Jump to content

COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
DiseaseCOVID-19
Virus strainSARS-CoV-2
LocationSri Lanka
First outbreakWuhan, Hubei, China
Index caseColombo
Date27 January 2020 – ongoing
(4 years, 5 months and 6 days)
Confirmed cases671,776[1]
Recovered654,919[1]
Deaths
16,814[2]
Fatality rate2.5%
Government website
epid.gov.lk
https://hpb.health.gov.lk/

The COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka is part of the ongoing worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. The first case of the virus in Sri Lanka was confirmed on 27 January 2020, after a 44-year-old Chinese woman from Hubei, China, was admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Angoda, Sri Lanka.[3] As of 15 December 2022, a total of 671,776 COVID-19 cases had been recorded in the country, 654,919 patients had recovered from the disease, and 16,814 patients had died.[1][2][4]

The first reported case involving a Sri Lankan outside the country was reported in Italy on 3 March 2020. As of 23 March 2020, forty-five quarantine centres had been built in the country by the Sri Lanka Army as a preventative measure in an attempt to stop the spread of the pandemic.[5] Nearly 3,500 people were placed under quarantine in 45 quarantine centres, including 31 foreigners from 14 countries.[6] As of 25 March 2020, Sri Lankan authorities tracked down over 14,000 people who had come into contact with identified patients, and ordered those people to self-quarantine.[7] As of 16 April 2020, Sri Lanka was named the 16th highest-risk country for contracting the virus.[8] In April 2020, Sri Lanka's response to the pandemic was ranked as the 9th best in the world.[9]

Although Sri Lanka was successful in handling the first wave of the pandemic, the government's failure to handle the second and the third waves of the pandemic caused a spike in COVID-19 deaths after November 2020. There was a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases after the relaxation of health restrictions during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April 2021. The highly contagious Delta variant was responsible for the considerably high fatality rate in the country in August 2021, when Sri Lanka became the country with the fourth-largest number of daily deaths in the world by population, behind just Georgia, Tunisia, and Malaysia.[10] Government negligence in implementing a lockdown, negligent behaviour of the general public, and teachers' protests have all contributed to the record spike of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country.[11]

On 20 August 2021, government imposed a ten-day lockdown island-wide to curb the spread of COVID-19 cases.[12][13] The decision to lockdown the country came following the immense pressure from the health authorities and the political parties who demanded complete lockdown after Sri Lanka surpassed 1,000 deaths over the course of eight days.[14][15][16] It is believed that the COVID-19 cases in the country are underreported by the officials and allegations regarding the manipulation of details regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in the country were also raised.[17][18]

Some businesses imposed a voluntary lockdown for a period of 10 to 14 days during the early parts of August when the government refused to impose a lockdown due to the worsening situation of the economy.[19] The Central Bank of Sri Lanka raised interest rates in August 2021, and Sri Lanka became the first nation in Asia to tighten the monetary policy during the pandemic era.[20][21] On 27 August 2021, the government extended the lockdown to 6 September 2021 as the daily death toll surpassed 200 for the first time since the pandemic began.[22][23]


COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka  (
)
     Deaths        Recoveries        Active cases
20202021
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOct
Last 15 days
Date
# of cases
# of deaths
⋮
2021-10-02
518,775(n.a.) 12,964(n.a.)
2021-10-03
519,630(+0.16%) 13,019(+0.42%)
2021-10-04
520,432(+0.15%) 13,059(+0.31%)
Sources:

Notes:

Background

On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. This illness had been reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.[24][25]

While the case fatality ratio for COVID-19[26][27] was much lower than the SARS outbreak in 2003, its transmission rate of the virus was significantly greater with a significant total death toll.[28][26] Quarantine law in Sri Lanka is governed by the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance No 3 of 1897.[29]

Timeline

First wave (until October 2020)

27 January – 9 March 2020

Prior to 27 January, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health instructed staff at Bandaranaike International Airport to screen passengers for symptoms. Additionally, the ministry issued a recommendation that infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people who have chronic diseases should avoid visiting crowded places when possible.[30] The Ministry of Health set up a 22-member National Action Committee to help limit the spread of the virus.[31] The Department of Immigration and Emigration informed all construction sites with Chinese resident visa holders to restrict their Chinese employees to their respective workplaces and lodgings.[32]

On 27 January, the first confirmed case of the virus was reported in Sri Lanka, a 44-year-old Chinese woman from Hubei Province in China.[3] She had arrived as a tourist with another group of travellers and had been screened at the Bandaranaike International Airport after having a high fever. She fully recovered and was released from the hospital on 19 February.[33]

Following the first reported case of COVID-19, demand for face masks in the country increased and the country began to face a mask shortage.[34] Some pharmacies in the country had sold all their face masks and there were reports from customers that face masks were being sold at over 10 to 20 times the original price;[34] as a result, the country's drug regulatory agency placed price controls on face masks.[34][needs update] 33 Sri Lankan students and families were evacuated from Wuhan on 1 February and quarantined at a military facility at Diyatalawa.[35] They were released after two weeks on 14 February.[36]

During first week of March, visitors from Italy, Iran, and South Korea have been required to quarantine for two weeks at one of two facilities. On 10 March 186 people (164 Sri Lankan nationals, 20 Italian nationals, and 2 South Korean nationals) were placed under quarantine in Batticaloa.[37]

10–23 March 2020

On 10 March, the first case of COVID-19 in a Sri Lankan citizen, a 52-year-old tour guide working with a group of Italians, was reported.[38] After testing positive, he was brought to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) in Angoda for treatment.[39] 29 patients received treatment in government hospitals, including eight foreigners.[40] Sri Lanka suspended all on-arrival visas for tourists on 11 March.[41][42]

On 12 March, another Sri Lankan citizen tested positive for COVID-19,[43] a 44-year-old person, who had reportedly stayed with the first Sri Lankan patient diagnosed with the virus.[44]

On 13 March, three more patients tested positive for the virus in Sri Lanka. One of them was a 41-year-old Sri Lankan male who had arrived from Germany, and was admitted to the IDH in Angoda. The other two patients were from a group of people who had been quarantined at a facility in Kandakadu. One was a 37-year-old who had arrived from Italy, and was treated at the Polonnaruwa Hospital, Polonnaruwa. The other was a 43-year-old male who had also arrived from Italy, and he was sent to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Angoda.[45]

On 14 March, five patients tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka; four of them returned from Italy.[46] It was also reported that one of the co-pilots of Sri Lankan Airlines became infected with the coronavirus and attended the annual Royal–Thomian Big Match between S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, and the Royal College, Colombo.[47]

On 15 March, seven people tested positive, making the overall case count 18. The surge of new cases caused the government to declare 16 March a public holiday, which was extended to 19 March.[48] On 16 March, 10 more people tested positive for a total of 28,[49][50] and on 17 March, another 15 people tested positive, increasing the total to 43.[51] On 17 March, the secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Kamal Gunaratne revealed that around 170 passengers who returned from Italy and South Korea had skipped the quarantine procedure.[52]

On 18 March, two people fully recovered from the disease while seven people tested positive, bringing the total case count to 50.[53] On 19 March, nine more people tested positive, bumping the total case count to 59. One patient at the Ragama Hospital exposed several staff to the virus, and the entire hospital ward had to be closed down and the staff were quarantined.[54][55][56] On 20 March, 11 people tested positive for a total case count of 70. Most of the new cases on that day were reported from the Gampaha district.[57] On 21 March, six more people tested positive, pushing the total case count to 77.[58] An army officer who escorted Sri Lankans to quarantine centres also contracted the disease.[58]

On 22 March, the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Jaffna was recorded. The patient was believed to have maintained close relationships with a senior pastor who had tested positive for COVID-19.[59] Five more people tested positive for the virus on 22 March, making the total number of cases 82.[60] On 23 March, five people tested positive for a total case count of 87.[61] On 23 March, the country's first citizen who had tested positive was released from the hospital after showing improvement during recovery.[62]

24–31 March 2020

On 24 March, the assistant of a church pastor was reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.[63] A father-son duo who attended Friday Jummah prayers on 20 March at the Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque also tested positive for COVID-19. Six more cases were reported on 25 March, bringing the total case count to 106. No new confirmed cases were reported in the country on 26 March and 27 March, according to Army General Shavendra Silva.[64]

On 26 March, a recent returnee from abroad contracted COVID-19, and came into contact with 26 people in his village,[65] which entered a lockdown. The next day, the father and sister of the patient tested positive for COVID-19, and they were admitted to the Kalutara Nagoda Hospital.[66] Three villages were placed under lockdown: Bandaragama-Atalugama, Kandy-Akurana, and Puttalam-Kadayamkulam.[67]

On 28 March, the first confirmed death from COVID-19 was recorded in Sri Lanka:[68] a 60-year-old patient from Marawila who had a kidney transplant and had a history of diabetes and high blood pressure.[69] The body was cremated within 15 hours. On 30 March, the second death from COVID-19, a 60-year-old man from Negombo, was reported.[70] Five more people tested positive for COVID-19, including a four-month-old baby on 30 March, bringing the total to 122.[71]

On 30 March, five villages in Beruwala with a total population of over 100 were quarantined after an airport driver tested positive for the virus.[72]

1 April 2020 – 15 April 2020

On 4 April, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe confirmed the death of a fifth patient from COVID-19, and their body was cremated in the afternoon.[73][74] On the same day, seven more patients were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 162.[75]

On 4 April, Anton Sebastianpillai, a Sri Lankan-born British geriatrician and author, died after testing positive for COVID-19.[76]

On 5 and 6 April, 12 new COVID-19 cases were recorded and on next day for a total case count of 178.[77][78] On 7 April, an 80-year-old male from Dehiwala died, and became the sixth person to die from COVID-19.[79] On the same day, seven more patients tested positive for the disease, bringing the total case count to 185. On 8 April, four patients tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the total case count to 189,[80] and the seventh COVID-19-related death was reported.[81] On 9 and 10 April, nine people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 197.[82]

On 12 April, 11 people tested positive for the virus.[83] On 13 April, eight people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total case count to 218.[84] On 14 April, 15 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 233.[85][86]

16 April 2020 – 30 April 2020

On 17 April, seven new cases were reported.[87] Between 18 and 19 April, 27 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections to 271.[88][89]

On 20 April, 33 people from Colombo tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the total case count to 303;[90] it was the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in a single day until 26 April.[91] On 23 April, 38 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to 368; 30 of the cases were sailors from the Welisara Navy camp that placed people under quarantine.[92] On 24 April, 52 people tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total up to 420.[93][94] Over 60 navy personnel tested positive within 2 days. These officers had been on duty in Ja-Ela when they were exposed.[95]

On 25 April, 40 people tested positive for COVID-19.[96] On 26 April, 62 new cases of the virus were reported, including several from naval bases.[97] On 27 April, 65 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 588.[98][99] On 28 April, 31 people tested positive for the virus, which brought the total to 619.[100] On 29 April, 30 new cases were reported for a total of 649.[101] On 30 April, 16 new cases were reported.[102]

1 May 2020 – 21 May 2020

On 1 May, 25 people tested positive for the virus.[103] On 2 May, the 700th COVID-19 patient became infected, along with 14 other patients.[104] The total number of cases increased to 705, with 182 patients recovering.[105] On 3 May, 13 more people tested positive for the virus.[106] On 4 May, Sri Lanka reported its 8th COVID-19 death.[107] 37 people tested positive for the virus on the same day.[108]

On 5 May, another person died of the virus for a total death count of 9.[109] On the same day, 16 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total case count to 771.[110] On 6 May, 29 people tested positive for COVID-19, mostly navy personnel, bringing the total case count up to 797.[111]

On 7 May, Sri Lanka recorded its 800th COVID-19 patient, along with 27 others.[112][113] On 8 and 9 May, 23 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 847.[114][115][116] On 10 May, 16 people tested positive for COVID-19, 13 of which were Sri Lankan Navy officers.[117]

On 11 May, six people tested positive for the virus.[118] On 12 May, 20 people tested positive for the virus, which increased the total case count to 889.[119] On 13 May, the total case count exceeded 900 with 26 new COVID-19 cases.[120] On 14 May, 10 people tested positive, bringing the total to 925.[121] On 15 May, 10 more people tested positive for the disease.[122] On 16 May, the total case count increased to 960.[123][124]

On 17 May, the total case count rose to 981 with 21 new cases.[125] The next day, the case count increased to 992 with 11 new cases.[126] On 19 May, 35 people tested positive for the virus, which brought the total case count to 1,027 total cases.[127][128] On 20 May, one person tested positive for the virus.[129] On 21 May, another 27 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 1,055.[130][131]

22 May 2020 – 28 June 2020

On 22 May, 13 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total case count to 1068.[132] On the next day, the total increased to 1089 with 21 new cases, 19 of which were Sri Lanka Navy sailors.[133] Until 24 May, the Sri Lanka Army maintained 26 quarantine facilities.[134]

On 24 May, 52 people tested positive, which brought the total case count to 1,140.[135] On 25 May, 41 people, all returning from Kuwait, tested positive for the virus.[136][137] On the same day, Dr. Anil Jasinghe confirmed Sri Lanka's 10th death from COVID-19.[138] On 26 May 137 people tested positive for the virus, which brought the total to 1,318.[139][140] The total rose to 1,469 the next day, when 150 patients tested positive for COVID-19.[141] On 28 May, 61 people tested positive for a total of 1,530.[142] On 29 May, 28 people tested positive for the virus, which increased the total to 1,558.[143]

On 30 May, 62 people tested positive for COVID-19, which brought the total to 1620.[144] On 31 May, 16 people tested positive.[145] On 1 June, 10 people tested positive, while one died from the virus.[146][147] 40 people tested positive for the virus on 2 June,[148] and another 66 people tested positive on 3 June.[149] On 4 June, 48 people tested positive, bringing the total to 1,797.[150]

