COVID-19 RESPONSE AND COUNTER MEASURES IN SRI LANKA(Tentative as of 24 April 2020)
INTRODUCTION
Sri Lanka got the first confirmed case of corona virus on January 27 2020, who was a 44 year old
Chinese women from Hubei province in China. She had arrived as a tourist with another group of
travelers and had been screened at the Bandaranayaka International Airport after having a highfever. She had fully recovered and released later on February 19.
This incident put the health ministry and other relevant authorities more focused on the ongoingcrisis in the world. Because even though there were preparedness planes for the corona infectionin Sri Lanka there was no actual scenarios occurred until that day.
On 10th March the first SL the first Sri Lankan local national tested positive for covid-19. A 52y old
tour guide working with a group of Italians had tested positive. At this moment there were 29
patients under observation in the government hospitals including 8 foreigners. So this chain ofincidents caused suspension of on arrival visa for tourists1.

GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT TIMELINE
While these incidents were happening the government formed a presidential task force in relation
with fighting the covid-19 virus which seek cooperation of all sections of the society. The first quick
sessions “emphasize the disastrous consequences of behave in irresponsible manners andimportance of the cooperation of everyone to the quarantine process commenced with theobjective of protecting citizens of SL”
The health ministry which was led by the director general of health services and the defense ministry
who featured the commander of the Sri Lanka army contributed to the covid-19 prevention body incooperation of other sectors2.
A. 2020-March week 1 [Active cases 1]
 According to the decisions carried out by the Presidential task force around 685
people have been quarantined at two centers in Batticaloa. Army and health officials
have taken steps to provide them with maximum possible facilities within a shortperiod of time. Another 2 centers have also been prepared to use for the purpose ofquarantine.
 The Sri Lankans as well as foreigners arriving from South Korea, Italy and Iran has
been sent to these centers for 14-day quarantine period and issue a certificate after
the period. [Which later considered as mandatory for them to provide when goingout of country again]
 Requested other people who arriving from other countries to SL to cooperate withthis process by living in isolation in their own houses3.
B. 2020-March week 2 [Active cases 15]
 Visa for Europeans suspended for 2 weeks due to the expanding covid-19 situation
1 Health Promotion Bureau, COVID-19 Situation report, viewed 15th March 2020, <https://www.hpb.health.gov.lk/en>
2 Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of health, Message for Public, viewed 10th March 2020,<http://www.epid.gov.lk/web/index.php?lang=en>
3 Presidential office, News Archive, President seeks public cooperation to fight COVID-19, viewed 20th April 2020,<https://www.president.gov.lk/president-seeks-public-cooperation-to-fight-COVID-19/>

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in France and Italy
2-week quarantine period for Sri Lankans arriving from Europe
Measures to disinfect public transport
Case studies on China’s successDirectives to minimize public gathering
Experimented the possibility of continuing services provided by state institutions aswell as school and university studies through utilizing internet for educational andservice purposes.
Issued directives to inquire about the places the patients visited and people they
associated and guide them for quarantine process.
A discussion has been carried out with the WHO by health authority and WHO
agreed to extend its cooperation towards the continuation of measure already taken
by Sri Lanka towards prevention of spreading of the disease.
Attention was drawn to regulate the distribution process of face masks in a mannerthat it could be purchases from anywhere at a controlled price.
Firms which can make 150,000 face masks daily have been identified to check for thequality for this crisis.
Officials were advised to study the methods extensively that china practiced
regarding management of social behaviors in a way that contributed to the effective
control of the disease.
Stressed the importance of using electronic, print and social media to educate thepeople about the disease.4 & 5

Source: https://alt.army.lk/covid19

C. 2020- March week 3 [Active cases 86]
 SAARC ministerial meeting was conducted by the Leaders of each country to
formulate a collective response to combat COVID-19 and overcome a deadly threat
and formulate a mechanism to assist SL economy to tide over the economicallydifficult period.
 Students who were studying in Wuhan province china [34] were brought back
4 Presidential office, News Archive, Concrete Decision to prevent COVID-19, viewed 20th April 2020,<https://www.president.gov.lk/concrete-decisions-to-prevent-spread-of-COVID-19/>
5 SL army, National Operation center for prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, viewed 18st April 2020, <https://alt.army.lkCOVID-19/>

