Ranil's suggestions to PM Rajapaksa on Coronavirus

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a telephone conversation with regard to the Coronavirus yesterday (January 29). Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardena said that the UNP leader had suggested importing face masks from India. Speaking to the media, UNP MP Kavinda Jayawardene said; "Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa engaged in a telephone conversation with UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday. During the conversation, the Prime Minister had pointed out that there was a shortage of N95 face masks in the market. These masks should be supplied to the people. Accordingly, talks were held with the Indian High Commission with the intervention of former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to import face masks from India. The Indian High Commission had then agreed to gift N95 masks to the government. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa also commented on the matter with regard to the face masks at a religious event in Moratuwa. The Prime Minister said; "I am happy that none of those present here are wearing masks. This is because I saw four youths wearing facemasks while heading towards the ministry. No one else was wearing them. Some are requesting to import facemasks from India. Although the government is importing them, I feel that there is no need to panic as the government has taken all necessary steps to prevent the spread of this disease. So far there has only been one patient. Others have not contracted the disease. Therefore, our request is to refrain from panicking over this matter. However, we request the public to ensure cleanliness, as it is important."