Coronavirus stokes unwarranted paranoia: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday there was no need to develop irrational fear over coronavirus as it would only lead to unnecessary stress and fear psychosis.

“The measures taken by the government in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak are commendable. During recent discussions, health officials briefed me about the precautionary measures taken. Hence, there is no need to develop irrational fear over this malady,” he said addressing the 134th commemoration ceremony of the Most Venerable Ambagahawatte Saranankara Mahanayake Thera held recently at Sri Sarananda Pirivena Vihara in Anuradhapura.

“Some incidents were reported in which locals had deboarded buses when foreigners got onboard. These types of incidents had taken place even in buses plying on expressways. We believe this fear is unwarranted. False information leads to stress and unnecessary fear. We should prevent this," he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)