Funerals will be required to be performed within 24- hours of the demise, State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation, Professor Channa Jayasumana said.

Speaking to Ada Derana, he said the number of guests permitted to attend funerals will also be revised.

Meanwhile, State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said a decision has been taken to impose restrictions on public events, funerals, and Nightclubs.

The State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control said the restrictions are to be imposed after taking into consideration the current coronavirus situation in Sri Lanka.

The number of guests for weddings will be revised from 150 to 50 persons, State Minister Fernandopulle said.

Stating that restrictions will be imposed on Nightclubs and evening public functions, the State Minister said measures have been taken to tighten regulations that were earlier eased after taking into consideration the high transmission of the virus.

State Minister Fernandopulle said the new guidelines in this regard will be issued within the course of the day.

Meanwhile, Cabinet co-spokesman Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the Government will not impose a complete lockdown in view of the existing coronavirus pandemic in the country.
He told reporters today that Sri Lanka cannot afford to impose a lockdown due to its current economic situation.

The Minister made the statement in response to a question raised by a journalist on whether the Government was considering an islandwide lockdown as a result of the new variant of COVID-19 being detected in Sri Lanka.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila said even if the country is forced to go into a complete lockdown, such a decision cannot be implemented at present due to the current economic status and loan payments. (NewsWire)