After 4 June, the rate of new COVID-19 cases drastically reduced. On 28 June, the Sri Lankan government stated that no community transmission had occurred since April 30 and no deaths from the disease had occurred since 1 June as reasons for lifting the nationwide curfew.[5]

Second wave (4 October – present)

4 October 2020 – 19 October 2020

On 4 October, an outbreak occurred in Minuwangoda and Divulapitiya, and a curfew was enforced.[151] Governments were reluctant to enforce another lockdown for fear of bankrupting businesses and their employees out of their livelihood.[152]

Sri Lanka's Bureau of Foreign Employment said that since 8 October, 67 Sri Lankan migrant workers died from COVID-19; the deaths were mostly reported from Middle Eastern countries. More than 2600 Middle Eastern workers tested positive for COVID-19.[153] An employee at the Brandix Minuwangoda textile factory tested positive for the virus, and their family were sent to the IDH hospital.[154] The University Grants Commission announced that Kelaniya University, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute, and Naiwala Advanced Technological Institute were to close for one week.[155] On 12 October 2020, the Hela Clothing group said an employee tested positive at its Thihariya plant, which was closed.[156] Later, the government announced that the lockdown in Gampaha district would continue for a few more days.[157] On 12 October, 90 new COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total case count in the Minuwangoda cluster to 1397.[158] Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said: "questions are being raised if we have the facilities to quarantine more people. If the need arises we have the facilities in place to quarantine more people".[157] At the same time, an employee working at the South Asian Textiles garment factory tested positive for COVID-19.[159] On 12 October 2020, 12 Lanka Electricity Company employees working at the Kandana branch tested positive for the virus.[160] 120 people were arrested for curfew violation in lockdown areas.[161] On 13 October, the total case count in the Minuwangoda cluster rose to 1446.[162]

On 18 October 2020, four monks in the Ovitigala Temple in Matugama, Kalutara District, tested positive for COVID-19, according to Matugama Medical Officer P. D. Lionel.[163] A nurse, who worked at the Hirdaramani apparel factory in Kahathuduwa, tested positive for the disease; she had been in contact with a COVID-19 patient.[164] All passengers departing Sri Lanka were asked to take PCR tests for the virus within 72 hours of their departure.[165] Minister of Finance Mahinda Rajapaksa said that a payment of Rs 5,000 would be made to any affected family in the Gampaha District curfew areas.[166]

On 19 October 2020, the Negombo shopping complex closed after a clothing store owner and his wife tested positive for COVID-19; they had attended a wedding ceremony in Divulapitiya.[167] 50 dockyard employees were quarantined after five staff members tested positive.[168] Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors' Union said that 212 Katunayake Investment Zone employees tested positive for the virus, as well as two families of a police sergeant assigned to a police station on Armor Street, Colombo, which was temporarily suspended for several hours.[168] A close contact of a COVID-19 patient from the Minuwangoda was instructed to self-quarantine.[168] A bus conductor operating from the Point Pedro depot tested positive for COVID-19.[168]

20 October 2020 – 31 October 2020

On 20 October 2020, a Special Investigation Unit police inspector tested positive for COVID-19.[169] The government placed a curfew in the Kuliyapitiya area.[170] Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana stated that vehicles travelling from Colombo to Kandy were not allowed to stop in curfew areas.[171] The Pannala public health inspector said that a woman from Pannala who attended a wedding in Divulapitiya tested positive several days later.[172] The total number of people who recovered from COVID-19 increased to 3,644.[173]

On 21 October 2020, the Fort police station re-opened.[174] The Sri Lankan Army built the Kandakadu Special Hospital.[175] The Peliyagoda Fish Market immediately closed after several COVID-19 cases were reported there.[176]

On 22 October 2020, four police officers, who tested positive COVID-19 at the Bambalapitiya Police Station, were instructed to self-quarantine; they were also posted at the Peliyagoda Fish Market.[177] The government imposed a curfew for Kotahena, Mattakuliya, Modara, Wellampitiya, Bloemendhal and Grandpass.[178] Five areas in the Kalutara District were labeled as isolated areas, including Agalawatta, Gorakgoda, Beragoda, Dapiligoda, and Kekulandara North.[179] Later, Chief Epidemiologist Samaraweera announced that 13 districts were affected by the second wave of the virus, and that there was a high possibility of it spreading into 12 other districts.[180] 50 new cases were reported from the Minuwangoda cluster, and 22 cases in the Katunayaka Trade Zone. Six cases were reported in the Peliyagoada Fish Market and 22 cases were in direct contact with people in the Minuwangoda cluster.[citation needed]

On 23 October 2020, 609 new COVID-19 cases were reported, and included cases from 48 quarantine centres. The total case count rose up to 6,896.[181] Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that 30 hospitals and 3,500 beds had been allocated for COVID-19 patients.[182] The Government Medical Officers' Association said that people should go for immediate zonal lockdown after identifying the spread of COVID-19.[183] 45 Colombo port customs officers were sent to self-quarantine. 200 workers took PCR tests, and 45 of them tested positive for COVID-19.[184]

On the same day, more than 400,000 PCR tests were performed.[185] Beruwala harbour closed after it reported 10 out of 16 positive PCR tests.[186] Fish markets and fisheries harbours closed islandwide due to the Peliyagoda cluster.[187] At the end of the day, COVID-19 cases rose up to 850.[188] On 24 October, the government implemented a quarantine curfew in Maradana and Dematagoda, effective until 26 October.[189] On the same day, 71 people were arrested for violating lockdown,[189] and a man from Kandakkuliya, Kalpitiya, died at the Kalpitiya hospital while waiting for a PCR test.[190] Around 40,000 people were under quarantine restrictions. The Nugegoda weekly fair was temporarily closed, as one person tested positive for COVID-19.[191]

During this period, the WHO informed the Health Ministry that they had approved various vaccines for COVID-19 and that Sri Lanka was to expect a shipment of them.[192] The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy implemented safety restrictions its services for residents of areas under curfew: visitors had to carry their valid National Identity Card or Vehicle License Card, wear a face mask, and stay at least 1 m away from other people.[193] The government imposed a quarantine on Gothatuwa and Mulleriyawa.[194] A staff member at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo tested positive for COVID-19.[195] A staff member who worked at the Hilton Colombo also tested positive.[196] The Colombo Manning Market announced that it would close its doors until November.[197] The Hilton Hotel and Galle Face Hotel temporarily closed due to employees testing positive for COVID-19.[198]

On 25 October 2020, the government imposed a curfew on Fort, Pettah, Borella and Welikada effective from 6:00 p.m.[199] Special Police Teams were deployed to arrest curfew violators.[200] A 70-year-old man died from COVID-19, marking the country's 16th COVID-19-related death.[201] On 26 October 2020, the total number of COVID-19 cases increased to 7,521.[202] Ten more Police Special Task Force officers tested positive for the virus.[203] The closure of fishing harbours was detrimental to the country's vast fishing sector, with supplies of fish that could not be picked up.[204] On 27 October 2020, three more COVID-19-related deaths were recorded.[205] The government imposed a curfew on several areas, including Homagama, Moratuwa, and Panadura.[206][207]

On 28 October 2020, the Western Province was placed under quarantine and a curfew was imposed.[208] 15 police officers tested positive for COVID-19 in the Western Province, 96 police officers were sent to quarantine centres, and 708 officers self-quarantined.[209] On 29 October 2020, two employees from the Elephant House Head Office tested positive for the virus.[210] The Nuwara Eliya District was placed under quarantine after 30 people tested positive for the virus.[211] The Sri Lankan Parliament announced it would not meet until 3 November.[212] On the same day, Dr. Hemantha Herath advised people in the Colombo area to stay in the area.[213]

Government offices in the Western Province switched to a work-at-home system.[214] The Wilgoda police area in the Kurunegala District was placed under quarantine due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.[215] The total number of COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka surpassed 10,000.[216]

On 31 October, about 12,000 PCR tests were conducted,[217] and seven Borella police officers tested positive for COVID-19.[218]

1 November 2020 – 8 November 2020

On 1 November 2020, a quarantine curfew was re-imposed in the Western Province, Kurunegala, Ratapura, and Kuliyapitiya.[219] On 2 November 2020, a COVID-19-positive man committed suicide.[220] Eight Borella police officers tested positive for COVID-19 on 10 November.[221] On 3 November 2020, Sri Lanka reported its 22nd COVID-19 death.[222] On the same day, the Isurupaya Education head office closed after employees tested positive for COVID-19.[223]

On 4 November, the Sri Lankan Government reported that it spent Rs. 7.3 billion on COVID-19 relief in October.[224] On 5 November 2020, six inmates and one police officer tested positive for COVID-19.[225] Five more deaths were reported, bringing the total death toll to 29.[226] On 6 November 2020, 75 customs officers were placed under quarantine after 8 tested positive.[227] The total number of active COVID-19 infections rose to 12,570.[228]

On 7 November 2020, seven prisoners from Bogambara Prison tested positive for COVID-19.[229] The Health Ministry issued new COVID-19 health guidelines in response to the rapid spread of the second wave.[230] On 8 November 2020, 235 police officers in the Western Province tested positive for COVID-19.[231]

1 January 2021 – present

On 22 January 2021, Sri Lanka's National Medical Regulatory Authority announced that it approved the Oxford–Astra-Zeneca vaccine.[232]

In June 2021, it was reported that a lion named Thor that lived in the Dehiwala Zoo since 2012 tested positive for COVID-19.[233][234]

As of 8 July 2021, the total number of reported COVID-19 cases had surpassed 268,000, and the death toll had risen to over 3,300.[235]

Clusters

Welisara Navy Camp cluster

After identifying a COVID-19 positive patient from Polonnaruwa, a sailor from Welisara Navy camp, the camp was immediately quarantined: around 4000 people at the Navy Camp, including sailors and their families, were held within the camp.[236] On 23 April, 30 sailors tested positive for the virus, with the count rising to 58 the next day.[93][92] Due to the spread, all sailors were recalled to the camp and transferred to Colombo for further testing. Those that associated with sailors in the camp were instructed to self-quarantine. On 24 April, the camp was declared an isolated area.[237][238] As of 28 April 148 sailors from the Welisara Naval Complex, 45 sailors on leave, and 13 others were traced to have been in contact with the infected sailors.[239] According to Jasinghe on 28 April, the Welisara cluster included 209 people, with 148 inside the camp and 45 outside the camp on leave.[240]

Kandakadu cluster

On 7 July, an inmate in the Welikada Prison tested positive for COVID-19.[241] On the same day, another COVID-19 cluster was declared in the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre. Two people from Welikanda, five from Rajanganaya, and one each from Habaraduwa and Lankapura tested positive for COVID-19. They were confirmed to be close associates of inmates in the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre.[242]

Minuwangoda and Divulapitiya cluster

On 4 October 2020, a 39-year-old woman employed in an apparel manufacturing facility in Gampaha tested positive for COVID-19. It was revealed that she was working in the Brandix garment factory in Minuwangoda.[243] 45 of her close contacts were quarantined. Subsequently, a police curfew assisted by the army was imposed on Minuwangoda and Divulapitya.[244] On 4 October, the total number of new infections rose to 101 due to the number of infections reported from the Minuwangoda apparel factory.[245] On the same day, the Ministry of Education announced that it was considering to hold or postpone the Scholarship Examination and the GCE. Advanced Level examinations scheduled to start on 11 and 12 October, respectively.[246] PCR tests were conducted on over 2,000 employees of the garment factory.[247] On 5 October over 1,300 students and teachers of the Sri Guanawasa Maha Vidyalaya in Divulapiya were quarantined.[248][249] On 6 October, Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva stated at a press conference that the total number of cases from the Brandix cluster reached 706.[250][251] In the Gampaha district, 11 police areas were put under curfew after 100 cases were reported.[252] On 7 October, new reports stated that 1026 garment factory workers tested positive for the virus. One COVID-19 patient was found in another Brandix garment factory in Welisara.[253] On the same day, the Ministry of Education announced that the Scholarship and Advanced Level would not be postponed.[254] On 8 October the government said that the total number of confirmed cases rose to 4,469 (Minuwangoda garment factory cluster number of cases up to 1,044).[255] New COVID-19 cases were reported in 16 districts on 8 October.[256] On 9 October, the Government Information Department said that the Minuwangoda cluster increased to 1,053 cases.[257] On 10 October, the number of total cases on the island reached 4,626.[258] On 11 October 2020, 1,307 total COVID-19 cases were reported from the Minuwangoda and Divulapitya cluster.[259] 49 garment employees tested positive for COVID-19 on 13 October.[162] Silva said 85% of the families of Brandix garment factory employees tested positive for the virus. They moved to 96 quarantine facilities with more than 10,000 people undergoing the quarantine process.[260] On 17 October, Gampha District allowed the purchase of groceries and medicine for a few hours.

