Former opposition MP and Samagi Jana Balawegaya national list candidate Mayantha Dissanayake requested the government to "stop politicking" and take rapid action to contain the spread of COVID19 in Sri Lanka.

Dissanayake's remarks came after 252 new cases were reported from the Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

"It is now clear that the COVID19 trajectory in #SriLanka has taken an unexpected turn. My request is for the government to stop politicking and take appropriate action as soon as possible to address this issue," Dissanayake, who also heads the youth wing of the SJB, tweeted.

The number of COVID19 patients in Sri Lanka now stands at 2350.