Stringent action against failure to wear face masks - Police 

218 cases detected in Colombo and 147 cases in Kurunegala

• Total of 5,159 PCR tests had been conducted in the country on Saturday

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

The COVID-19 cases in the Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha in the Western Province and the Kurunegala District continue to increase during the weekend, According to the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19. 

A total of 895 COVID-19 cases were reported in the country on Saturday out of which nearly 500 cases were reported from the Western Province. 

Accordingly, 218 cases were identified in the Colombo District while 147 cases were identified in the Kalutara District and 129 cases in the Gampaha District. 

The majority of cases reported in the Colombo District were from Piliyandala. Accordingly, 71 cases have been reported from Piliyandala, 30 from Talangama, 19 from Colombo Fort and 18 from Kottawa. 
Among the highest cases identified in Kalutara District were, 91 cases from Beruwala and 32 from Kalutara. Ten Covid-19 cases were also reported in the Kalutara Prison. 

Covid cases in the Divulapitiya area in the Gampaha District also continued to rise as 48 patients were identified on Saturday as well. In addition, 17 cases were reported in Ragama. 

A total of 147 cases were reported in the Kurunegala District and among them 95 cases were reported in Wellawa and 20 cases in Kuliyapitiya. 

In addition, 49 COVID-19 cases were identified from Puttalam, 22 from Matale, 20 from Jaffna, 18 cases each from Kandy, Moneragala and Hambantota, 16 from Ampara, 14 from Kegalle, 10 from Galle, nine each from Trincomalee and Ratnapura, seven from Anuradhapura, 11 from Badulla, eight from Mullaitivu, four from Nuwara Eliya, one each from Polonnaruwa and Mannar and 15 persons who arrived in the country from abroad reported as COVID-19 infected on Saturday. 

The total COVID-19 cases reported so far in Sri Lanka surpassed 100,000 mark on Saturday with 895 more individuals testing positive for the virus. 

Accordingly, Sri Lanka currently in the 89 place in the world which has surfaced the 100,000 Covid cases. 
Meanwhile, a total of 5,159 PCR tests had been conducted in the country on Saturday. Accordingly, the number of total PCR tests conducted in the country since October 4, 2020, up to date is 2,173,245. 

Meanwhile, the police said that law will be strictly enforced against those who do not wear face masks and fail to follow health practices. 

The police have arrested 19 persons on Saturday for not wearing face masks and thereby violating quarantine laws.  Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said a majority of the violators have been arrested from the Kiribathgoda and Piliyandala areas. 

Accordingly, 3,470 persons who did not follow such health practices have been arrested since October 31, 2020. 
He said face masks should be worn when leaving the house and that those who use public transport should pay close attention to this. 

Meanwhile, DIG Rohana said no ceremonies or events can be hosted without the approval of health authorities. 

• The total COVID-19 cases reported so far in Sri Lanka surpassed 100,000 mark on Saturday