By K.D.Devapriya   

Kataragama town and three villages in the Kataragama Division were shut down yesterday. 

This decision was taken by the health authorities and the security forces who met at the Divisional Secretariat to consider the increasing rate of corona positive cases reported from the area. Vallimathagama, Depot Road area, Kandapara and Detagamuwa area that includes the Kataragama Town were shut down.   

Administrative PHI in Kataragama- Saman Disanayaka said 80 patients had been identified after the commencement of the Kataragama Esala festival on July 10 and that ten of them were associated with the duties in the Perahera. He said another 36 patients were identified from the villages by last July 19. MOH Dr. Mrs. I.S.Devanarayana said the spread of the pandemic in Kataragama had been brought under control but the people including those of the dancing groups from Colombo and Maharagama had created a 
new cluster.  

• The MOH said the four areas mentioned would be closed for 14 days
• This decision was taken by the health authorities and the security forces who met at the Divisional Secretariat