Opposition leader tests positive for asymptomatic COVID-19
COLOMBO – Leader of Sri Lanka’s main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sajith Premadasa, and his wife Jalan,i have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been admitted to hospital.
Premadasa tweeted on Sunday (23) that while his wife is being treated for her symptoms, he remains asymptomatic.
“Yesterday, my wife was admitted to hospital with symptoms of COVID-19. She subsequently tested positive having done a PCR.
“Following Health Guidelines, I did a PCR as well and was informed a short while ago that I too, have tested positive,” he tweeted.
Noting that leading the opposition’s role in ensuring the safety of the people during these extremely difficult times, remains his priority, he assured he would continue to do his part in the united effort. He urged the public to remain safe, and follow all Health Guidelines & Strictures as “we fight this wave together, as a nation” adding, “We can beat this.”
Meanwhile, officials said contact tracing was underway in Parliament to locate, test and isolate those who were likely to have coming into contact with Premadsa. They said CCTV cameras are being used to determine who would have interacted with the opposition leader, noting that health guidelines were strictly enforced during last week’s sitting.
However, critics noted that some legislators had been observed with their face mask on their chin, while many had failed to maintain the stipulated social distance.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader took part in a protest outside Parliament last week and there is a suspicion he may have contracted the virus during the protest.
In related development, Sri Lanka on Sunday recorded 2,959 new cases of COVID-19 and 3e virus-related deaths, indicating a marginal drop in caseloads and fatalities both of which peaked for most part last week, prompting the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID- 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) to issue a notice urging those over 55 with breathing problems and suspected COVID-19 symptoms to seek immediate medical treatment.
Sunday’s confirmations, all linked to the New Year cluster, take Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 tally to 164,201.with 34, 889 deemed active cases receiving treatment at various designated hospitals and hotels across the country. The 32 deaths reported from across the country take the fatality count to 1210.
-ENCL