35 guests attending wedding reception contract Covid

75-year -old woman dies

By Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk   

At least 35 individuals who attended a wedding reception at Navimana in the Kekanadura MOH division in Matara had contracted the Coronavirus and a 75- year- old woman has died as a result.   

Kekanadura MOH Dr. Chandika Ranagala said a brother of a local politician had held the wedding reception regardless of the instructions not to do so. He said the bridegroom’s brother, a PS member, was among those infected.   

The deceased was a 75- year- old woman of S.K.Piyadassa Mawatha, Matara whose son was among those infected. Her body was cremated in the Matara public crematorium subject to the quarantine regulations.   
Dr. Ranagala said the infected including 31 men and three women were from six villages in his division and that the men were admitted to the Hambantota COVID- 19 treatment centre while the women were sent to the Kotawila Govt. Hospital.  

He said 150 members in 40 families in the area were quarantined and that they would be PCR- tested.   
Meanwhile Minister Dullas Allahapperuma met the relevant authorities at Peekwella Circuit Bangalow regarding the incident and decided to take legal action against the organisers of the wedding reception.   

However, Director of Health Services of Matara District Dr. Upali Karunaratne said steps had been taken to prevent any possible spread of the disease through contacts and that the need to shut down the area would not arise.   
HQI of the Matara Police Dhammika Amarasena said a police team  had been deployed to patrol the area round the clock.