President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says that after the satisfactory control of the first outbreak of COVID19, the media as well as the people forgot everything and neglected their responsibilities.

"COVID19 is a “health” problem. It is the responsibility of the health service and the government to protect the people and move the country forward," President Rajapaksa said, adding that he strongly believed that the Sri Lankan health sector could control the spread of the virus

The President made this observation at a meeting of the COVID19 Task Force at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (09).

“We have three options in the face of an epidemic. One is to impose a curfew and lock down the country, the second is to do nothing, the third is to control the disease and keep the country as normal. We chose the third option, ”the President said.

“Doctors and staff have been able to diagnose and treat COVID19 patients in the first stage. Therefore, intensive care services were not required. The people must also support the prevention of the spread of the disease and the spread of infection, ”he said.

"The country cannot remain closed until the pandemic is eradicated from the world. Infections are also reported daily from areas that have been closed for nearly 40 days. That fact must be taken into account. "

“The easiest thing is to close the country. But people have to live. It is my responsibility to protect the economy by engaging in all activities including employment, agriculture and fisheries," he added.