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Clandestine dealings of fishers will precipitate spread of deadly Indian variant here – Expert
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There was a risk of the deadly Indian COVID-19 variant spreading to Sri Lanka as well, Chief Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera told the media yesterday in Colombo.
Dr. Samaraweera said that Sri Lankan fishermen continued to interact with their Indian counterparts in mid-sea and therefore it was only a matter of time before the Indian variant entered Sri Lanka.
“We must be extremely vigilant. We have seen the devastation caused by this variant in India. These mid-sea interactions by the fishing community must be stopped.”
Dr. Samaraweera added that although the Dambulla Economic Centre
had been reopened for business yesterday morning, health officials had been compelled to close five shops as their owners violated the Covid-19 protocol.
“This is a commercial hub where people from all parts of the country converge. So, if there are COVID-19 cases here, then it will spread across the country. Therefore, people have to act carefully and responsibly.”