Authorities in Sri Lanka closed key government offices and further expanded a curfew Thursday to contain a surging coronavirus outbreak.

A pregnant woman, who was being treated at the Castle Street Hospital for Women, Colombo, has tested positive for COVID-19, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) confirmed this morning.

Latest statistics on the outbreak of Coronavirus / COVID-19 in Sri Lanka for the day 08 October 2020, according to the Health Promotion Bureau.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa assured that the government has no intention of legalising narcotic substances. He said tobacco sales had decreased due to its high prices as a result of prohibitive taxes and increased awareness among the public of the ill-effects of smoking cigarettes.

Symptoms of COVID-19 first started appearing among workers at the Brandix facility in Minuwangoda from 20 September, Brandix sources said.  The medical centre at Brandix had given only pain relief medication to a majority of employees who had complained of fever, colds and cough.

The Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital in Malabe has been converted to accommodate and treat coronavirus infected persons.

Latest statistics on the outbreak of Coronavirus / COVID-19 in Sri Lanka for the day 07 October 2020, according to the Health Promotion Bureau.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructs relevant officials to expedite and streamline the process of sending skilled labour with internationally recognized qualifications and certificates for foreign employment.

SSP Jaliya Senaratne has been removed from the post of Police Spokesman and DIG Ajith Rohana has been appointed to the post, Police Media Division said.

Quarantine curfew will be imposed in the Seeduwa police area with immediate effect, says DIG Ajith Rohana.

The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Sumith Alahakoon says the offices in Narahenpita and Werahera will be closed for three days from today.

The Government will not spare anyone proven to be involved in the Easter Sunday terror attacks, Irrigation and State Minister of Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management Minister Chamal Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday.

Police curfew has been imposed in several police areas in Gampaha District with immediate effect, stated Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

The Health Ministry today informed the public and organisations to refrain from organising, promoting or conducting any event that forms a public gathering until further notice.

Curfew will be imposed within the Gampaha police division with effect from 6.00 p.m. today (06).

Parliamentarian Sadasivam Viyalanderan has been sworn in as the State Minister for Rural Development, Promotion of Domestic Livestock and Minor Crops.