Coronavirus Test Kits Validated Before Use - Dr. Anil Jasinghe

There is a possibility that we would get more cases from the areas where these people have visited, By now, in the field we can cater to more than 1500 and in the laboratories we are going to further increase our capacity, Another lab is coming up in the Mulleriyawa hospital premises with the assistance of Asian Development Bank

- Easwaran Rutnam

The Health Ministry is at the helm of Sri Lanka’s fights against the coronavirus, a fight which the Government says is moving ahead effectively. Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe is playing a key role in the efforts to contain the spread of the virus in Sri Lanka. Speaking to, Dr. Jasinghe asserted that the spread of the virus has been mostly brought under control. Dr. Jasinghe also assured that all test kits imported to Sri Lanka or gifted to the country, including Chinese testing kits, are validated before being distributed for use. Excerpts:

Q What is the status of the coronavirus pandemic in Sri Lanka? There are concerns among the public over the recent rise in numbers reported. Are we seeing large numbers now because of an increase in testing?

No not really. We are seeing this rise because of the Navy issue (Navy personnel at Welisara Navy campy being detected with COVID-19). We have diagnosed possibly all of them by now. The rise was because of screening and diagnosing them. The day before we had about 65 people being diagnosed and now the number has come to 31. That’s because we’re almost done. But then we have to be careful and mindful about who has associated with them because some of these people have visited their homes, in various parts of Sri Lanka and associated with their family members, and perhaps with friends.