Panic buying empty supermarkets; govt. assures uninterrupted supply

COLOMBO (News 1st): Supermarkets and shops ran dry as long queues were seen at supermarkets last night as people started to panic buy and hoard groceries amid fears of a Covid-19 breakout in the country, following the announcement of the second Sri Lankan patient tested positive for the coronavirus.

Government requested general public not panic unnecessarily and have taken measures to address the situation and Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, said that there is no need to fear about any food shortage in the country.

"When a large number of people, start to panic buy at once, supermarkets are bound to run out of their stocks available at the time and therefore, the sight of empty racks at supermarkets, does not necessarily mean there is a shortage of food in the country," Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said in a statement.

Based on instructions issued by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the public was kindly urged not to create a panic situation in the country, said Lieutenant General Silva.