25 police areas in Colombo and Gampaha to remain locked down

• Restriction to exit from Western Province removed

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The isolation status in 25 police areas in Colombo and Gampaha Districts will be continued from 5.00 am today as those areas remain high-risk areas for COVID-19.  According to the health authorities, the decision to isolate certain areas in Colombo was taken to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus from unidentified patients.  

  Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that Maradana, Fort, Pettah, Slave Island and Dam Street police areas in the Colombo District and Kelaniya in the Gampaha District have been locked down since this morning while the isolation status in other 19 police areas in both districts remain unchanged.   

Accordingly, Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloemendhal, Kotahena, Grandpass, Foreshore, Barber Street, Maligawatta, Dematagoda, Wellampitiya, Keselwatta, Borella and Angulana in Colombo and Negombo, Ja-Ela, Ragama, Kadawatha, Wattala and Peliyagoda police areas in Gampaha are further locked down.   

However, Courts, Board of Investments (BOI) and Export Development Board (EDB) approved institutes and essential services located in the isolated areas in Colombo and Gampaha will be allowed to function despite the restrictions.   

Staff reporting for essential services in isolated areas will be able to access these areas by verifying their identities.   

Meanwhile, isolation was lifted in Horana and Ingiriya in the Kalutara District, Mawanella and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle District, Kuliyapitiya and the Kurunegala Town in the Kurunegala District from 5.00 am on Sunday.   
The restrictions imposed on people from travelling outside the Western Province was also removed from midnight yesterday.   

• Courts, BOI and EDB approved institutes and essential services located in the isolated areas in Colombo and Gampaha will be allowed to function despite the restrictions
• Staff reporting for essential services in isolated areas will be able to access these areas by verifying their identities