Alleged violation of quarantine protocol

On 7 October, Opposition MPs Harsha de Silva and Manusha Nanayakkara inquired whether the new cluster emerged from the transmission of the virus from Indian nationals invited by Brandix. They also claimed that Brandix's chief of security escorted them out of the airport without being tested for COVID-19 and violating quarantine procedures.[261]

Brandix responded, saying that no parties from India accessed its Minuwangoda facility, and no Indian material was used there. The company also stated that they chartered three flights from Visakhapatnam, India, for its Sri Lankan employees working in India and their families, and that they properly followed government-mandated protocol including PCR testing and 14-day quarantine at a government-regulated quarantine facility.[262][263][264]

University cases

The Bambalapitiya branch of ICBT Campus became a COVID-19 hotspot, as one of the students of the college who visited the campus on 4 October 2020 tested positive for COVID-19.[265][266]

A female student from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura's third-year management faculty tested positive COVID-19 on 10 October. The university vice-chancellor, Sudantha Liyanage, said 50 students of the Management Faculty were placed under self-isolation. The student's mother was a nurse who worked in the ICU of the Panadura General Hospital, which immediately closed the ICU and tested 20 ICU crew members.[267] On 12 October 2020, another two students positive.[268]

On 11 October 2020, a reported new COVID-19 case involved a female student of University of Kelaniya's social science faculty.[269] In the University of Ruhuna, a student's father tested for COVID-19 on 12 October. The student and her roommate were quarantined.[270]

Colombo National Hospital

On 10 October 2020, Colombo National Hospital announced that three minor staff tested positive for COVID-19. Two wards were temporarily closed.[271]

Katunayaka Investment Zone

On 12 October 2020, seven people tested positive for COVID-19 in the Katunayaka Investment Zone.[272] On 13 October, 42 more employees tested positive for COVID-19.[273]

Peliyagoda fish market cluster

On 21 October, several new cases were reported at the Peliyagoda fish market.[274] The first recorded patient lived in Dompe. After a few hours, the fish market closed and all the workers self-quarantined, with 105 individuals taking PCR tests.[275]

496 new cases were reported on 23 October.[181] 20 harbour workers at the Beruwala fisheries tested positive for COVID-19, due to close contact with the Peliyagoda cluster.[276] Some time later, all major fisheries were closed.[181] 535 patients were reported at the Peliyagoda fish market with 217 close contacts.[188]

Other

Mannar

On 11 October 2020, the Sri Lankan Army commander said that Periakadei and Pattithottam, two villages in the Mannar district, would be isolated due to five people from the area testing positive for COVID-19.[277]

Lanka Electricity Company

On 12 October 2020, the Ja-Ela public inspector said that 12 employees of the Kandana Lanka Electricity Company had tested positive for COVID-19.[278]

Katunayaka Airport

On 12 October 2020, Sri Lankan Airlines confirmed media reports that a cargo operator employee who worked at the Bandaranaike International Airport tested positive for COVID-19.[279]

Bank of Ceylon

On 13 October 2020, the husband of an employee of the Bank of Ceylon's Ratmalana branch tested positive for COVID-19.[280]

Sri Lankan Navy second wave

Two Sri Lankan Navy officers tested positive for COVID-19 on 17 October 2020, and were sent to the National Operation Center.[281]

Response

The Sri Lankan government has requested that the general public practice proper hygiene methods and self-quarantine methods to safeguard from the disease.[282]

On 14 March, the Sri Lankan government declared 16 March 2020 a national public holiday to contain the pandemic.[283][284][285]

On 15 March, Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa proposed plans to combat COVID-19 to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation leaders during a video press conference arranged by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi.[286] Rajapaksa directed the authorities to implement proper quarantine centres to examine foreigners and ordered relevant authorities to provide necessary essential services to the general public via the Internet.[287]

On 16 March, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to extend the public holiday to one week, and close all ports of entry into the country.[288] The government extended the public holiday to three days from 17 March to 19 March due to increase in new cases except for health, banking, food supply, and transportation.[289][290]

On 17 March 2020, Rajapaksa stated that Sri Lanka had not reached a full-time quarantine level and criticised the comparisons regarding the country's situation with lockdown in Italy, which was urged by the Sri Lankan general public on social media.[291] He also ordered the banking sector to not overburden the coronavirus-hit business sector, which was unable to repay loans, and ordered the banking sector to further extend the payback period to another six months.[292]

The Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, revealed that around 24 hospitals were available to tackle the coronavirus emergency.[293]

On 19 March, the government extended the public holiday to eight days from 20 March to 27 March to both private and public sectors as a remedy to confront the coronavirus pandemic. The government urged the public to work at home and declared a "work from home period" for those eight days.[294] The government also planned to convert the former Voice of America relay station into a COVID-19 treating hospital.[295]

On 21 March, the government strictly cautioned that younger children and older people should not be allowed to go to the supermarket and urged only one person per family to visit the supermarket to avoid unnecessary gatherings. The government also urged the public to not buy chloroquine, which is used to treat patients diagnosed with malaria.[296]

On 23 March, Rajapaksa introduced a relief fund called "COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund" to combat the pandemic.[297] He contributed about Rs. 100 million from the President's Fund.[298] President also revealed that general public can delay the monthly electricity, water bills until 30 April.[citation needed]

The government has proposed plans to arrange home delivery of the essential goods to curb the coronavirus pandemic and also to control the crowd.[299] The decision was reached by the government following the panic buying and overcrowding of public in shopping outlets and supermarkets on 23 March after the removal of curfew temporarily.[300]

The government urged the main supermarkets of the country such as Cargills, Arpico Super Centre, Keells Super, Sathosa, and LAUGFS Holdings to sell products to customers via home delivery methods. PickMe offered services to deliver essential items such as gas and groceries. PickMe partnered with Lanka Sathosa to provide essential products to customers via home delivery channels, and also partnered with Litro Gas to provide gas cylinders.[301] Sri Lanka's main apparel manufacturer Brandix offered one of its factories as a quarantine centre to assist government's fight against the coronavirus.[citation needed]

On 24 March, the government issued a statement that a special task force was established to effectively and efficiently regulate and conduct the distribution of essential commodities.[302] The government designated Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara as high-risk zones.[303] The Police DIG, Ajith Rohana, warned that there could be a possibility of more undisclosed unconfirmed hidden coronavirus cases due to the reluctance of carriers coming forward for testing and self-quarantine precautions.[304]

The government extended the work-from-home period until 3 April due to the extension of indefinite curfews in high-risk zones.[305] Rajapaksa ordered the Central Bank, commercial banks, insurance companies to continue services during the curfew.[306]

Some reports revealed that Rajapaksa could arrange an emergency meeting at the parliament as soon as possible, which was dissolved earlier in the month for the parliamentary elections.[307] He initially hosted an all-party press conference to curb the pandemic.[308][309]

On 7 April Army, 1 Corps of Engineer Services (CES) turned the former Voice of America building complex at Iranawila, Chilaw, into an isolation hospital.[310]

Politics

Rajapaksa condemned former UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's remarks over the possibility of shortage of funds after 30 April, and criticized him for politicizing the current coronavirus pandemic.[311][312] The ruling party also condemned the opposition's request to reconvene the dissolved parliament, and accused them of trying to seek political gains.[313]

On 11 May 2020, the Sri Lankan government lifted the curfew that had been in place since the start of the pandemic, which allowed the public to return to work under the condition that social distancing is maintained. However, public gatherings, festivals, and celebrations were still banned.[314][315] The government also allowed salons, beauty parlours, and barber shops to reopen on 11 May but strictly banned shaving.[316][317][318] The government urged barbers to maintain precautionary health measures while cutting hair.[319]

The 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election was held on 5 August 2020 during the pandemic. Voter turnout was initially low, primarily fueled by fears of contracting or spreading the virus, but slowly increased into the morning, however.[320][321] Authorities required voters to wear face masks, along with the use of hand sanitizer when voters enter and leave polling stations.[322][323]

Disposal of bodies

Letter leaked to media by the Health Ministry

According to the authority guidelines, the bodies of deceased COVID-19 patients must be bagged and disinfected while the closest relatives are allowed to see the face of the deceased for a limited time within the hospital; touching the body is not allowed. Embalming is banned and funeral homes are expected to immediately bag the body and place it in a sealed coffin for religious rituals. Mass gatherings and funeral functions are banned and remains must be cremated within 24 hours of death.[324]

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauff Hakeem criticized the decision to make cremation mandatory, and claimed that cremations were done unlawfully without following either international rules or religious principles, and further stated that the cremation of a person should not be done without proper religious methods. The Muslim community gave mixed responses, with some criticising Hakeem while others criticised the government decision.[324][325]

Some human rights activists and groups accused the government of not following WHO rules and regulations for cremations related to COVID-19 deaths.[326]

A letter from the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka was leaked to social media on 25 April 2020, which requested 1,000 body bags from the International Committee of the Red Cross to dispose of bodies during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The ministry later announced that it would investigate who leaked the letter to the media.[327]

On 10 February 2021, following growing international criticism of the practice of forced cremations, Sri Lanka's prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa indicated in Parliament that burials for COVID-19 victims would be allowed.[328]

On 2 March 2021, Iranaitivu, 300 km (190 mi) from Colombo, was designated as the burial site for COVID-19 victims from Muslim and Christians who opposed cremations.[329][330]

Philadelphia Missionary Church

On 21 March 2020, the authorities urged all the people who attended the Sunday service at Philadelphia Missionary Church, Jaffna, to self-quarantine for at least 14 days.[331] On 15 March 2020, the main senior pastor of the church conducted special Sunday service,[332] and was later found to have tested positive for COVID-19. He later went to Switzerland that day with his wife for medical treatment.[333][334][335] The Northern Province governor, P. S. M. Charles, confirmed that the pastor hugged and blessed all worshippers during the service. Around 240 people were reported to have attended the service according to EconomyNext.[336] Three of them were treated at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.[citation needed]

Maligawatta stampede

Main article: 2020 Maligawatta stampede

On 21 May 2020, a stampede occurred near a Muslim Jumma residence in Maligawatta, Colombo, resulting in the death of three women and injuring nine.[337][338][339] Although a businessman informed authorities about the charity event and received a police pass for it, the crowd gathered in huge unexpected numbers, which resulted in a stampede.[340] Six suspects who were involved in relief distribution have been arrested mainly for conducting such an event amid coronavirus and for not maintaining proper hygienic measures and ignoring the ban on public gatherings.[341]

Travel restrictions

The government banned the arrival of travellers from several European countries, including Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, France, Austria, and the Netherlands,[342][343] extending the ban to the United Kingdom on 15 March.[344][345] The travel ban was also imposed to foreign travellers from India, South Korea, and Iran.[346] SriLankan Airlines cancelled several scheduled flights from several countries, including India amid coronavirus fears.[347] As of 17 March 2020, Sri Lankan government ordered travel restrictions to Canada, Bahrain, and Qatar.[348] Aircraft were prevented from landing from 19 March until 25 March at BIA airport, except for cargo goods.[349][350] The government also extended the validity of all foreigner visas until 12 April.[351]

On 22 March, the government banned the arrival of all passenger ships and planes.[352]

In December, Sri Lanka said travel restrictions would be relaxed from 26 March to allow expatriates and foreign passport holders to return without prior registration with the Foreign Ministry if they had booked paid quarantine.[353] Restrictions were reinforced on 21 December after a highly transmissible SARS-Cov-2 strain was found in the UK and some other countries.[354]

Arrests and legal actions

On 16 March 2020, four Sri Lankans who evaded quarantine after returning from South Korea were arrested by the Sri Lankan police while hiding in their homes. Legal action was taken against a 45-year-old patient who knew his travel partner to Germany was infected and did not admit himself for treatment.[355] He later tested himself at a private hospital despite a ban on private testing by the government. He admitted himself to the IDH after carrying the virus for three days.[356][357]

On 20 March, the mayor of Dambulla Jaliya Opatha and another person were arrested by police after the mayor organised a bicycle race despite the ban on gatherings. 20 people were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy in Kochchikade and Puttalam coasts after attempting to go out after curfew, and a court case was filed against the COVID-19 patient that admitted himself to Ragama Hospital for chest pains while hiding his travel history, which resulted in the quarantine of hospital staff.[358][359]

As of 15 May, more than 55,000 people were arrested for breaching the curfew imposed by the government.[360] Some people have been arrested for allegedly spreading false information about the COVID-19 pandemic.[361]

First wave curfews and lockdowns

On 18 March, the Sri Lanka Police imposed an emergency curfew in Puttalam, Negombo, Kochikade, and Chilaw, as 800 returnees from Italy were speculated to have visited those areas,[362][363] before being officially confirmed by Silva.[364] On 19 March, an emergency curfew was enforced from 10 p.m. in some area until further notice after the discovery of a new COVID-19 case in Ja-Ela.[365][366]

On 20 March, Rajapaksa announced that a lockdown would be enforced on the entire nation from 6 p.m. on 20 March to 6 a.m. on 24 March to contain the pandemic.[367][368][369] The lockdown was originally supposed to last from 20 to 23 March, but it was extended an extra day due to a surge in new cases. The government announced that the curfew would be lifted from most parts of the country from 23 March except Colombo, Gampaha, Jaffna, Kilinochi, and Mulaitivu to encourage the rural public to engage in retail purchases.[370]

On 23 March, the government announced that it would impose the quarantine curfew from 12pm on 24 March until 27 March to contain the spreading of coronavirus, and they banned citizens from inter-district travel from 24 to 27 March.[371] On 24 March, the government imposed a curfew for very high risk zones such as Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara for a maximum period of two weeks.[372] On 28 March, government extended curfew for Jaffna district and Kandy district.[373]

On 9 April, the government announced a curfew in the Ratnapura and Pelmadulla police divisions in the Ratnapura District.[374] On 13 April, two villages, Panvila and Cheena Koratuwa in Beruwala, were isolated due to the threat of COVID-19.[375] On 16 April, Bandaranaike Mawatha in Hultsdorf was completely closed down after a resident who had returned from India tested positive for COVID-19 and symptoms were detected after 33 days.[376] On the same day, Nagalgam Street in Grandpass was also declared an isolated area until further notice.[377]

On 22 April, 12 villages in the Lankapura division of Polonnaruwa were declared isolated areas after the first patient from the Polonnaruwa district was identified.[378] On 24 April, Uhana and Damana in the Ampara district temporarily declared lockdown by Welisara Navy camp personnel.[379] On 28 April, Havelock Lane, Dabare Mawatha in Colombo 05, and Hete Watte in Torrington were declared isolated villages.[380][381]

On 3 May, Panwila and China Fort areas in Beruwala and Akurana in Kandy were reopened.[382] On 29 May, government mandated a curfew for Nuwara Eliya District from 29 to 31 May due to large assemblies on streets for Arumugam Thondaman's death.[383]

