Colombo health authorities said 16 workers attached to the Wijeya newspaper group have tested positive for COVID19.

Wijeya newspaper group, owned by businessman Ranjith Wijewardena, is the largest private newspaper company in the country.

However, sources within the company said the majority of the newly-identified cases were from the transport and dispatch sections of the newspaper. Several journalists too were tested positive for the virus. The compant is yet to make an official announcement on the new cases and the safety precautions sopted by them.

"Most journalists are working from home. So, editorial fucntions can be carried out without a problem," a source familiar with the developments said.

However, no final decision has so far been made on placing the company premies under lockdown.