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according to their request and quarantined for 14-day period. Other 750 people who
were in china were asked to self-quarantine. The officials were asked to bring thepeople of 300 who are currently scattered in India who were on pilgrimage.
12 other major government hospitals have been modified and designed to treat
suspected or confirmed cases.
Police have been instructed to find out about the people who were avoiding
quarantine process and make people aware of them.
Those who show flu symptoms have been asked to self-quarantine while seeking
medical attention. Police and Public health inspectors were advice to closely
monitoring the progress of suspected patients.
National task force with all major stakeholders empowered to take crucial decisions
and setup to meet daily basis.
Measures has been taken to avoid all large gatherings, including cinema halls, sport
events, international conferences and religious gathering.
All education centers from pre-schools to universities had been closed ranging from
2 weeks to 6 weeks.
One day of the week has been declared as a public holiday to keep the people awayfrom the roads and sanitizing of public transport.
A decision has been taken on all the court cases which are to be called at commercial
high courts, court of appeal and District courts will not be called at open courts. The
ability to obtain information on their cases have been moved back 2 weeks. The
released circular advised to take up only the urgent cases at the discretion of judges
concerned.
The congregation of public near prisons will also has been limited but normal banking
and trading activities will continue as usual.
The army commander has
been tasked to spearhead thenational operation center for
prevention of COVID-19
outbreak according to thedirectives of the president.
The newly formed center will
coordinate preventive andmanagement measured toensure that healthcare andother services are well geared
to serve the general public6.
Suspended all the inbound passenger flights to the country for 2 weeks. But directed
heads of departments and other entities to ensure uninterrupted economic andtrading activities as well as other essential services.
Health ministry formed a provisional clinical practice guideline on COVID-19
suspected and confirmed patients7.
An island wide curfew has imposed for the week end of the 3 rd week

6 Presidential office, News Archive, Public gatherings further restricted, viewed 18th April 2020,<https://www.president.gov.lk/public-gatherings-further-restricted/>
7 Ministry of Health, News updates, Presidential task force, viewed 18th April 2020, <http://www.health.gov.lk/moh_final/english/>D. 2020-March week 4 [Active cases 105]
 After careful consideration of every aspect, the government has declared a period ofwork from home for both public and private sectors for 7-day period. When
implementing the remote work system, the relevant heads of departments wereasked to take steps to limit the summoning their staff to the office. They were asked
to take alternate approaches like technological means such as e-mail, SMS, andtelephone as well to do the file work from home8.
 Authorities were empowered to take steps to ensure continuous supply of essential
services including health, public administration, transportation, banking, food, water,electricity, distribution of fertilizer and buying paddy.
 The curfew has been extended to several districts [Colombo, Gampaha, Puttlam] due
to increased number of patients in those districts.9

Source: https://hpb.health.gov.lk/covid19-dashboard/

Public has been advised not to engage in panic buying since adequate stocks of foodand other essential items are being transported to needed places and government
supplying centers.
To prevent imported new cases of Corona virus in the country, the government
decided to indefinitely extend the closure of the arrival terminal at the Airport. The
departure terminal will continue to be operational and flights are allowed in to thecountry to take departing passengers. All import and export operations are tocontinue without interruption.
Island wide curfew again has been imposed for 4-day period and free period of 8hours to buy essentials at the end of 4-day period. But the high risk districts [Colombo,

8 Presidential office, News Archive, March ‘work from home week’, viewed 18th April 2020, <https://www.president.gov.lk/march-

20th-to-27th-declared-as-work-from-home-week/>
9 Health Promotion Bureau, Live situational Analysis dashboard of Sri Lanka, viewed 22th April 2020,<https://hpb.health.gov.lkCOVID-19-dashboard/>

Kaluthara, Gampaha] are to be continue with the current curfew. All the essential
things are being delivered to the door steps including food, medication and mobile
ATM machines. To ensure smooth operation of delivering essential consumer goods
to each household, a special task force has been established comprised of Secretaries
to the ministries, Government agents, Divisional Secretaries and other relevant
officers. The vehicles used for the delivery will be permitted on the road during
curfew period.
President has directed the Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the secretaries ofall ministries, chief secretaries of all provincial councils and the heads of all banks,financial institutions and leasing companies to take the appropriate steps accordingly.

