Residents of isolated village in Ratnapura protest demanding relief

• Most of the families are daily-wage earners and their village has been under isolation since June 27

Residents of at least 125 families at Kahengama Watta Grama Niladhari Division in Ratnapura, which is currently under isolation, yesterday held a protest claiming that they have not received any food relief or the Rs.5000 allowance.

Protesters claimed that most of the families are daily-wage earners and that their village was under isolation since June 27. They urged the government to provide at least the Rs.5,000 allowance as most of the families are even unable to feed their children as they have lost their income. “We are not protesting against the Government. Our children are crying for food. That’s why we took to the street today. We will adhere to health guidelines and quarantine at home, if we are provided with relief provided by the government,” a protester said.