Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed a committee headed by the Labour Commissioner General to look into allegations levelled against the apparel factory in Minuwangoda. The factory recorded the highest number COVID-19 positive cases reported so far.

Co-cabinet Spokesman Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana told the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department, that the government fully confident in controlling Minuwangoda COVID-19 cluster and curbing the virus from spreading further.

Minister Pathirana said that out of the total COVID-19 patients identified up to now, the security forces have identified that the majority of them have had some contact with the Minuwangoda cluster.

He said that 24,778 PCR tests have been done so far among people who have had contacts with patients in the cluster and 10,281 people who had contacts are quarantined. He further added that the people do not need to unnecessary fear as the government is greatly dedicated to controlling the situation by doing about 7000 PCR tests per day while providing medical facilities to the infected in 26 hospitals.

“We are monitoring the curfew situation on a daily basis. The President has indicated that out of 18 police areas where quarantine curfew has already imposed, there are two or three areas where a few COVID-19 positive cases reported. So measures will be taken to lift curfew in those areas. Lifting of curfew in other areas will depend on the strength of the spreading of virus,” the Minister said.