State Minister tests positive for Covid-19

State Minister of Women and Child Development Piyal Nishantha de Silva has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament Narendra Fernando said that the MP had tested positive after undergoing a rapid antigen test.

He said the State Minister had also been subjected to a PCR test and was awaiting the results. 

Piyal Nishantha had not attended Parliament after the first sitting for the year, which was held on 1st January, 2021, Fernando said. 

It is also reported that ten staff members of the State Minister have been instructed to undergo self-quarantine.  

Several relatives of the State Minister are also reported to have tested positive for COVID-19.

De Silva is the fourth MP to test positive for COVID-19 after MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara, Rauff Hakeem, and Vasudeva Nanayakkara.