International support

The Government of China extended their support to Sri Lanka by extending the concessionary loan of US$500 million in order to fight the disease.[384] The US government also lent their support to combat the outbreak by donating essential supplies, such as nitrile gloves and heavy duty work gloves.[385] The founder of the Alibaba Group, Jack Ma, announced his plans to help the Asian countries affected by the coronavirus, including Sri Lanka, by providing essential emergency supplies such as masks and test kits.[386][387] On 7 April, the Government of India donated 10 tonnes of essential medicines. The donation was given in good faith to Sri Lanka for its voluntary contribution to the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund.[388]

Criticisms regarding Big Match

Health authorities ordered self-isolation for 14 days for people who attended the annual Big Match, the cricket match held between S. Thomas' College Mount Lavinia and Royal College Colombo, which is also popularly known as the Battle of the Blues.[389] The warning was raised after an alumnus S. Thomas College was infected with the coronavirus after attending the match. Officials warned that there was a possibility of the virus being spread to the crowd mainly including the old boys of their respective schools who gathered in large numbers.[390] Rajapaksa urged the organisers to cancel the Big Match, but they ignored him and proceeded with the match. Several companies and businesses ordered their employees who attended the Big Match to not report to work for 14 days.[391]

Criticisms regarding general public

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene criticised members of the public who stayed in long queues in the supermarket without maintaining social distancing and did not wear face masks on social media.[392]

The supermarket chains in the country made arrangements to control panic buying and long queues.[393]

Research and development

The Pandemic. Research and Development Unit of Sri Lanka Navy developed a remote-controlled smart appliance called Medi Mate to allow healthcare workers to maintain distance from patients during testing and treatment. It is wheeled and remote-controlled, which allows workers to communicate with patients, transport medicine and meals, and spray disinfectants through an automated nozzle. The research and development unit of the Sri Lanka Navy developed a disinfection chamber and variants with added features that were placed in Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, and University Hospital KDU.[394]

Vega Innovations, a subsidiary of CodeGen Group of Companies, collaborated with the Ministry of Health to design a low-cost Volume Controlled – Continuous Mandatory Ventilation (VC-CMV) Medical Ventilator that could be produced for a cost under US$650 per unit.[395]

Atlas Axillia PLC, a subsidiary of the Hemas Group, developed the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) robot, which is able to carry food and medicine, perform basic medical check-ups such as checking temperatures, and allow doctors to monitor patients remotely and have conversations with them. The first prototype was gifted to Base Hospital Homagama.[396]

Students from the faculty of engineering at the University of Peradeniya repaired and developed oxygen respiratory systems and ICU beds.[397] The National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka allocated funding to combat the pandemic, and invited proposals from Sri Lankan scientists.[398]

The Center for Research and Development of the Ministry of Defence developed an interactive remotely operated robotic platform called Dr. Robort, a disinfection corridor, and two mobile disinfection platforms. The ministry asked the private sector to collaborate to commercialise these inventions and begin large-scale manufacturing.[399]

The Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) collaborated with state institutions and private companies on multiple projects to deal with the pandemic. The sudden demand for nasopharyngeal swabs caused a shortage; the IDH was down to 30 swabs at one point. SLINTEC identified the materials required and studied the manufacturing process and available facilities, which were then transferred to Hi Fashion Ltd., who began producing swabs with Lady Ridgeway Hospital.[400] The institute also developed low cost RT-LAMP kits to detect viral RNA.[401]

MSC Magnifica

MSC Magniica's only Sri Lankan crew member on board and an ill passenger was disembarked when reached Colombo Harbour on her way back to Italy

A Sri Lankan chef on the MSC Magnifica, Anura Bandara Herath, made a request to the Sri Lankan government on social media to detain him when the cruise ship reached Colombo Harbour for resupplying on her way back to Italy. Rajapaksa responded to the request, and directed Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva to bring Herath ashore. Herath was directed to a quarantine centre in Boossa for 14 days of mandatory quarantine. A 75-year-old German female passenger also disembarked on a heart-related ailment and was admitted to the Sri Lanka National hospital.[402] On 13 April, she died with complications.[403]

False reports and rumours

Main article: COVID-19 misinformation

On 12 March 2020, false reports spread on social media that the son of the 52-year-old tour guide who was infected with COVID-19 had also been infected.[404] However, the allegations were refuted by the Ministry of Health, and the boy did not present with any symptoms were identified after thorough checking.[405] The Sri Lankan Police told the general public to avoid being deceived by COVID-19 misinformation on social media platforms.[406]

On 12, 13, and 14 March, the general public rushed into supermarkets and shopping centers due to panic buying.[407][408] The Sri Lankan government insisted that the public not unnecessarily panic about the pandemic, and revealed that there was no shortage of essential items in the country, including petroleum and food.[409] Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry chairperson Kasturi Chellaraja Wilson revealed that there is no shortage of essential pharmaceutical products and drugs.[410] There were rumours regarding the house-to-house quarantine in social media, but the government denied the allegations.[411]

On 16 March, opposition MP Rajitha Senaratne made a controversial statement that ten school students had been infected with the virus while MP Sarath Fonseka claimed that there were three deaths due to disease. However, on 18 March, Fonseka admitted he quoted false information on Facebook. The police began an investigation of the two MPs.[412]

Former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa promoted Plaquenil as a drug superior than hydroxychloroquine, though they are both the same drug. Due to its serious side effects, self-administration is not recommended. Premadasa also claimed azithromycin could treat the side effects of hydroxychloroquine, though it is an antibiotic and is not used to treat side effects.[413] Premadasa later apologised for spreading misinformation.[414]

Dhammika Bandara was a mason[citation needed] who became a self-proclaimed sorcerer and claimed that Kali gave him a recipe for a cure. He managed to gain the support of several politicians, including the Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachi. After being prevented from giving the alleged cure to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Bandara acted as if he was possessed by Kali and shouted "I am Kali. I am your mother" at the Buddhist monk in charge. Many doctors and researchers criticised Bandara, and Ayurvedic doctors expressed concern at the fact Bandara claimed to be an "indigenous doctor" without any credentials. Pavithra and another minister who ingested Bandara's alleged cure contracted COVID-19. Wanniarachi ordered the alleged cure to be investigated, and results showed that the potion was completely useless; no patients given the syrup showed any improvement over those without it.[415][416][417][418] Bandara refused to stop production, claiming that as it was spiritual it could not be tested and it would lose its healing properties if the patient ate Maldives fish.[419][420]

The University of Ruhuna issued a warning about a company called MeGha Primal that fraudulently used the name of the Karapitiya hospital and the university to sell a supplement it claimed cures COVID-19. The company also fraudulently claimed to have ISO certification. Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram quickly deleted MeGha Primal'spages.[421][422]

Prison riots

On 21 March, a protest was held by prison inmates in Anuradhapura to separate themselves from each other after four reported cases were announced.[423] Shots were fired in the protest, resulting in the death of two prisoners, leaving another six injured.[424][425][426]

On 29 November, a riot at Mahara prison outside Colombo left eight people dead and over 50 injured.[427][428] The riots occurred following the rumours and speculations regarding the transferring of COVID-19-infected prisoners to Mahara Prison from other crowded prisons. The prison inmates demanded that officials and authorities increase PCR testing following a surge in COVID-19 cases in Sri Lankan prisons.[429][430]

"Nagitimu Sri Lanka"

A song titled "Nagitumu Sri Lanka" was released by the Gammadda initiative as a part of the MTV/MBC network to pay tribute to the people of the country to rise up again by showing resilience against the COVID-19 pandemic.[431]

Impact

Elections

Main article: 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election

On 19 March 2020, Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya revealed that the 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election would be postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic.[432][433] The Sri Lankan government initially insisted that the election would proceed as planned on 25 April despite the pandemic, and the authorities banned election rallies and meetings.[434] On 3 April Sri Lanka's Election Commission wrote to Rajapaksa to seek court opinion on a delay of the elections, stating that they would not be complete before 1 June per the president's Gazette notification.[435] P. B. Jayasundera, secretary to the president, wrote that the commission failed to act in provision of section 24 of the Parliamentary Elections Act of Sri Lanka, and asked them to hold the elections,[436] which created a debate between the office of the president and the elections commission.[437]

On 19 April, Rajapaksa announced that the Elections Commission had no authority to postpone general elections without providing an alternate date.[438][439] The day after, the commission met in Colombo and announced 20 June as the new date despite increasing COVID-19 cases on the island. Almost all opposition parties raised concerns over how to hold campaigns with the ongoing curfew.[440] Rajapaksa refused to recall the old parliament.[citation needed]

On 10 June, Deshapriya confirmed that the parliamentary elections would be held on 5 August 2020 with strict health measures and guidelines,[441][442][443] joining countries such as Poland, South Korea, Singapore, Syria, and Serbia that have held elections during the COVID-19 pandemic.[444][445]

Tourism

The coronavirus outbreak affected the decline of the country's tourism sector, which was recovering slowly from the impact of the 2019 Easter bombings. The tourism sector was directly affected by the decrease in Chinese tourists. The Sri Lankan government also suspended flights to mainland China and pilgrimages to India.[446]

Environment

The air quality index showed a drastic improvement in air quality in highly dense areas such as Colombo since curfews were enforced.[447]

Education

The government ordered schools to close for five weeks from 12 March to 20 April, which marked the end of the first term and also cancelled exams for the term.[448][449][450] Private tutoring, including the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka, was also closed from 26 March.[451] On 11 April, the government announced that the new school year was delayed until 11 May 2020.[452]

The Sri Lankan government announced that it would reopen the schools from 29 June 2020 in four stages. Schools would be open to teachers to make arrangements that followed health guidelines from 29 June onwards, while students could return on 7 July.[453] The GCE A/L examinations were postponed to 7 September and the scholarship exam 13 September.[454]

On 6 July, grades 5, 11, and 13 at government schools resumed academic activities.[455] However, on 12 July, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Kandakadu, the government closed schools again from 13 to 17 July.[456]

Government Examinations

Following the identification of a COVID-19 case from Gampaha, the Ministry of Education Sri Lanka announced on 5 October that all schools on the island would be closed indefinitely. The Commissioner General of Examinations announced that there is no change in the schedules of the Grade 5 and GCE Advanced Level Examination to be held in October.[457] The department made arrangements to conduct the examinations on the dates notified in advance. Exam held on 10 October to 6 November.[458] Education Minister G.L Peiris said that the examinations would be held while obeying health guidelines.[459] On 10 October, Sri Lanka Railways published a special train timetable for providing transportation facilities to students sitting the Advanced Level and Grade Five Scholarship examinations.[citation needed]

Entertainment

The Sri Lankan government imposed a ban on public gatherings for two weeks amid COVID-19 fears, and mandated that permission should be received from police.[460] Film theatres, national parks, zoological gardens and botanical gardens throughout the country were closed indefinitely.[461] The Sri Lanka Planetarium shut down on 17 March.[462]

Economy

Further information: 2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis

The Colombo Stock Exchange closed at a new eight-year low.[463] Stock market activity stopped for at least 30 minutes on 13 March.[464] On 5 March 2020, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) released a monetary policy review, and the monetary authority decided to keep policy interest rates unchanged despite the COVID-19 outbreak (SDFR fixed at 6.5% and the SLFR fixed at 7.5%).[465][466] On 16 March 2020, they revised the monetary policy review and cut policy rates by 25 basis points, and the statutory reserve ratio by 1 basis point due to the pandemic.[467][468] The CBSL continued its expansionary monetary policy to enrich the economy.[469][470] The CBSL governor, W. D. Lakshman, asked financial institutions to not panic.[471] On 18 March, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that the Colombo Stock Exchange would be closed until 19 March.[472] The Colombo Stock Exchange reopened on 11 May.[473][474]

The CBSL asked the banking sector to allow banking activities for at least two hours on 23 March, and the banks encouraged the general public to utilise electronic transactions instead of physical cash.[475][476] Experts revealed that the country is likely to mark a record-low negative growth rate for the first time since 2001 due to the economic pressures caused by the pandemic.[477] The Commercial Bank of Ceylon stated that it would help customers who were severely affected by the pandemic.[478] Fishermen are one of the most severely affected groups, as the export prices of the fish mainly to the European Union have drastically reduced; they have been unable to sell 400 tonnes of newly-caught fish due to restrictions imposed by authorities.[479]

In October 2021, the World Bank estimated that 500,000 people had fallen below the poverty line since the pandemic started.[480][481] Inflation reached a record high of 11.1% in November 2021.[481]

  • As of 27 March 2020, the domestic Sri Lankan rupee depreciated against the US dollar to 191.99.[482]
  • As of 8 April, the domestic Sri Lankan rupee further depreciated against the US dollar to 200.47.[483][484]
  • Several mega companies in Sri Lanka, ranked as top companies in the island, announced that they would reduce their employees' salaries to 5% from 35%, including John Keells Holdings, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Brandix Lanka.[485][486][487]
  • On 21 April, the government ordered liquor stores to close down.[488][489] Despite quarantine measures relaxing on 11 May, liquor shops remained closed.[490]
  • Sri Lanka's gross domestic product rate was predicted to fall to -6.7% by the end of 2020.[491]
Monthly Export Performance 2018-2020
  • In the second quarter of 2020, the Sri Lankan trade deficit decreased to US$3.8 billion from US$4.8 billion in 2019. Industrial exports shrank 10.2% (mostly garment goods), and the Sri Lanka rupee depreciated to 0.3% at the end of August.[492]
  • Sri Lanka's official reserves fell to US$6.6 billion in September 2020, with most reserve assets based on foreign currency reserves. The drop was attributed to the Middle East migrant workers' crisis.[493]
  • On 23 October, the Colombo stock market closed 0.05% lower than the previous day.[494]

Religious services

On 15 March 2020, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo, Malcolm Ranjith, held a televised church service to combat the pandemic. The archbishop announced that church service and holy masses in Colombo and Chilaw would not be conducted until 31 March 2020.[495][496] The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) also asked that the Friday Jummah prayers in mosques be suspended.[497][498][499]