Source: https://www.president.gov.lk/news/

These relief measures are as following:a. To extend until 30 April, 2020 all payments on income and VAT taxes, driving
license renewal fees; all bills on water and electricity, assessment taxes, andbank cheques valued less than Rs 15,000; and repayment of all credit cards
below the limit Rs. 50,000.
b. A six-month moratorium on the leasing loan installments of all three-wheelers.
c. A moratorium on loan installments until 30 May, 2020 from salaries of all
public and private (except board of directors) sector employees.
d. A three-month moratorium on all personal bank and leasing loan installmentsof value less than Rs. 1 million.
e. The March trainee allowance of Rs. 20,000 of all graduates selected for
employment will be deposited into their respective bank accounts.
f. To double the Agrahara Insurance benefits for all health, police, civil defense
and all government servants engaged in controlling the spread of the COVID19.
g. A six-month debit moratorium on tourism, garment and small & medium
industries and for Central Bank of Sri Lanka to re-evaluate the finances.
h. Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, National Savings Bank, Sri Lanka Insurance
Cooperation, Employee Provident Fund, Employee’s Trust Fund to jointlyinvest in the treasury bonds and bills to stabilize the money market at 7%interest rate.
i.

A 15% interest rate of credit cards for domestic transactions of value up to
Rs. 50,000.00 and the minimum monthly charge to be reduced by 50%.

j.

All bank branches to provide their full services to customers when curfew is
not in effect.

k. Sri Lanka Ports, Customs and other related institutions to release without
any interruption to relevant entities food and essentials such as fertilizers,
medicines and fuel.
l.

To provide interest free loans of Rs. 10,000 to Samurdhi recipients andSamurdhi card holders through all Samurdhi Bank Associations.

m. To exempt Lanka Sathosa and Co-operative shops from VAT and other local
taxes and charges.
n. Samurdhi Authority to issue title certificates to Samurdhi and low income
families immediately for issuing nutritional food items to low income
families. They should be provided with rice, lentils, onions and food cards on
weekly basis.
o. From the President’s Fund, a special bank account has been opened at the
Bank of Ceylon for tasks related to preventing the spread of the Coronavirus
and for providing the necessary healthcare and relief measures. For thispurpose, Rs. 100 million had been deposited from the President’s Fund. Tax
and foreign exchange control restrictions have been lifted for all local andforeign donors who wishes to contribute to this fund.
Granted some relief to the prisoners who were charged with minor offences andthose who are unable to meet their bail conditions.10

E. 2020-April week 1 [Active cases 138]
 Government decided to facilitate the farmers on cultivation of rice and vegetables
and other animal products such as meat, egg and fisheries without any interruption.
The products were expected to deliver through a combined effort between
cooperative outlets and supermarkets after purchasing from domestic farmers withthe assistance of the center for disaster management.
 A decision was taken to deliver medicines to homes of regular patients who haveregistered at hospitals with the support of divisional Secretaries, Public healthofficers and the security forces. It was also discussed to implement a system to
distribute medicines through few locally selected pharmacies to patients whopurchase medicine from private pharmacies.
 The work from home has been extended for state, semi government and private
sector entities except which are categorized as essential services.
 SL port authority has immediately exempted from demurrage and entry charges and
10 Presidential office, News Archive, viewed 20th April 2020, <https://www.president.gov.lk/possibility-of-releasing-prisoners-

charged-with-minor-offences-explored/>offered several reliefs in order to continue regular operations at port.
a. During the curfew period, yard and warehouse rental charges for imported
containers and goods and imported empty containers have been completely
removed.
b. Harbor gate access permits / individual access permits currently available fortrucks, lorries, tippers and bowsers used by the Port for its transportation
purposes and harbor gate access permits currently available to agencies andcompanies for their common / private vehicles (vans, cars, motorcycles) arealso valid during the curfew period.
c. The Sri Lanka Police has taken steps to issue licenses for private sector workers
engaged in essential and related duties on the recommendation of the Sri
Lanka Ports Authority.
d. Facilities have been arranged to obtain fuel needed for the container / freight
carriers operating between the terminals and inter terminals at the port.
e. SLPA employees engaged in essential services are to be provided sanitation,
welfare and transportation facilities11.

