The Government has decided to summon Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, for the meetings of the COVID19 Task Force with immediate effect.

Prior to his position as Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, he served as the Director General of Health Services, where he played a key role in bringing the first wave of the pandemic under control. Many observers said Jasinghe was "kicked upstairs" as a ministry secretary due to internal issues within the administration.

A senior official of the Ministry of Health told the media that the government has decided to call him while he is the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment to assist in this matter again.