PCR testing for COVID-19 15 MPs had tested negative

• All staff members other than two of them, had also tested negative

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Fifteen MPs who underwent PCR testing including Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane had tested negative for Covid-19, Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando said yesterday.  

Mr. Fernando told Daily Mirror that all staff members other than two of them, were also found to have tested negative. “PCRs of about two staff members were problematic. They will be made to undergo second PCR tests,” he said.   

He said around 300 PCR tests were done yesterday. Besides, 463 tests were done on Wednesday.   
The MPs who tested negative according to the parliamentary media unit are Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene, Gamini Lokuge, W.D.J. Senaviratne, Prasanna Ranaweera, Ranjith Maddumabandara, Tissa Attanayake, Thushara Indunil, Vadivel Suresh, Patali Champika Ranawaka,  J.C. Alawathuwala, Gunathilaka Rajapakse, Dilip Wedaarachchi, Sarath Fonseka, Chandima Weerakkody and Jayantha Ketagoda.   

Meanwhile the Business Committee in Parliament will meet on Monday, January 18, 2021 to decide whether sessions could be conducted during the week beginning from Tuesday, January 19, 2021. 

• They will be made to undergo second PCR tests