July 12, Colombo: Due to the coronavirus situation, the transfer of prison inmates in the island has been suspended with immediate effect, the Prison Headquarters announced.

The decision was made following the discovery of a COVID-19 infected inmate who was transferred to the Welikada Prison from the Treatment and Rehabilitation center in Kandakadu East on the 7th July and the identification of an acquaintance of the inmate as COVID-19 positive on the 11th July.

The Prison Headquarters said so far 444 inmates in the Welikada Prison who underwent PCR testing found to be COVID-19 positive and have been sent to Kandakadu Quarantine Center.

In the last four days alone Sri Lanka reported 521 new COVID-19 cases, while the total since the epidemic began rose to 2,615 today.