WEB DESK

Three cases of COVID-19 were registered today in Sri Lanka, bringing the total number of active cases in the country to 126. The island nation recorded maximum number of 21 positive cases yesterday since the outbreak early last month. Two persons have died of the virus so far while another 18 have been treated and discharged. A total of 231 persons are under observation in hospitals. Sri Lankan Government has said the countrywide curfew in place since 20th of last month, will continue till further notice. It announced that the validity period of all categories of visas for all foreigners currently in Sri Lanka will be extended until 12th of May. Sri Lankan airlines has decided to suspend all its passenger flights from the 8th till end of this month. Passenger arrivals have already been banned to fight the outbreak.

Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to pursue the international financial organizations and lending nations to help developing countries adversely affected by COVID- 19 calamity. In a telephone conversation with WHO DG Tedros Adhanom, President Rajapaksa requested him to pursue the matter with IMF, World Bank and leaders of leading bilateral lending nations to provide debt moratorium for vulnerable developing countries like Sri Lanka whose economies depend on tourism, exports, remittances and foreign investment.