Trinity College clarifies

Clarifying the article appeared on Daily Mirror "13 people in Trinity College residence test Covid positive”, Trinity College said the reported 13 positive cases were not in the official residence complex.

It said one of them is a support staff member and his home is outside the College complex, on a property owned by the College.

“Over 20 families reside within the College premises and there is no involvement of any of these families. 

The full statement is as follows,

I wish to inform the Trinity Community and well-wishers that Mr. Nagarajah, a member of our support staff (plumber) has been occupying staff quarters situated outside the main campus on Dhamma Dhassi Mawatha, together with his family. Mr. Nagarajah was on leave from 6th December and has not reported to work since and has been off the school premises. His sister passed away on 8th December, and was posthumously diagnosed as positive for CoVid 19.

The adjoining quarters (at Dhamma Dhassi Mawatha) is occupied by Mr. Simpson who is an Office Assistant in the HR Department. On the 10th of December 14 PCR tests have been conducted on them and members of the two families. With the exception of Mr. Simpson the others have tested positive.

All 14, (including Mr. Simpson though tested negative), will be taken to a quarantine facility today, since the health authorities wish to repeat the PCR test on Mr. Simpson.

The first contacts have been identified, the premises have been disinfected and we are following the situation very closely with the able assistance of the health authorities and medical professionals who are old boys.

We request your prayers and empathy for the affected and their families at this difficult time of need.

The school activities have been online prior to closing on the 11th December 2020 for Christmas Vacation and will resume on the 4th of January 2021 as per the directions of the Ministry of Education.

Respice Finem

Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB
Principal