31 January 2020 12:01 am
By JAMILA HUSAIN
Chinese officials have unofficially raised concerns with the Sri Lankan government over some incidents of discrimination faced by Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka, stating that they were being turned away from public areas such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, spas and supermarkets by locals who were worried that they may be carrying the novel coronavirus, the Daily Mirror learns.
Informed sources in the government said that China had unofficially updated Sri Lankan authorities over some such incidents and it is learnt that the matter will be discussed when the government’s special task force meet today afternoon.
Sources said that the matter had been unofficially brought to the notice of the Presidential Secretariat as well and it was being looked into.
“There is no need for anyone to discriminate against Chinese nationals as the Health Ministry has issued guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. It has been brought to the government’s notice, that some Chinese nationals had been turned away from hospitals while waiters had refused to serve them at some restaurants and hotels. This will be looked into,” government sources said.
The Police said that while they had seen several social media posts stating that Chinese nationals were being turned away from public areas, they had not yet received any official complaint.
However a police spokesperson said the matter would be discussed with the Defense Ministry if a complaint is lodged.