The Ministry of Defence said over 170 Lankans from Italy and Korea have evaded quarantine and promised legal actions against those who fail to comply.

“There are over 170 passengers, who have returned to Sri Lanka from Korea and Italy and are living with families. As a precautionary measure, we need to get them into the screening process to detect positive cases" Defence Ministry Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.

“The passengers who arrived from coronavirus-hit countries and are hiding to evade quarantine will be instructed by the Police and SLA soldiers...to be quarantined in their own houses by staying indoors.

He said those who arrived in Sri Lanka between March 1-5 from European countries including the UK, Iran, Italy and South Korea to register at the nearest Police station and inform the Police immediately.