Isolated incidents of mosques ignoring the curfew to hold gatherings and prayers were reported. In one incident in Horowpathana, 18 were arrested while several dozen fled the police. As a result, the ACJU suspended the board of trustees of the mosque in question, issued a statement praising the government, and requested action against those spreading hate speech due to the incidents.[500][501]

Sunday mass services were cancelled for two weeks as of 14 April. Sri Lankan Buddhist monks started pirith chanting, a type of prayer to combat COVID-19 island-wide temples on a weekly basis.[502]

Sports

Main article: Impact of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic on sports

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) suggested English cricketers should not follow the tradition of handshaking during the two-match test series tour to Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to commence on 19 March 2020.[503] The players were advised to bump fists as a precaution.[504] The ECB also told English players to not take selfies or sign autographs with the crowd, and forbade them from interacting with fans.[505] On 13 March, the cricket tour was called off, the first-class match in progress was immediately abandoned as a draw, and arrangements were made for the players to return to the UK.[506] Both cricket boards planned to reschedule the matches.[507][508] In December 2020, the ECB confirmed the dates for the tour,[509] with both test matches played in Galle.[510]

Domestic cricket matches were postponed indefinitely due to the pandemic. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) originally planned to conduct the matches until 16 March.[511]

On 20 April, the cricket boards of Sri Lanka and South Africa confirmed that the South African cricket tour to Sri Lanka had been postponed due to the pandemic.[512][513]

The three-match test series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which was originally scheduled for July and August 2020, was postponed to October 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September 2020, Sri Lanka Cricket initially recommended a one-week quarantine period for touring Bangladeshi players.[514][515] However, SLC extended the quarantine period to 14 days, with the BCB disagreeing to the length of time their players should be quarantined and the lack of preparation time ahead of the first test match.[516] In response, SLC suggested that the quarantine could be split into two phases: seven days in Bangladesh, and the remaining seven days in Sri Lanka.[517] On 28 September 2020, the tour was postponed indefinitely as both boards could not decide on quarantine requirements for the series.[518][519][520][521]

Indian women were scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in late November to play in five Women's One Day International and three Women's Twenty20 International matches. The dates for the series have not been confirmed due to pending quarantine guidelines for the Indian women's cricket team.[522]

The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League was initially scheduled to be held in August 2020, and was later postponed to 14 November. However, the start of the tournament was delayed by one week (21 November) due to the compulsory 14-day quarantine process for foreign players as part of the health guidelines and precautions recommended by the health officials.[523][524]

The auction styled player draft of the 2020 Lanka Premier League, which was scheduled to take place on 9 October, was rescheduled to 19 October 2020 by the Sri Lanka Cricket due to a surge in cases.[525][526][527]

Vaccination program

A Sri Lankan woman is vaccinated in 2021 as part of the COVAX initiative
Main article: COVID-19 vaccination in Sri Lanka

A shipment of 500,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, donated to Sri Lanka by the Indian government, arrived in the country on 28 January 2021.[528]

In February, Rajapaksa instructed health authorities to vaccinate members of the general public in the Western Province with the vaccine. Members of Parliament were vaccinated starting 16 February.[529]

Sri Lanka received 600,000 donated doses of the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine from China in March, and later purchased 3 million doses in May.[530]

As of May 2021, Sri Lanka carried out its vaccination program with the Oxford–AstraZeneca, Sinopharm BIBP and Sputnik V vaccines. The nation ordered 5 million doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, becoming the first South Asian nation to approve and order it.[531][532][533]

George Floyd protests

Main article: George Floyd protests

On 9 June 2020, Black Lives Matter protests were staged by activists, followers, and supporters of the Frontline Socialist Party in response to the murder of George Floyd in front of the US Embassy in Kollupitiya, Colombo.[534][535] The protests became violent when police arrested approximately 20 people for violating health and quarantine regulations.[536]

Statistics

Charts

Confirmed new cases per day

Confirmed deaths per day

Number of COVID-19 deaths by age as of 31 December 2020


By region

COVID-19 District wise summary (15 December 2022)[1][2]
Region Total
Provinces Districts Cases Deaths
Western Province, Sri LankaWestern Colombo 144,101 3,335
Gampaha 115,716 3,135
Kalutara 58,739 1,542
Total 318,556 8,012
Southern Province, Sri LankaSouthern Galle 45,867 895
Matara 23,331 404
Hambantota 20,208 237
Total 89,406 1,537
Central Province, Sri LankaCentral Kandy 22,469 835
Matale 15,587 288
Nuwara Eliya 12,342 329
Total 50,398 1,452
Northern Province, Sri LankaNorthern Jaffna 12,350 386
Kilinochchi 10,027 71
Mannar 2,529 31
Mullaitivu 2,296 44
Vavuniya 3,667 159
Total 30,869 690
North Western Province, Sri LankaNorth Western Kurunegala 31,594 1,065
Puttalam 15,390 383
Total 46,984 1,448
Sabaragamuwa ProvinceSabaragamuwa Kegalle 13,481 557
Ratnapura 23,761 895
Total 37,242 1,451
Eastern Province, Sri LankaEastern Trincomalee 4,387 229
Batticaloa 9,894 248
Ampara 19,303 271
Total 33,584 749
North Central Province, Sri LankaNorth Central Anuradhapura 15,100 469
Polonnaruwa 5,269 258
Total 20,369 726
Uva ProvinceUva Badulla 14,651 505
Monaragala 15,315 243
Total 29,966 749
Other 14,402
Total 671,776 16,814

