• Immediate action in closing all schools would save many lives and save our resources rather than waiting till it is too late to take such action

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians yesterday requested the authorities to close all schools in the island temporarily with immediate effect for at least a period of two weeks initially considering the current scenario and trend of the escalation in the spread of COVID-19. 

Prof. Vasantha Devasiri, President of the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians said it is time to ban all gatherings, as far as possible as a step to curtail the alarming spread of COVID, before it develops into uncontrollable proportions.  

“Schooling is one of the regular events of a large gathering and our children consists of one fourths of the country’s total population. Keeping them at home for a while is likely to have a significant impact on containing the spread of the disease,” Dr. Devasiri underlined.  

“In fact, it may have an effect similar to locking down many cities such school closures would also have only a minimal impact on the economy. It will be a prudent step among many other measures which the government could take to control the spread of the disease,” he added. 

 
The President also said that he firmly believed that immediate action in closing all schools would save many lives and save our resources rather than waiting till it is too late to take such action.