source: https://www.president.gov.lk/home-delivery-of-essential-commodities-begins/

F. 2020 April week 2 [Active cases 147]
 Government decide of selection of localities to implement curfew and declarationof isolation areas are being taken at the highest level of the government following
an in depth analysis of data received in order to minimize the disruption of civilianlife.
 Material benefits have been granted to low income and vulnerable families andindividuals in the face of COVID-19 outbreak. Following declared concessions andthe eligible groups.
a. Measures have been taken to pay Rs. 5,000 each to all 416,764 senior citizen
allowance recipients and to the recently registered 142,345 senior citizens.
b. An allowance of Rs. 5,000 will be provided to 84,071 disabled persons and35,229 newly registered disabled persons.
c. A total of 160,675 farmers who are registered under the Farmers’ Insurance
Scheme will also receive an allowance of Rs.5000 each.
11 Presidential office, News Archive, viewed 20th April 2020, < https://www.president.gov.lk/home-delivery-of-essential-commodities-begins/>

d. An allowance of Rs. 5,000 will be paid to 25,320 kidney patients and 13,850
newly registered patients.
e. Thriposha and other nutritional supplements will be delivered directly to theresidences of expectant mothers and families with malnourished children
f. Measures have been taken to provide Rs. 5,000 each to all 1,798,655
Samurdhi recipients and to the recently registered 600,339 Samurdhi
recipients by the Samurdhi Bank / Samurdhi Authority.
g. Payment of the pensions to 645,179 public officers.
h. Steps will be taken to pay the April salary for 1,500,000 Public Sector
employees and loan payment deductions from salaries to be suspended until
further notice.
i. Relief on lease instalments for 1,500,000 self-employed persons, including
owners of three-wheelers, trucks, school buses and vans and self-employed
motorists.
j. Reliefs will be provided for the private businesses that are not in a position to
pay employees’ wages due to the prevailing economic hardships12.

Source: https://alt.army.lk/covid19/

Many private and government officials have been handed over millions from theirown official Department Special Fund to the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social
Security Fund.
A meeting between government officials and medical experts representing various
fields was held and the steps taken to prevent the spread of the virus has been
appreciated. The future steps have been discussed in length. The health authorities
were directed to take necessary actions to acquire more test kits in order to face any
situation.
Since the provision of essential foods and rice production, storage and distribution isimperative to ensure food security, services of the owners of all rice mils have been
declared an essential service under the COVID-19 quarantine process13.

12 Economynext, viewed 20th April 2020, <https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-banks-to-open-2-hours-when-coronavirus-curfew-

lifts-online-banking-urged-61122,%20https:/economynext.com/sri-lanka-banks-to-open-2-hours-when-coronavirus-curfew-liftsonline-banking-urged-61122/>
13 SL army, National Operation center for prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, viewed 18st April 2020, <https://alt.army.lkCOVID19/>

Source: https://hpb.health.gov.lk/covid19-dashboard/

G. 2020 April week 3 [Active cases 168]

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A meeting was carried out to explore the possibility of immediate resumption of day
today economic activities at provincial levels in order to safeguard the national
economy with all the provincial directors of health.
With the objective of restoring normalcy in the civilian life the Government has
decided to relax the curfew imposed in order to control the spread of COVID – 19.

(Source: https://hpb.health.gov.lk/covid19-dashboard/)

DISASTER MANAGEMENT CENTRE, DISTRICT SECRETARY OFFICE AND DIVISIONAL
SECRETARY OFFICE INVOLVEMENT
Sri Lanka has been managing the situations of emergencies through Disaster Management Centre
for several decades. This has been utilizing government funds and resources to the wellbeing of thepeople who were affected during floods, heavy rainy seasons, tsunami, dry seasons and otherdisastrous conditions. As the government announced the COVID-19 as an emergency situation theregional objectives which needed to reach to the misadventure personals were carried out by theDisaster Management Centre.