See also

References

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Situation Report" (PDF). 15 December 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "COVID-19 CONFIRMED DEATH - WEEKLY ANALYSIS" (PDF). 16 December 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 January 2023. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "First patient with coronavirus reported in Sri Lanka". Colombo Page. 27 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  4. ^ "Corona Virus 2020 / 2021". www.epid.gov.lk. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Establishment of 12 Corona Quarantine Centers Island wide". Hiru News. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Sri Lanka extends nationwide curfew to fight coronavirus pandemic". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  7. ^ "Sri Lanka, Vietnam in Coronavirus battle of wits to bust the Covid-19 bug". economynext.com. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Sri Lanka ranked 16th among high risk countries for COVID – 19". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  9. ^ "SL performs well in fighting Coronavirus & ranked 9 in GRID Index". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Sri Lanka records world's fourth-highest daily deaths by population amid lockdown calls". EconomyNext. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Sri Lanka teachers on strike over detention of protesters". AP NEWS. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  12. ^ "As COVID deaths surge, Sri Lanka prepares for 10-day lockdown". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Sri Lanka announces lockdown as coronavirus cases surge; president to address nation". Reuters. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Sri Lanka rejects lockdown to beat Covid 'bomb'". France 24. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  15. ^ Nadeera, Dilshan (20 August 2021). "Sri Lankan lives matter – Sajith". Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Sri Lanka confirms highest daily COVID-19 deaths yet; lockdown calls grow louder". EconomyNext. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  17. ^ Nadeera, Dilshan (20 August 2021). "'World will lose faith in all Lankan data'". Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  18. ^ "Sri Lanka to probe COVID-19 data cook up allegation". EconomyNext. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  19. ^ "More businesses go into 'voluntary lockdowns' across Sri Lanka". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  20. ^ "Sri Lanka becomes first in Asia to tighten policy in pandemic-era". Adaderana Biz English. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  21. ^ "Sri Lanka becomes first in Asia to tighten policy in pandemic-era". Reuters. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  22. ^ "Sri Lanka extends COVID-19 lockdown till September 6 as deaths rise". The Hindu. PTI. 27 August 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Sri Lanka Lockdown News: Sri Lanka extends Covid-19 lockdown till September 6 as deaths rise". The Times of India. PTI. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  24. ^ Elsevier. "Novel Coronavirus Information Center". Elsevier Connect. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  25. ^ Reynolds, Matt (4 March 2020). "What is coronavirus and how close is it to becoming a pandemic?". Wired UK. ISSN 1357-0978. Archived from the original on 5 March 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "Crunching the numbers for coronavirus". Imperial News. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  27. ^ "High consequence infectious diseases (HCID); Guidance and information about high consequence infectious diseases and their management in England". GOV.UK. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  28. ^ "World Federation Of Societies of Anaesthesiologists – Coronavirus". www.wfsahq.org. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  29. ^ Witharana, Sathmi. "Cremation: Best solution". Daily News. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  30. ^ "BIA Quarantine Unit to screen passengers with symptoms". Daily News. 20 January 2020. Archived from the original on 20 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  31. ^ "National Action Committee to prevent spread of coronavirus in Sri Lanka". adaderana.lk. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  32. ^ "Chinese construction workers in Sri Lanka to be restricted to workplace & lodgings". adaderana.lk. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  33. ^ "Chinese coronavirus patient discharged". colombogazette.com. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  34. ^ Jump up to: a b c Hamza, Mahadiya. "Sri Lanka plans price controls on face masks as virus fears drive demand". EconomyNext. Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  35. ^ "No coronavirus infected patients in Sri Lanka except the Chinese tourist". colombopage.com. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  36. ^ "33 Students returned from Wuhan, China released from quarantine". colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  37. ^ "Sri Lanka : Coronavirus: Sri Lanka quarantines over 160 passengers arrived from South Korea in new facility". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  38. ^ "First ever COVID 19 patient identified in Sri lanka". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  39. ^ "First Sri Lankan coronavirus patient in the country identified". Adaderana. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  40. ^ "Corona virus 2020" (PDF). www.epid.gov.lk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  41. ^ "Sri Lanka halts on-arrival visa for tourists". economynext.com. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  42. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka temporarily halts on-arrival visa for tourists to control coronavirus spread". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  43. ^ "Second COVID-19 case confirmed in Sri Lanka". www.newsfirst.lk. 6 January 2016. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  44. ^ "Two more Coronavirus cases confirmed in Sri Lanka". Adaderana. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  45. ^ "Three more cases of Coronavirus confirmed in Sri Lanka". Adaderana. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  46. ^ "Two more Coronavirus cases confirmed in Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  47. ^ "Coronavirus infected co-pilot was at the Big Match – Battle of the Blues at SSC". Hiru News. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  48. ^ "Sri Lanka mulls extending holiday to battle virus". EconomyNext. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  49. ^ "Number of coronavirus patients in Sri Lanka rises to 22". Colombo Gazette. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  50. ^ "3 more Coronavirus cases confirmed in Sri Lanka". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  51. ^ "Number of coronavirus patients in Sri Lanka surges to 43". adaderana.lk. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  52. ^ "Sri Lanka Defence Secretary says more than 170 returnees skipped quarantine". EconomyNext. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  53. ^ "Second Corona infected patient recovers fully – Dr Ramesh Pathirana". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  54. ^ "Sri Lanka hospital ward closed, staff quarantined over Coronavirus patient: report". EconomyNext. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  55. ^ "Irresponsible COVID-19 case forces Doctors & Nurses to self-quarantine". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 21 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  56. ^ "Sri Lanka's Coronavirus count up to 59,243 under observation". EconomyNext. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  57. ^ "Sri Lanka confirms 70 Coronavirus cases, most from Gampaha district". EconomyNext. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  58. ^ Jump up to: a b "Sri Lanka's Coronavirus count goes to 78 with military medic". EconomyNext. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  59. ^ Indrakumar, Menaka. "COVID-19 case reported from Jaffna". Daily News. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  60. ^ "Sri Lanka extends curfew in the north as Coronavirus count rises to 82". EconomyNext. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  61. ^ "Sri Lanka lifts Coronavirus curfew in some areas as count goes to 87". EconomyNext. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  62. ^ "First Covid −19 patient in Sri Lanka discharged". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  63. ^ "Sri Lanka : Acquaintance of "Swiss Pastor" becomes coronavirus positive". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  64. ^ "Sri Lanka village in Covid-19 lockdown as zero Coronavirus cases reported for second day". EconomyNext. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  65. ^ "Atalugama coronavirus patient's father & sister hospitalized". Ada Derana. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  66. ^ "Atalugama comes under lockdown". Sunday Observer. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  67. ^ "Three villages sealed off". Daily News. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  68. ^ "Sri Lanka records first death due to coronavirus". Times of India. 29 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  69. ^ "First Coronavirus patient dies in Sri Lanka, total Covid-19 count 113". EconomyNext. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  70. ^ "The second corona related death reported in Sri Lanka". Hiru News. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  71. ^ "05 members of a family including a four month old baby test positive for Coronavirus in Sri Lanka". Hiru News. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  72. ^ "Five villages in Beruwala locked down as dodger tests positive for COVID-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  73. ^ "Sri Lanka reports fifth COVID-19 death". Colombo Page. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  74. ^ "Sri Lanka records fifth COVID-19 death". newsin.asia. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  75. ^ "162 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Sri Lanka". onlanka. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  76. ^ "Sri Lankan doctor dies of Coronavirus in England". Daily News. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  77. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 5th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  78. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID – 19 cases hits 175". News First. 5 April 2020. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  79. ^ "Sri Lanka confirms sixth COVID-19 death". News First. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  80. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 8th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  81. ^ "Seventh death reported due to coronavirus". Colombo Gazette. 8 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  82. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 10th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  83. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 12th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  84. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID – 19 infections rises to 214". News First. 13 April 2020. Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  85. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 15th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  86. ^ "15 people tested positive for COVID-19 in a single day in Sri Lanka". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  87. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 17th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  88. ^ "COVID-19 cases rise to 269; 15 patients tests positive". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 18 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  89. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 20th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  90. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 20th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  91. ^ "Sri Lanka COVID-19 cases rise sharply to 304 with 33 new cases in a single day". Colombo Page. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  92. ^ Jump up to: a b "30 sailors from Welisara Navy Camp tested positive for COVID-19". News First. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  93. ^ Jump up to: a b "60 people at the Welisara Navy Camp tested positive for COVID-19". News First. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  94. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 25th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  95. ^ "Corona infected Navy officers in Welisara have contracted with the Ja-Ela cases". www.lankanewsweb.net. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  96. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 26th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020.
  97. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 27th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  98. ^ "Sri Lanka records more than 500 COVID-19 cases". News First. Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  99. ^ "COVID-19 positive cases and recoveries on the rise". News First. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  100. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 29th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  101. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 30th April 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  102. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 1st May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  103. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 2nd May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  104. ^ "Coronavirus: Positive cases exceed 700". Ceylon Today. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  105. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 3rd May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  106. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 4th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  107. ^ "8th COVID-19 death reported in Sri Lanka". Epidemiology Unit. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  108. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 5th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  109. ^ "Coronavirus update: Sri Lanka reports 9th COVID-19 death, cases rise to 760". Colombo Page. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
  110. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID-19 infections reaches 771". News First. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  111. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 7th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  112. ^ "Covid-19 cases surpass 800 in SL". The Morning. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  113. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 8th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  114. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 9th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
  115. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 10th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  116. ^ "COVID-19 cases rise to 847". News First. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  117. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 11th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  118. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 12th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  119. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 13th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  120. ^ "COVID-19 cases rise to 915". News First. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  121. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 15th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  122. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 16th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  123. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID-19 cases rises to 949". News First. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  124. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 17th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  125. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 18th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  126. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 19th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  127. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 20th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
  128. ^ "COVID-19 cases in the country rise to 1027". News First. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  129. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 21st May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  130. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 22nd May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
  131. ^ "COVID-19 cases stands at 1055". News First. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  132. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 23rd May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  133. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 24th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  134. ^ "Total COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka at 1,089". News First. 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  135. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 25th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  136. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 26th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  137. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID-19 infections reach 1206". News First. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  138. ^ "Director General of Health Services confirms 10th COVID-19 death in Sri Lanka". News First. 25 May 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  139. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID-19 cases hits 1278 after record daily infections". News First. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  140. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 27th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  141. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 28th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  142. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 29th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  143. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 30th May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  144. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 31st May 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  145. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 1 June 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  146. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 2 June 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  147. ^ "Sri Lanka registers its 11th COVID-19 death". News First. June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  148. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 3 June 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  149. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 4 June 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  150. ^ "COVID-19 daily report on 5 June 2020" (PDF). Epidemiology Unit. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  151. ^ "Police curfew imposed in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda Police jurisdictions". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 4 October 2020. Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  152. ^ "Sri Lanka struck hard as COVID-19 starts global second wave". island.lk. 11 October 2020. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020.
  153. ^ "67 SL migrant workers have died from COVID-19: SLBFE". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  154. ^ "Factory where Covid-19 patient found prioritizes safety of workers, their families". Hiru News. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  155. ^ "Kelaniya University and several institutes in Gampaha closed: UGC". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  156. ^ "Hela Clothing's employee tests positive". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  157. ^ Jump up to: a b "Curfew in Gampaha will remain for few days". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  158. ^ "51 new COVID-19 cases reported on Monday - 1900 hours". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  159. ^ "South Asia Textiles employee tests positive for COVID-19". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  160. ^ "12 employees of Kandana LECO office test positive for COVID-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  161. ^ "120 persons arrested for violating curfew - 37 vehicles in police custody". Hiru News. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  162. ^ Jump up to: a b "COVID-19 cases in Minuwangoda cluster reaches 1446". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  163. ^ "Five monks from Mathugama also test positive for Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  164. ^ "Covid-19 patient reported within Kahathuduwa Hirdaramani apparel factory". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  165. ^ "All departing passengers from SL to undergo PCR tests". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  166. ^ "Payment of Rs. 5,000 each to affected families in the Gampaha District where quarantine curfew is in effect - Ministry of Finance". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 18 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  167. ^ "Shopping complex in Negombo closed after couple tests positive for COVID-19". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  168. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "50 dock-workers placed in quarantine". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  169. ^ "SIU Police Officer exposed to COVID-19; 300 personnel moved to quarantine". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  170. ^ "Curfew imposed in Kuliyapitiya until further notice". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  171. ^ "Vehicles travelling on Colombo-Kandy road not allowed to stop in curfew areas". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  172. ^ "30 families in Pannalas placed under quarantine". CeylonToday. Retrieved 25 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  173. ^ "COVID-19 recoveries increased to 3,644". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  174. ^ "Fort Police Station re-opened". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  175. ^ "Kandakadu Hospital constructed by Army to be given to Health Authorities". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  176. ^ "Peliyagoda Fish Market closed after 49 test positive for Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  177. ^ "Four police officers at Bambalapitiya Police sent for self-quarantine". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  178. ^ "Quarantine Curfew in Kotahena from 6pm - UPDATE". Daily News. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  179. ^ "Several areas in the Kalutara District named as isolated areas". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 21 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  180. ^ "13 districts affected by COVID-19, high possibility of spreading into other districts: Dr Samaraweera". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  181. ^ Jump up to: a b c "609 new COVID-19 cases reported; 496 from Peliyagoda Fish Market". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  182. ^ "30 hospitals, 3500 beds allocated for COVID-19 treatments". Daily News. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  183. ^ "Should go for immediate zonal lockdown after identifying virus spreading areas: GMOA". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  184. ^ "45 Custom Officers Quarantined; COVID-19 scare closes Galle Post Office". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  185. ^ "More than 400,000 PCR tests carried out so far in Sri Lanka". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  186. ^ "Beruwala fisheries harbour closed after COVID-19 cases detected". Daily News. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  187. ^ "Fish markets and fishing harbors in many areas closed due to Peliyagoda Covid cluster (Video)". Hiru News. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  188. ^ Jump up to: a b "COVID-19 cases top 850 on Friday as new cluster emerges". