Govt. decides not to allow anyone into the country

COLOMBO (News1st): The government took a firm decision today to not allow anyone to enter the island, closing the doors in order to contain the spread of COVID-19, commonly known as the Coronavirus. Under the President's directive, all arrival terminals at the Airport remain closed while the departure terminals have been opened to ensure a smooth passage for foreign nationals to leave to their home countries. “Nobody will be allowed to enter the country under any circumstances,” Commander of Sri Lanka Army and head of the Covid-19 Task Force Lt. General Shavendra Silva said. Speaking to news 1st this afternoon exclusively he said that only Sri Lankan pilgrims who left the island on a pilgrimage will be allowed to return, but even they would be sent on mandatory quarantine. The final group of Sri Lankans amounting to over 48 who undertook a religious pilgrimage to Dambadiva, India were brought back to the country today. “All these pilgrims have been sent on mandatory quarantine, at centres set by the government,” the Army Commander said.