The Presidential Task Force announced that a hotline has been established for to the public
to obtain or notify any details regarding the Coronavirus situation. Such inquiries or
notifications could be made on the hotline 117. This hotline will be active from 15th March
2020 which was a Joint collaboration with the Disaster Management Centre.

The distribution of the essential grocery and foods were obtained from the government
stocks and private companies. The ‘Grama Niladhari’ [the village officer in charge ofadministration works] was responsible for identifying the people who needed the support
from the government and under the authority of district secretary and Divisional secretary
the distribution of the goods were Divisional Secretary Office.17

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Many government officials have been deployed to overcome the community depend mistakes occur
in the society. Main stakeholders were public health doctors and public health inspectors. Generalpublic has been asked to maintain proper hygiene methods and self-quarantine methods tosafeguard from the disease.
Main community involvement during the virus outbreak is the provision of essential food and otherrequirements to the people who has been unable to compensate14.

14 Derana, Manusath derana Pragramme, viewed 20th April 2020, < http://manusathderana.lk/>

Source: http://manusathderana.lk/

According to the guidelines by the authorities, the bodies of deceased COVID-19 patients must bebagged and disinfected while the closest relatives are allowed to see the face of the deceased for alimited time within the hospital and touching of the body is not allowed. Embalming is banned andfuneral homes are expected to immediately bag the body and place it in a sealed coffin for religious
rituals. Mass gatherings and funeral functions are banned and remains must be cremated within 24
hours of the death15.

15 Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of health, viewed 20th April 2020, < http://www.epid.gov.lk/web/>Source: http://www.epid.gov.lk/web/

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Both state and private institutions began Research and Development programmes to find solutions
to issues created by the Pandemic. Research and Development Unit of Sri Lanka Navy developed aremote-controlled smart appliance called ‘Medi Mate’ to allow healthcare maintain distance frompatients during testing and treatment 16 . Medi Mate is wheeled and remote-controlled allowing
workers to communicate with patients as well as transport medicine and meals as well as spraysanitizing liquid through an automated nozzle.
The Research and Development Unit of Sri Lanka Navy also developed a disinfection chamber andvariants with added features that were placed in Kalubowila Teaching Hospital, Neville Fernando
Teaching Hospital and University Hospital KDU.
Vega Innovations, a subsidiary of CodeGen Group of Companies together with the Ministry of Healthof Sri Lanka designed a low cost Volume Controlled – Continuous Mandatory Ventilation (VC-CMV)
Medical Ventilator that can be produced for a cost under US$650 per unit17.

16 Sri Lanka Navy, Navy develops remote controlled smart appliance, viewed 22nd April 2020,<https://news.navy.lk/eventnews/2020/04/08/202004081700/>
17 Vega innovations, Low cost medical ventilator, viewed 22nd April 2020, <https://www.vega.lk/articles/2020/04/01/low-costmedical-ventilator-manufactured-by-vega-innovations-to-support-COVID-19-outbreak/>Source: https://www.vega.lk/articles/2020/04/01/low-cost-medical-ventilator-manufactured-by-vega-Innovations-tosupport-covid-19-outbreak/

Atlas Axillia PLC, a subsidiary of the Hemas Group, developed the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
robot which is able to carry food and medicine, perform basic medical check-ups such as checking
temperatures, allow doctors to monitor patients remotely and have conversations with them. The
AGV recharges itself using a wireless port to further reduce contact with workers. The first prototype
was gifted to Base Hospital Homagama18.
Engineers of faculty of engineering, University of Peradeniya has repaired and developed oxygen
respiratory systems and ICU beds. National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka allocated funding tocombat COVID-19 pandemic and called proposals from Sri Lankan scientists18

IMPACT
Elections
On 19 March, Election Commissioner revealed that the 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election will be
postponed indefinitely until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. Sri Lankan government initiallyinsisted that scheduled forthcoming the election would proceed as planned on 25 April despite thecoronavirus pandemic, and the authorities banned election rallies and meetings. On April 3,2020 Sri Lanka's
Election Commission wrote to President Rajapaksa to seek court opinion on parliamentary election
delay saying that they think that the elections will not be able to complete before June 1st as per of the
Parliamentary elections19.