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  189. ^ Jump up to: a b "Quarantine Curfew is currently in effect across 49 Police Areas". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  190. ^ "Man dies while waiting to undergo PCR test". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  191. ^ "Nugegoda Weekly Fair temporarily closed". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  192. ^ "WHO informs availability of COVID-19 vaccine shortly: Pavithra". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  193. ^ "Restrictions imposed on entry to Dalada Maligawa temple". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  194. ^ "Quarantine Curfew in Gothatuwa, Mulleriyawa from 7pm". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  195. ^ "COVID-19: an employee of Shangri-la hotel Colombo tests positive". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  196. ^ "COVID-19 case detected from the Hilton Hotel Colombo". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  197. ^ "Manning Market closed till Nov. 1". Daily News. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  198. ^ "Hilton, Galle Face Hotels temporarily suspended operations". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  199. ^ "Curfew imposed in Fort, Pettah, Borella, Welikada Police areas". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  200. ^ "Special police teams deployed to arrest curfew violators". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  201. ^ "70-year-old male dies reporting 16th Covid-19 death". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  202. ^ Mudugamuwa, Ishara. "Number of COVID-19 patients -7,521; recoveries increase to 3,803". Daily News. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  203. ^ "10 STF personnel positive for Covid-19: Three STF camps isolated". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  204. ^ "Fishermen complain over stocks lying in harbours shut due to COVID-19". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  205. ^ "Sri Lanka confirms three COVID-19 deaths in a single day". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  206. ^ "Quarantine curfew in four more police jurisdictions". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  207. ^ "No shortage in facilities at quarantine centres: Army Commander". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  208. ^ "Quarantine curfew in WP on Oct. 30, 31 and Nov.1". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  209. ^ "15 police officers test positive for Covid-19 in WP". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  210. ^ "Two persons at Elephant House Head office test positive for Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  211. ^ "Do not visit Nuwara Eliya during long weekend due to COVID-19". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  212. ^ "Parliament will only meet on 03rd Nov, next week due to COVID-19". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  213. ^ "People leaving Colombo could result in a surge in COVID-19 cases". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  214. ^ "State Institutions told to implement 'work from home' system". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  215. ^ "Wilgoda in Kurunegala, isolated & PCR tests carried out due COVID-19 concerns". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 30 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  216. ^ "Total Covid-19 in Sri Lanka surpass 10,000 mark". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  217. ^ "12,106 PCR tests conducted yesterday; highest in a single day". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  218. ^ "Seven Police officers at Borella Police Station test positive for COVID-19". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  219. ^ "Quarantine Curfew re-imposed for the Western Province". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  220. ^ "Why was suicide victim added COVID-19 death toll? Epidemiologists Explain". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  221. ^ "8 more officers at Borella Police test positive for Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  222. ^ "22nd COVID-19 related death reported". CeylonToday. Retrieved 10 November 2020.[permanent dead link]
  223. ^ "Isurupaya closed following detection of COVID-19 case". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  224. ^ "Rs. 7.3 Billion spent in October for COVID-19 relief purposes". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  225. ^ "Six inmates and a prison officer at Welikada Prison test positive for COVID-19". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  226. ^ "05 COVID-19 deaths reported in Sri Lanka; Total 29 COVID-19 deaths". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  227. ^ "75 Customs officials under quarantine, after eight test positive". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  228. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID-19 tally reaches 12,570". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  229. ^ "7 more prison inmates test positive with Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  230. ^ "Health Ministry issues new COVID-19 health guidelines". CeylonToday. Retrieved 10 November 2020.[permanent dead link]
  231. ^ "235 Police officers in WP contract Covid-19: Six recovered". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  232. ^ "Sri Lanka to vaccinate frontline staff against Covid-19 from Jan 28: President". EconomyNext. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  233. ^ "Lion at Dehiwala Zoo tests COVID positive". Daily News. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  234. ^ Farzan, Z. (18 June 2021). "Lion at Dehiwala Zoo tests COVID positive; Immediate treatment being provided". News First. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  235. ^ "Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa family tightens grip with ministerial picks". Al Jazeera. 9 July 2021. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021. On Thursday, the total confirmed COVID-19 infections in the country increased to 268,676 and the death toll was 3,351, according to health ministry data.
  236. ^ "4000 sailors and their families quarantine at Welisara Navy Camp". Newsfirst. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  237. ^ "Covid-19 sailors at Welisara Navy Camp: Navy request public not to panic". Daily Mirror. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  238. ^ "Welisara navy camp declared isolated area: Navy spokesman". economynext. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  239. ^ "206 Sri Lanka Navy sailors and contacts tested positive for COVID-19; DG Health Services". economynext. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  240. ^ "Welisara Navy COVID 19 "cluster" has yielded 206 patients, as total reaches 596". economynext. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  241. ^ "Another Welikada Prison inmate tests positive for Covid-19". Ada Derana. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  242. ^ "Kandakadu cluster's number of Coronavirus positive patients rises to 560". economy next. 20 July 2020.
  243. ^ "Sri Lanka closes schools after Covid-19 patient found from the community". EconomyNext. 4 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  244. ^ "Police curfew imposed in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  245. ^ Srinivasan, Meera (5 October 2020). "Sri Lanka sees a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  246. ^ "Final decision on Gr. 05 Scholarship and A/Level exams tomorrow; Education Minister". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  247. ^ "Sri Lanka new Coronavirus cluster tops 100; Gampaha residents urged to stay home". EconomyNext. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  248. ^ "Brandix Cluster Could be the Worst". CeylonToday. Retrieved 6 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  249. ^ "Sri Lanka records sharp rise in COVID-19 cases from new cluster". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  250. ^ "139 new COVID-19 cases from Minuwangoda Factory cluster". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  251. ^ "Asia Today: Sri Lanka confirms 321 cases in factory cluster". Associated Press. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  252. ^ "Curfew in only Gampaha police area, previous announcement reversed: police". EconomyNext. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  253. ^ "Employee at Welisara Brandix tests COVID-19 positive". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  254. ^ "Gr. 05 & A/Level exams will take place as scheduled". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  255. ^ "Sri Lanka : Coronavirus Update: Minuwangoda garment factory COVID-19 cluster rises to 1044". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  256. ^ "16 COVID-19 cases confirmed from other districts excluding Gampaha". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  257. ^ "COVID-19 cases from Minuwangoda cluster increased to 1,053". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  258. ^ "103 more Covid-19 cases reported".
  259. ^ "More than 120 COVID-19 cases reported on Sunday(11th Oct)". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  260. ^ "Intelligence Services located second tier contacts of COVID-19 cases". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  261. ^ "Brandix's Indian visitors blamed for new COVID-19 cluster: Opposition". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  262. ^ "Brandix clears the air on Minuwangoda Covid-19 cluster". 7 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  263. ^ "Brandix Brought Down 60 Workers from India". CeylonToday. Archived from the original on 25 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  264. ^ "Brandix says no party from India or any other country had access to Minuwangoda facility". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  265. ^ Vyshnavy (8 October 2020). "ICBT student contracts virus". Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  266. ^ "Student visited ICBT Colombo campus on 4th of October has tested positive for Covid". NewsWire. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  267. ^ "J'Pura Uni. student tests positive for COVID-19; 20 nurses from Panadura ICU directed to PCR". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  268. ^ "Covid at University: Another student at J'pura test positive - Two students in Ruhuna quarantined". Hiru News. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  269. ^ "Kelaniya University student tests positive for COVID-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  270. ^ "Ruhuna University student's father test positive for coronavirus, student and friend quarantined". Hiru News. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  271. ^ "Covid update:3 minor staff of the Colombo National Hospital tested positive for Covid-19". Hiru News. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  272. ^ "Katunayake Investment Zone: 7 more confirmed for coronavirus the total cluster increases to 25". Hiru News. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  273. ^ "102 COVID-19 patients in Katunayake-Seeduwa zone". Ada Derana. 13 October 2020. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020.
  274. ^ "Sri Lanka's COVID-19 cases jump to 6,896, with 609 more daily infections - China.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  275. ^ "Peliyagoda Fish Market closed after 49 test positive for Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  276. ^ "609 more test positive for COVID-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  277. ^ "Sri Lanka locks down two villages in Mannar to contain Coronavirus". EconomyNext. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  278. ^ "12 employees of LECO in Kandana infected with coronavirus". Hiru News. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  279. ^ "SriLankan Cargo operations worker tests positive for COVID-19". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  280. ^ "Seven at Brandix Kollupitiya test positive for COVID-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
  281. ^ "Two naval officers test positive for Covid-19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  282. ^ "Sri Lanka to follow self-quarantine measures to contain COVID-19 spread". EconomyNext. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  283. ^ "16th March declared a Public, Bank and Mercantile holiday". Hiru News. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  284. ^ "Sri Lanka : Coronavirus Update: Sri Lanka declares Monday a public holiday as COVID-19 spreads". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  285. ^ "March 16 declared a holiday". Sunday Observer. 14 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  286. ^ "President proposes collective SAARC response to fight COVID–19". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  287. ^ "Concrete decisions to prevent spread of COVID – 19". Daily News. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  288. ^ ""Grant Public Holiday for one week & shut down all port of entries to the country for two weeks" GMOA". News Wire. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  289. ^ "Sri Lanka Coronavirus battle stepped up, travel bans, holidays extended as infections rise". EconomyNext. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  290. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lankan government declares three-day special public holiday to contain COVID-19 spread". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  291. ^ "COVID-19 has not reached full SL quarantine level : President". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  292. ^ "Sri Lanka orders credit relief, tightens border controls to combat Coronavirus". EconomyNext. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  293. ^ "24 Hospitals in Sri Lanka ready to battle COVID-19 emergency". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  294. ^ "20–27 March declared a 'work from home' period". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  295. ^ "Sri Lanka turning ex-Voice of America relay station into COVID-19 hospital". EconomyNext. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  296. ^ "Sri Lanka- Public cautioned on use of Chloroquine". menafn.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  297. ^ "Sri Lanka sets up special COVID-19 fund with open invitation for local & foreign donations". EconomyNext. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  298. ^ "President announces relief measures to the people amid COVID-19". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  299. ^ "COVID-19: Social distancing & options for home-delivered groceries in Sri Lanka". ReadMe. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  300. ^ "With the curfew being removed, shops and sales outlets fill with consumers". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  301. ^ "Sri Lanka's PickMe Food pilots grocery delivery in Colombo with Sathosa". EconomyNext. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  302. ^ Nathaniel, Camelia. "Govt. to home deliver essential commodities". Daily News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  303. ^ "Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts declared as high-risk zones – Curfew indefinitely". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  304. ^ "Sri Lanka police warns of "hidden" COVID-19 cases, requests limited lifting of curfew". EconomyNext. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  305. ^ "Sri Lanka extends Coronavirus curfews, work from home till Apr 03, to bottle Covid-19 with the count at 106". EconomyNext. 27 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  306. ^ "Central Bank of Sri Lanka, banks, Treasury, insurers essential services in Coronavirus curfew". EconomyNext. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  307. ^ "இலங்கையில் தீவிரமடையும் கொரோனா! மீண்டும் நாடாளுமன்றத்தை கூட்ட தயாராகும் ஜனாதிபதி". Tamilwin (in Tamil). 28 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  308. ^ Srinivasan, Meera (24 March 2020). "Mahinda convenes all-party meet on COVID-19 preparedness". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  309. ^ "Sri Lankan PM calls for political parties to unite to curb COVID-19 spread". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  310. ^ "New Isolation Hospital, Improvised by Army Troops in Record Time Opened for Use". www.asiantribune.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  311. ^ Rizwie, Rukshana. "A dastardly attempt sabotage COVID-19 campaign". Daily News. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  312. ^ "PM responds to RW's concerns: "President still has powers to release funds from consolidated fund after 30th March"". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  313. ^ Srinivasan, Meera (30 March 2020). "Coronavirus | Opposition urges Sri Lankan govt. to reconvene Parliament". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  314. ^ "Sri Lanka to relax COVID-19 curfew on May 11". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  315. ^ "Sri Lanka : Resumption of civilian life and office work to begin from May 11". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  316. ^ "Hair salons to open in Sri Lanka as coronavirus lockdown set to lift". outlookindia.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  317. ^ "Only haircuts, no shaving; health ministry tells salons". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  318. ^ "Sri Lanka barbers seeking towels, salons struggling to obey Covid-19 rules". EconomyNext. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  319. ^ "Sri Lanka to issue guidelines to reopen beauty parlors, barber shops". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  320. ^ "Sri Lanka general election voting picking up after slow start, Colombo 26-pct officials officials". EconomyNext. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  321. ^ "Sri Lanka : Polling begins for Sri Lanka parliamentary elections amid coronavirus fears". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  322. ^ "Sri Lanka's election chief assures voter safety on eve of parliamentary election". Xinhua. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  323. ^ "Sri Lanka Parliamentary Elections 2020: Sri Lankans, wearing masks, flock to voting centres for parliament election". The Times of India. Reuters. 5 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  324. ^ Jump up to: a b "Hakeem calls cremation of Muslim COVID19 victim "reprehensible"". EconomyNext. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  325. ^ "Responses from the Muslim community to Rauf Hakeem". Hiru News. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  326. ^ "Anguish as Sri Lanka forces Muslims to cremate COVID-19 victims". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  327. ^ "Probe sought on leaked letter about Health Ministry seeking 1000 body bags". www.dailymirror.lk.
  328. ^ Slater, Joanna (12 February 2021). "In Sri Lanka, a unique pandemic trauma: Forced cremations". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  329. ^ "Covid-19: Sri Lanka chooses remote island for burials". BBC News. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  330. ^ Farzan, Zulfick (2 March 2021). "COVID dead will be buried in Iranathivu Island". Newsfirst.lk. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  331. ^ Indrakumar, Menaka. "Jaffna churchgoers asked to self-quarantine after pastor gets COVID-19". Daily News. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  332. ^ "Worshippers who attended Jaffna church service asked to quarantine". Colombo Gazette. 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  333. ^ "Pastor tests positive for coronavirus after church service in Jaffna". www.tamilguardian.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  334. ^ "Attendees of a Jaffna mass urged to contact authorities after pastor tested positive". www.dailymirror.lk. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  335. ^ "Those Attended Special Prayers At A Church In Ariyalai Wanted". www.asiantribune.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  336. ^ "Jaffna Philadelphia Church parishioners asked to self-quarantine after Pastor gets COVID19". EconomyNext. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  337. ^ "3 dead and 9 injured in a stampede in Maligawatte; 6 arrested". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 21 May 2020. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  338. ^ "Three females died while nine others injured in a stampede in Maligawatte". Asian Tribune. Archived from the original on 29 May 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  339. ^ Rizwie, Rukshana. "3 dead in a stampede in Maligawatta during aid distribution". Daily News. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  340. ^ "மாளிகாவத்தையில் ஏற்பட்ட சன நெரிசலில் சிக்கி 3 பெண்கள் பலி". tamil.adaderana.lk (in Tamil). Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  341. ^ "Three dead in a stampede in Maligawatte during a relief distribution by private individuals (Video)". Hiru News. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
  342. ^ "Sri Lanka extends travel ban to eight more countries". Daily FT. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  343. ^ "Sri Lanka Coronavirus toll rises to 19, UK, Belgium Norway quarantine advanced". EconomyNext. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  344. ^ "Coronavirus: Sri Lanka border closed to UK visitors". BBC Sport. 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  345. ^ "Foreign travel advice (Sri Lanka)". UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  346. ^ "Travel restrictions – Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak". srilankan.com. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  347. ^ "Flight Cancellation Notices – Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak". srilankan.com. 26 March 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  348. ^ "Sri Lanka bars travelers from Qatar, Bahrain and Canada to control Coronavirus". EconomyNext. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  349. ^ "Aircraft not permitted to land at BIA for two weeks". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  350. ^ "Sri Lanka airports to suspend arrivals till March 25 – Updated". EconomyNext. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  351. ^ "Sri Lanka extends visas of all foreigners till April 12". EconomyNext. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  352. ^ "Sri Lanka bans entry to all passenger flights and ships". Colombo Gazette. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  353. ^ "Russian tour group allowed to enter SL; first to arrive after reopening airport: CASL Chief". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  354. ^ "Sri Lanka tightens repatriation after new Covid-19 strain Foreign Ministry says". EconomyNext. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  355. ^ "Sri Lanka wants to prosecute patient who delayed testing for COVID19". EconomyNext. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  356. ^ "Sri Lanka Police initiates legal action against a COVID 19 patient". 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  357. ^ "Quarantine escapees arrested by Police". Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  358. ^ "Dambulla Mayor arrested for organising bicycle race". Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  359. ^ "COVIDSL : Case filed against Ragama patient, Dambulla Mayor arrested, 20 arrested for going to sea". 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  360. ^ "Over 55,000 arrested in Sri Lanka for violating curfew". Xinhua. 15 May 2020. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020.
  361. ^ "Asia cracks down on coronavirus 'fake news'". The Straits Times. 10 April 2020.
