20 March 2020 03:17 am
The groups who had protested at the airport and evaded quarantine should be considered as traitors as they were directly responsible for the country’s current situation, Transport Services Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.
The minister said there were some passengers who had protested in the airport terminal building, demanding that they not be taken for quarantine and to allow them to return home without delay. He also said that some of them had even escaped the quarantine centres.
“The government will take necessary legal action against these people”, he said.
Amaraweera commented that these people were the cause of the virus spreading and who were responsible for the country’s current situation.
While appreciating the service done by the tri-forces and the health sector to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Amaraweera said that in comparison to certain other countries, our officials were dedicated to assist the infected patients.
Addressing a media briefing he said several incidents had been reported from most countries severely infected with COVID-19 where it was revealed that health and other supportive authorities had refused to handle duties of helping infected patients.
Minister also appreciated the transport sector in the country who were doing their utmost to provide an efficient service.
“The SLTB and private bus drivers, conductors and all railway department employees are giving of their best for the country in this disastrous situation,” Minister said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama and Yoshitha Perera)