COVID PATIENT LEAVES TREATMENT CENTRE WITHOUT PERMISSION

COLOMBO (News 1st): A 43-year-old COVID-19 patient had left the Punani COVID-19 treatment facility on Tuesday (Jan. 19) without authorization, Sri Lanka Police said on Wednesday (Jan. 20). "43-year-old Shelton Premaratne of No. 649B, Andagala, Eheliyagoda has escaped from the Punani Treatment Centre, which is located in the Valaichchenai Police area, yesterday evening at 7:30 pm," Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. According to the Deputy Police Chief, the patient had tested positive for COVID-19 on the 13th of January in Kolonnawa, where he was transferred to the Treatment Centre on the 17th of January. "He is the 14th patient to have escaped from a treatment centre since 4th October 2020, at the time the second wave began," the Police Spokesperson noted. An operation is currently underway to locate the patient and Sri Lanka Police sought public assistance in this regard. "We are conducting further investigations to locate the patient. Kindly provide information to OIC Valaichchenai via 071 859 1138 or the nearest police station, or 119 emergency hotline," DIG Ajith Rohana requested. The Deputy Police Chief further advised the relatives and friends of the patient who left the treatment centre without authorization, not to accommodate the individual under any circumstances.