  362. ^ "Police Curfew for Puttalam". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  363. ^ "Police curfew in Puttalam until further notice – (Video)". Hiru News. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  364. ^ "Sri Lanka declares curfew to fight Coronavirus in Puttalam". EconomyNext. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  365. ^ "Police curfew to be imposed in Wattala and Ja-Ela". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  366. ^ "Police curfew in Wattala, Ja-Ela as new COVID-19 patient found". EconomyNext. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  367. ^ "Island-wide curfew from 6pm today". EconomyNext. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  368. ^ "Sri Lanka in lockdown-style Coronavirus curfew as count moves to 66, markets wobble". EconomyNext. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  369. ^ "Sri Lanka extends curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam to Tue, Coronavirus count 77". EconomyNext. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  370. ^ "Sri Lanka banks to open 2 hours when Coronavirus curfew lifts, online banking urged". EconomyNext. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  371. ^ "Sri Lanka bans inter-district travel, curfew extended 3 days after break". EconomyNext. 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  372. ^ "Sri Lanka's Coronavirus count reaches 101, indefinite curfew for high risk districts". EconomyNext. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  373. ^ "Sri Lanka extends nationwide curfew to fight coronavirus pandemic". aljazeera. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  374. ^ "Curfew in Ratnapura, Pelmadulla police divisions until further notice". News First. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  375. ^ "Two villages in Beruwala isolated due to Covid-19 threat". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  376. ^ "Street in Hultsdorf closed down for COVID-19 fears". News First. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  377. ^ "Nagalagam Street in Grandpass Declared Isolated". News First. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  378. ^ "Navy Sailor identified as the first Covid19 patient from Polonnaruwa, 12 villages to be isolated". newswire. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
  379. ^ "Curfew in Uhana and Damana lifted – further restrictions on entry and exit". Hiru News. 24 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  380. ^ "Covid-19 cases detected from Havelock Lane & Torrington". News First. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  381. ^ "Havelock Lane, Dabare Mawatha, Torrington 60 watta isolated". Business News. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.[permanent dead link]
  382. ^ "Restrictions on Akurana, Beruwala areas relaxed". News First. 3 May 2020. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  383. ^ "Curfew declared in Nuwara Eliya as Thondaman's funeral cavalcade enters town". Economy Next. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  384. ^ "China extends concessionary loan to Sri Lanka to combat COVID-19". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  385. ^ "Sri Lanka : United States donates supplies to Sri Lanka to aid the fight against COVID-19". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  386. ^ "Chinese billionaire JackMa to give medical supplies to Sri Lanka to fight Coronavirus". EconomyNext. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  387. ^ "கொரோனாவால் தவிக்கும் இலங்கை... உதவிக்கரம் நீட்டிய உலகின் பெரும் பணக்காரர்". Lankasri News (in Tamil). 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  388. ^ "Sri Lanka : India gifts a 10-tonne consignment of medicines to Sri Lanka". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  389. ^ "Sri Lanka orders quarantine for Royal-Thomian revellers". EconomyNext. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  390. ^ "Sri Lanka tracking down Royal-Thomian match attendees who associated with UL pilot". NewsIn.Asia. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  391. ^ "Several attendees of Royal-Thomian big match go into self-quarantine". NewsIn.Asia. 17 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  392. ^ "கொரோனா... அஜாக்கிரதையாக இலங்கை மக்கள்! வேதனையுடன் புகைப்படத்தை வெளியிட்ட மஹேல". Lankasri News (in Tamil). 20 March 2020. Archived from the original on 26 May 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  393. ^ "As Coronavirus curfew lifts Sri Lanka retailers to restrict entry, limit panic buying". EconomyNext. 22 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  394. ^ "The official website of Sri Lanka Navy – Navy develops remote-controlled smart appliance to treat and test COVID-19 patients". news.navy.lk. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  395. ^ "Low-cost Medical Ventilator Manufactured by Vega Innovations to Support COVID-19 Outbreak – Vega.lk". Archived from the original on 23 May 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  396. ^ "Atlas invents robot to support medical personnel combating Coronavirus". Sunday Observer. 30 March 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  397. ^ Wickramasinghe, Kamanthi (2 April 2020). "COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka 'Help us to help you' request medics". Daily Mirror. Sri Lanka. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  398. ^ "NSF awards rapid response grants to support COVID-19 research". NSF. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  399. ^ "CRD innovative solutions to assist fight against COVID-19". Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  400. ^ "COVID-19 testing ramped up; SLINTEC produces homegrown solution". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  401. ^ "SLINTEC develops low-cost Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification kit to enhance COVID testing capacity". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  402. ^ "Navy brings shore Sri Lankan crew member on cruise ship". dailynews.lk. No. 6 April 2020. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Daily News. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  403. ^ "German woman who was evacuated from MSC Magnifica cruise ship dies". hirunews.lk. Hiru News. 14 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  404. ^ "Son of Sri Lankan coronavirus patient does not have virus". Colombo Gazette. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  405. ^ "Ananda College student does NOT have any symptoms of COVID-19". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  406. ^ "Police on alert over false COVID-19 reports". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  407. ^ "Panic buying empty supermarkets; govt assures uninterrupted supply". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  408. ^ "Sri Lanka supermarket sales up in Coronavirus panic buying". EconomyNext. 14 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  409. ^ "No fuel shortage in Sri Lanka, rumors are false : Power & Energy Ministry". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  410. ^ "Public assured no shortage of essential drugs in Sri Lanka". Colombo Gazette. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  411. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lankan government says no house-to-house quarantine, requests public not to panic and stockpile goods". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  412. ^ "Fonseka says his comment on coronavirus is a mistake". www.adaderana.lk. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  413. ^ "A lesson from Professor Jayasumana to Sajith on pharmaceuticals". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  414. ^ ""If I had made any incorrect or misleading statements regarding this issue, I take this opportunity to profusely apologize" Sajith Premadasa". Newswire. 23 March 2020. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  415. ^ "Sri Lanka's cautionary tale of pandemics and sorcery". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  416. ^ "[Video]"I Am Kali: I Am Your Mother": Sri Lanka's Witch Doctor Dhammika Bandara Tells Chief Prelate Of Atamasthanaya". asianmirror.lk. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  417. ^ "Thousands in Sri Lanka drink 'miracle' COVID potion, minister ill". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
  418. ^ "Clinical trials finally concluded that :Dhammika Paniya': not a cure for COVID 19 -". 2 May 2021. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  419. ^ "My Syrup is a spiritual cure won't work if patients consume Maldive fish; Dhammika Bandara rejects committee findings - (Video)". NewsHub. 6 May 2021. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  420. ^ "'Will continue to produce syrup; Govt. has given me a permit' - Dhammika Bandara". NewsHub. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
  421. ^ "කරාපිටියේ වෛද්‍යවරයා සොයාගත් කොරෝනා බෙහෙත බොරුවක්. මුදල් ගරන ජාවාරමක්". Rata.lk. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  422. ^ "University of Ruhuna requests the public not to get misled by the Karapitiya name attached to the Medicine Produced by Dr Udara Sampath Gunawardena against COVID19". Lankaxpress. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  423. ^ "Four patients test positive for Covid −19 from Anuradhapura – total confirmed 76". Hiru News. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  424. ^ "Prisoner dead two injured in Anuradhapura prison". EconomyNext. 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  425. ^ "Update: Shooting at Anuradhapura prison; 2 dead, 6 hospitalized". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 22 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  426. ^ "Sri Lanka : Two inmates killed, six more injured in shooting at Anuradhapura Prison during unrest". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  427. ^ "Sri Lanka coronavirus prison riot leaves eight dead, over 50 wounded". CNN. Reuters. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  428. ^ Irshad, Qadijah (30 November 2020). "Eight die in Sri Lankan prison riot sparked by surging coronavirus outbreak". The Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 29 January 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  429. ^ Nadeera, Dilshan (30 November 2020). "Mahara prison riot: four killed, 26 injured". Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  430. ^ "Sri Lankan prison riot leaves 6 inmates dead, 35 injured". The Hindu. 30 November 2020. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  431. ^ "'Nagitimu Sri Lanka' captures the heart of a nation". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  432. ^ "Sri Lanka's General Election postponed till country is freed from COVID-19". NewsIn.Asia. 19 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  433. ^ "Sri Lanka's General Election postponed: Until the polls Country comes under Election Commission". www.asiantribune.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  434. ^ "President tells SAARC leaders April election will go ahead". Colombo Gazette. 15 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  435. ^ "Sri Lankan election commission asks president to seek court opinion on parliamentary election delay".
  436. ^ "General election debate: Commissioner Hoole responds to president's secretary Jayasundara | Sri Lanka Brief". Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  437. ^ "President's Secretary responds to Election Commission on the warning of Constitutional Crisis". lankanewsweb.net. 9 April 2020. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  438. ^ "r/DDnews - Mahinda Rajapaksa says EC has no authority to postpone General Election without fixing an alternate date". reddit.
  439. ^ "Mahinda Rajapaksa says EC has no authority to postpone General Election without fixing an alternate date | DD News". ddnews.gov.in.
  440. ^ Srinivasan, Meera (21 April 2020). "Sri Lanka EC announces polls on June 20; Opposition voices concern". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  441. ^ "Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections fixed for August 5". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  442. ^ "Sri Lanka Parliamentary General Election to be held on Aug 5". EconomyNext. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  443. ^ "Sri Lanka's General Election on August 05". www.adaderana.lk. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  444. ^ "Sri Lanka gears up for delayed polls amid pandemic". Arab News. 2 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  445. ^ "Sri Lanka's parliamentary elections will hold lessons for India's Election Commission ahead of Bihar polls". The Indian Express. 3 August 2020. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  446. ^ "Coronavirus hits South Asia travel as Sri Lanka halts pilgrimages to India". EconomyNext. 11 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  447. ^ "Sri Lanka's air and water quality improves amidst ongoing curfew". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  448. ^ "Government schools to be closed till April". colombogazette.com. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  449. ^ "Sri Lanka shuts schools over virus rumours". EconomyNext. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  450. ^ "Coronavirus pandemic: Sri Lanka schools close for five weeks". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2020.
  451. ^ "Schools closed till April 20th, No tution [sic] classes till March 26th". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 12 March 2020. Archived from the original on 18 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  452. ^ "Schools to reopen on May 11". 11 April 2020.
  453. ^ "Schools to re-open for students from July 6". Daily News. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  454. ^ "A/L exam on Sept 7, Grade 5 scholarship exam on Sept 13". Sunday Observer. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  455. ^ "Academic activities resume at schools today: Ministry of Education". News First. 6 July 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  456. ^ "Sri Lanka closes schools again as risk of Covid-19 rises". Union of Catholic Asian News Limited. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  457. ^ "Gr. 05 & A/Level exams will take place as scheduled". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  458. ^ "Final decision on Gr. 05 Scholarship and A/Level exams tomorrow; Education Minister". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  459. ^ "A/L and Scholarship exam candidates asked to submit details". Daily News. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  460. ^ "Sri Lanka- Mass gatherings banned for two weeks". menafn.com. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  461. ^ "All cinema theatres closed until further notice". Daily News. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  462. ^ "Sri Lanka Planetarium closed until further notice". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  463. ^ "Sri Lanka stock close at new 8-year low on Coronavirus fears". EconomyNext. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  464. ^ "Colombo Stock Exchange Halts Trading for the Third Day". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  465. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka Central Bank maintains policy interest rates to stabilize inflation amid COVID-19 outbreak". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  466. ^ "Central Bank keeps rates unchanged". Daily News. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  467. ^ "Central Bank eases key rates to support ailing economy amidst COVID-19 Pandemic spread". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  468. ^ "Sri Lanka Central Bank eases monetary policy further to support economic activity". Lanka Business Online. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 17 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  469. ^ "Central Bank eases monetary policy to support economic activity". Colombo Gazette. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  470. ^ "Sri Lanka cuts rates 25bp, reserve ratio 100 in emergency move over Coronavirus". EconomyNext. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  471. ^ "Sri Lanka Central Bank Governor asks markets to remain calm". EconomyNext. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  472. ^ "CSE to resume trading tomorrow". Sri Lanka News – Newsfirst. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  473. ^ "Sri Lanka's Colombo Stock Exchange to open on May 11 as curfews relax". EconomyNext. 9 May 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  474. ^ "Sri Lanka : CSE to recommence trading on Monday". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  475. ^ "Sri Lanka : Central Bank requests banks to open at least two hours on Monday". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  476. ^ "Sri Lanka : Government requests all banks to open for a brief period when curfew lifted". www.colombopage.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  477. ^ "Sri Lanka likely to record negative economic growth this year". www.dailymirror.lk. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  478. ^ "Sri Lanka's Commercial Bank says ready to help customers worst hit by COVID-19". EconomyNext. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  479. ^ "Sri Lanka: Fishermen unable to sell their catch amid lockdown". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  480. ^ "Four Priorities to Accelerate Economic Transformation and Poverty Reduction in Sri Lanka". World Bank. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  481. ^ Jump up to: a b de Soysa, Minoli; Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (2 January 2022). "'There is no money left': Covid crisis leaves Sri Lanka on brink of bankruptcy". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  482. ^ "மீண்டும் பாரிய சரிவை சந்தித்த இலங்கை ரூபாவின் பெறுமதி". Tamilwin (in Tamil). 27 March 2020. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  483. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka rupee slides over Rs. 200 against dollar".
  484. ^ "Selling rate of US dollar exceeds Rs.200 mark". 8 April 2020.
  485. ^ "Several SL Blue-chip firms announce pay cuts to manage Covid-19 hidden costs". Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
  486. ^ "JKH goes for pay cuts; freezes hiring to cope with COVID-19 crisis | Daily FT".
  487. ^ "Several top-notch corporates announce pay cuts to manage costs during pandemic". 8 April 2020.
  488. ^ "Liqour stores closed-down until further notice". 28 April 2020. Archived from the original on 27 April 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2020.
  489. ^ "All liquor shops closed until further notice". 28 April 2020. Archived from the original on 28 September 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  490. ^ "Sri Lanka : Liquor shops will continue to be closed despite relaxing curfew from Monday". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  491. ^ "Sri Lanka GDP to shrink 6.7-pct in 2020, Maldives 19.5-pct: World Bank". EconomyNext. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  492. ^ "SL trade deficit shrinks by $ 1 b". www.ft.lk. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  493. ^ "Sri Lanka forex reserves drop to US$6,652mn in September 2020". EconomyNext. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  494. ^ "Sri Lanka stocks close 0.05-pct lower". EconomyNext. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.[permanent dead link]
  495. ^ "Sri Lanka Coronavirus cases go up, authorities try to keep people at home". EconomyNext. 15 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  496. ^ Karunaratne, Chandima. "Do not conduct Masses till March end – Cardinal". Daily News. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  497. ^ "Muslim Community are requested to temporarily stop Jummah prayers & congregational prayers". Hiru News. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  498. ^ "ACJU requests to temporarily stop prayers". Daily News. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  499. ^ "Sri Lanka imposes curfew as South Asia steps up coronavirus battle". Reuters. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  500. ^ "ACJU Condemns the Performance of Religious Activities Congregationally and Spreading of False Rumours". Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  501. ^ "Sri Lanka police arrest thousands for violating coronavirus curfew". Mainichi Daily News. 28 March 2020. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  502. ^ "Sri Lanka offers Buddhist prayers to combat Covid-19". India Today. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  503. ^ "England cricketers to ditch handshake for 'fist pump' over virus". The Statesman. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  504. ^ "Coronavirus: No Handshakes, Only Fist Bumps For England Players In Sri Lanka". NDTVSports.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  505. ^ Martin, Ali (11 March 2020). "England ban selfies and autographs but keep batting status quo in Sri Lanka". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 12 March 2020. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  506. ^ "England tour of Sri Lanka cancelled amid COVID-19 spread". ESPN Cricinfo. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  507. ^ "Coronavirus: England Test series in Sri Lanka called-off". BBC Sport. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  508. ^ "England tour of Sri Lanka cancelled amid COVID-19 spread". ESPN Cricinfo. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  509. ^ "England Men's Test tour of Sri Lanka confirmed". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  510. ^ "Sri Lanka v England: Two-Test tour rearranged for January". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  511. ^ "Coronavirus: All domestic cricket in Sri Lanka postponed". ESPNcricinfo. 21 March 2020. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  512. ^ "South Africa's June tour of Sri Lanka postponed". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  513. ^ "CSA and SLC jointly announce postponement of Proteas Tour to Sri Lanka". Cricket South Africa. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
  514. ^ "BCB CEO: SLC says Bangladesh need one week quarantine in Sri Lanka". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  515. ^ "Bangladesh team will need to quarantine for one week in Sri Lanka before the start of Tests series, says BCB". Firstpost. 13 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  516. ^ "BCB president Nazmul Hassan says no to SLC's 14-day quarantine requirement". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  517. ^ "Sri Lanka Cricket proposes split quarantine to Bangladesh Cricket Board". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  518. ^ "Quarantine duration: Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka gets postponed again". The New Indian Express. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  519. ^ "Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka postponed again as stalemate over quarantine continues". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  520. ^ "Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka postponed again". Sport Star. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  521. ^ "Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka postponed after disagreement on health regulations". Colombo Gazette. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  522. ^ "India women to tour Sri Lanka - pending quarantine regulations". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  523. ^ "Quarantine rules delay Sri Lanka Premier League". France 24. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  524. ^ "Inaugural Lanka Premier League postponed to November 21". The New Indian Express. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  525. ^ "Sri Lanka Premier League Draft Postponed After Coronavirus Outbreak". NDTV Sports. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  526. ^ "Lanka Premier League player draft rescheduled". 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  527. ^ "Sri Lanka Premier League draft postponed after virus outbreak". France 24. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  528. ^ "Sri Lanka receives 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from India". The Hindu. PTI. 25 February 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  529. ^ "All MPs to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting today (16)". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 16 February 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
  530. ^ "Sri Lanka eyes 3mn Sinopharm Covid-19 doses to ramp up Coronavirus vaccination drive". EconomyNext. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  531. ^ "Coronavirus | Sri Lanka approves Pfizer COVID vaccine for emergency use". thehindu.com. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  532. ^ "The Latest: Sri Lanka receives 1st batch of Sputnik V shots". abcnews.go.com. 4 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  533. ^ "Sri Lanka approves Pfizer COVID vaccine for emergency use". Reuters. 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  534. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka Police arrest activists protesting outside US embassy disregarding court order". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  535. ^ "20 people detained for George Floyd protest outside US embassy in Sri Lanka". The Times of India. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  536. ^ "Watch Video: Police crack whip against anti US protesters in Sri Lanka". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 9 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=COVID-19_pandemic_in_Sri_Lanka&oldid=1229614299"