Reports to SC suggest COVID-19 contained and no obstacle to hold election

Colombo (News 1st);  State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Additional Legal Secretary to the President's office in a statement said as reports presented to the Supreme Court indicate COVID-19 is controlled and contained in Sri Lanka, there are no obstacles to hold the General Election.

She said three reports with data on the collective measures taken by the government in containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic under the guidance of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was submitted to the Supreme Court, on behalf of the Attorney General.

In accordance with a report submitted on the 22nd of May, by Director of the State Intelligence Services, the measures undertaken by the State Intelligence in the containment of COVID-19 have been listed as, contact tracing of infected patients, investigations and taking further measures regarding such people.

The State Intelligence Service report suggests after the 30th of April, excluding the Sri Lanka Navy's COVID-19 cluster, quarantine centers, and hospitals, no new COVID-19 cases were reported from the community.

In addition a letter from Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe addressed to President's Secretary on May 20th notes the COVID-19 pandemic has been successfully controlled in the country, given the present situation as the number of infections and deaths from COVID-19 are at low levels.

State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne added guidelines to hold the elections based on health guidelines and maintaining social distancing can be facilitated.

She quoted Dr. Anil Jasinghe as further stressing there are no obstacles to the future proceedings of holding the general election.

Nishara Jayaratne went on to note the Epidemiology Unit at the Ministry of Health submitted situation reports on the containment of COVID-19 in the country from 29th of January to 26th of May, to the Supreme Court when presenting facts on behalf of the Attorney General.

She said the Supreme Court was informed based on these reports as COVID-19 is contained, there are no obstacles to hold the general election.