55,000 more Sri Lankans are to be repatriated on a staggered basis; Army Commander

Colombo (News 1st);  A few more than 26,000 Sri Lankan expatriates have been brought down to the country from foreign nations as of Wednesday (26), said Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva adding no positive cases were reported within the country in the past couple of months after 30th April.

"Yet, the threat of the virus inside our society is far from eradication, and we still need to continue our health practices, although some sections appear to ignore this looming threat of its transmission," warned the Army Commander who is also the Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

"With any minor lapse on our part, it could spill over and still be transmitted to a larger community, "so warned Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

"55,000 more Sri Lankans are to be repatriated on a staggered basis in keeping with other strategic needs and concerns. Practically, the Army deploys one medical officer to each QC in addition to security being provided to all QCs and hotels functioning as Quarantine Centres where expatriates are in quarantine," Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

Acting Director-General of Health Services Dr S. Sridharan explained the state sector increased PCR testing up to 2000 a day and the private sector increased it up to 1000 tests per day.

He stated random tests are also conducted in society to ensure the safety of the community.