Channa Jayasumana, following the meeting with the President said that while a decision was taken not to impose a lockdown, the discussion also focused on controlling the prevailing situation.
The Daily Mirror today exclusively reported that at the meeting, a decision maybe taken to impose tougher travel restrictions ahead of the weekend. The report also mentioned that a lockdown may not be imposed as no formal request had still been handed over by health experts.
Several websites also resorted to spreading false news over the week, saying a countrywide lockdown was imminent and these messages soon caught fire on social media, leading to panic among the general public. (JAMILA HUSAIN)