Apr 04, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government has decided to take all the decisions in implementing the COVID-19 Coronavirus Prevention Program according to the advice of the experts in the relevant fields.

A discussion was held at the Presidential Secretariat today under the patronage of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to review the progress of the program implemented by the government to control the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Dr Anuruddha Padeniya, President of Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) analyzed the manner this virus had affected the country geographically and the Government’s actions to control the epidemic.

In a subsequent exchange of opinions, it was noted that the Government’s timely actions from when this virus first entered the country helped manage to keep the situation under control.

It was also noted at the discussion, that the steps adapted henceforth had helped officials to correctly identify both the infected and those who had been compromised due to associating the infected. However, it was also perceived that the danger is yet to pass.

The government will continue to take action to control the virus as it has done so far, based on the knowledge and recommendations of experts in the relevant fields, including health, medical, defense and law.

It was also decided to study and follow the recommendations being periodically made by the World Health Organization (WHO) observing the global prevalence of the disease.

It was observed that except for the few districts identified as high risk zones where the most number of COVID-19 patients were found, the spread of the virus at present does not pose a threat to the other districts. Therefore, there is a possibility that the current restrictions imposed on these districts could be lifted by the end of the Sinhala New Year season.

It was agreed at the meeting to properly continue the ongoing Coronation Prevention Program as it is until the situation is better.

It was also decided that the infected persons, the persons suspected of having contracted the virus and their associates should be subjected to rigorous testing repeatedly. Other countries that have succeeded in controlling the epidemic have followed such a pattern.

Security officials said they were able to identify the infected people and their associates correctly.

Presidential Advisor Lalith Weeratunga, Former Governor Dr. Seetha Arambepola, Defense Secretary Retired Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Acting Inspector General of Police CD Wickramaratne, other officers of the Medical Officers' Association and Jayantha De Silva, Chairman of the ICT Agency of Sri Lanka were present at the discussion.