No reason to panic over coronavirus concerns : Army Commander

It was observed, the public en masse were thronging food stores and market places to purchase excessive stocks of food on the premise, detection of a few ‘COVID-19’ virus-infected cases in the country would force people to be confined to their residences for quarantine, being unable to move out for some time. News 1st correspondents across the island reported of long lines inside supermarkets last night, as panic-buying reached new heights as concerns over COVID-19 grew. Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva speaking to News 1st said there is no need to panic over any food shortage in the country. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva who has been functioning as one of the main coordinators for quarantine procedures was advised by the President to keep the public informed of ground realities and deny having any such plan for quarantine as alleged. According to Sri Lanka Army, detection of just two confirmed cases does not in any way mean it has assumed epidemic proportions either. Sri Lanka Army adds, such unnecessary panicking of the public and their bulk ‘buying spree,’ which has led to sudden scarcity of essentials in shops and malls appear to have been incited by certain elements with vested interests and largely based on unfounded rumours that spread misinformation on self-quarantine. Sri Lanka Army went on to note bulk purchases would definitely lead to artificial shortages of essentials, which is not the case at all in the country. A statement stressed, the Armed Forces, engaged in quarantine procedures or the Government or Health Ministry officials have not taken any such decision whatsoever to the effect of quarantining the public inside their residences. While requesting the general public not to be misled by some social media posts, Health Ministry and the Armed Forces assure the public would be unfailingly advised well in advance, if at all any such move for quarantine were to be implemented in future.