President draws attention of top experts to plight of ordinary people

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stresses a point during meeting at the Presidential Secretariat (pic courtesy President’s Office)

The COVID-19 task force had stressed the need to shut down the entire country for one week to curb the spread of the virus, but President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had drawn their attention to the hardships people would have to face in such an eventuality, Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva told the media yesterday.

The President had highlighted that a sudden closure of the entire country would have adverse effects on the ordinary public, the Army Commander said. Daily wage earners and small businesses would be the worst hit, the President pointed out.

The Army Commander said: “That is why we are shutting down or isolating only the areas where cases are reported. The President has advised, taking action to minimize difficulties people face.

“The highest number of COVID-19 cases has been reported from the Western Province. That’s why we decided to extend the curfew there.”

Lt. General Silva added that clusters had been forming around the Eheliyagoda and Kuliyapitiya police areas as well as in Kurunegala city limits. “We urge the people to stay home. They must reduce travel, even those who live in areas where there is no curfew. Don’t cross district borders. We will arrange home deliveries and monetary grants for the poor people.”