The wife and daughter of State Minister Piyal Nishantha, who was tested positive for Covid-19, have been moved to a quarantine centre in Koggala for medical care.

Covid-19 tests conducted on the state minister’s two sons, driver, security guards and secretaries today (January 19), have however shown negative results.

Health authorities have meanwhile instructed 22 individuals including several parliamentarians who were identified as close contacts of the state minister to go into self-isolation.

State Minister of Women and Child Development, Pre-School & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services Piyal Nishantha was confirmed to be positive for Covid-19 in a rapid antigen test carried out yesterday (January 18).

In the meantime, the driver of State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya has tested positive for novel coronavirus, a spokesperson of Kegalle District General Hospital confirmed today.