Public health inspectors call for the imposition of strong travel restrictions in the western province to prevent a further spreading of the Covid-19 virus.

President of their association Upul Rohana says festive shoppers and those returning to villages for Christmas and New Year pose a strong risk.

Echoing his view, president of medical laboratory technologists Ravi Kumudesh notes around 20,000 persons on average leave for outstations each day.

Meanwhile, police media spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana says policemen in civics will be on duty from today (20) to detect violators of quarantine regulations.

The local Covid-19 caseload stands at 36,667, with 171 deaths.

Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama requests Muslims to support PCR tests.

Acting secretary of the organization M.S.M. Thassim says in a statement that all Muslims have a responsibility to ensure the safety of those nearest to them.

Meanwhile, president Gotabaya Rajapaksa tweets that WHO-Sri Lanka supplied the second batch of Rapid Antigen Test kits to Sri Lanka.

The government appreciates their ongoing support in responding to the Covid-19 and enhancing our testing capacity, he adds.