Tourism
The coronavirus outbreak further affected the downfall of the tourism sector of the country which
was recovering slowly from the impact of the 2019 Easter bombings. The tourism sector was directly
affected with the decrease of Chinese tourist arrivals.

18 Sunday observer, Atlas invents robot to support medical, viewed 22nd April 2020,<http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2020/03/30/news/atlas-invents-robot-support-medical-personnel-combating-coronavirus>
19 News in Asia, Corona virus, viewed 15th April 2020, < https://newsin.asia/sri-lankas-general-election-postponed/>

Environment
The air quality index shown a drastic improvement in the quality of air in highly dense areas such as
Colombo ever since the imposing of indefinite curfews.
Education
The government ordered to close schools for five weeks from 12 March to 20 April which also marks
the end of the first term and also the academic school exams slated for the first term were also
scrapped. The private tuition classes and tutorials including the Institute of Bankers of Sri Lanka arealso closed for two weeks until 26 March. On April 11, 2020, Government announce that new school
year was postponed until May 11, 202020.
Entertainment
The Sri Lankan government imposed ban on public gatherings for two weeks amid coronavirus fears
and insisted that the permission should be taken from the police in order to do so. All film theatres,
national parks, zoological gardens and botanical gardens throughout the country have been closed
until further notice. The Sri Lanka Planetarium has also been shut down until further notice withimmediate effect from 17 March21.
Economy
The Colombo Stock Exchange closed at a new eight-year low amid the coronavirus fears. The stock
market activities were halted for at least 30 minutes on 13 March. On 5 March 2020, the Central
Bank of Sri Lanka released monetary policy review and the monetary authority decided to maintain
policy interest rates unchanged despite coronavirus outbreak (SDFR fixed at 6.5% and the SLFR fixed
at 7.5%). On 16 March 2020, on a surprising move the Central Bank of Sri Lanka revised monetary
policy review and cut the policy rates by 25 basis points and also cut the statutory reserve ratio by
1 basis point due to the coronavirus pandemic. The CBSL continued its expansionary monetary
policy to prosper the economy. Further the CBSL governor requested the financial institutions to
not panic due to the economic impact caused by coronavirus. On 18 March, the Securities andExchange Commission revealed that the Colombo Stock Exchange to be closed until 19 March. CSE
has also been given special holidays on 23 and 24 March.
The Central Bank requested the banking sector to operate banking activities for at least two hours
on 23 March and the banks encouraged general public to utilize electronic transactions and ATM
services instead of physical cash. Experts revealed that the country is likely to mark a record-low
negative growth rate for the first time since 2001 due to the economic pressures caused bycoronavirus pandemic.
As of 27 March, the domestic Sri Lankan rupee further depreciated against the US dollar to 191.99
amid the coronavirus pandemic. As of 8 April 2020 the domestic Sri Lankan rupee further

20 Colombogazette, Government schools to be closed, viewed 15th March 2020,<https://colombogazette.com/2020/03/12/government-schools-to-be-closed-till-april/
21 Daily News, All cinema, viewed 20th April 2020, < http://www.dailynews.lk/2020/03/14/local/214436/all-cinema-theatresclosed-until-further-notice>.

depreciated against the US dollar to 200.47 making history that its first time reaching the Rs200
level or above mark, despite Sri Lankan government's effects to control it.
Several Mega companies in Sri Lanka ranked as top companies in the island announced that they
will cut down its employees’ salaries from 5% to 35%. These companies include John Keells Holdings,
Sri Lankan Airlines, and Sri Lanka's biggest apparel exporter Brandix Lanka to name a few22.

Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC member countries based on
the personal observation.
The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADRC.

22 News first, Colombo stock exchange, viewed 15th April 2020, <https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/03/13/colombo-stock-exchange-

halts-trading-for-the-third-day/>