Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva says 296 naval officers currently with COVID19.

"The large majority of them," the Army Commander said, "was found from the Welisara camp while others had gone to their villages on leave."

A total of 1,031 of their family members in quarantine centres maintained by the tri-forces.

He also added that over 4500 people are currently in quarantine centres run by the military.

The Army Commander said 187 people from Beruwala, who were undergoing quarantine, have been permitted to return to their homes.