President meets with officials of the Presidential Task Force to Eradicate COVID-19

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that COVID-19 should be eradicated with utmost perseverance while keeping the livelihood of the general public and the economy of the country. The President expressed these views when he met with the officials of the Presidential Task Force to Eradicate COVID-19 yesterday. The President points out, plans are in place to revive the economy during the pandemic but no room will be left for a famine to engulf the country. According to the President's Media Division, the President had further said that the Government will learn from the previous errors they made and make sure they will not repeat them while going forward with future plans. President Rajapaksa has noted the need to finding out the reason behind why a large number of COVID-19 cases were discovered within Sri Lanka Navy and from Keselwatta. President emphasized the importance of ad hoc inspection at bus stands, three-wheeler stands, construction sites, and at the Colombo Manning Market where a large number of people gather on a daily basis. The President said, 3,297 students studying abroad and temporary VISA holders have been brought to the island and they have been directed to be quarantined. President stressed the need to bring people from overseas with proper control and in a risk-free manner. President pointed out, a plethora of health issues have arisen and livelihood at a regional level has been hampered due to the usage of illicit liquor. The President also said the jogging tracks and other mental fitness activities should be restarted as people living in urban areas have been under tremendous pressure after being confined to their homes. According to the President's Media Division, President has advised to keep logs of all biodata in one system and to expedite the process of issuing Airline tickets on a District level. More advice has been given to re-study the methodology of preserving and managing harvest and to utilize them when necessary.