The Samagi Jana Balawegaya today requested the government to provide school children with free facemasks.

This comes at a time when the government is preparing to re-open the schools in all areas in the midst of a raging pandemic.

Addressing a press conference at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo, SJB MP Gayantha Karunathilake said the cost of facemasks was unbearable for a family with two or three children.

"Facemasks are as essential as school uniforms, shoes and stationery. Therefore, we urge the government to provide schoolchildren with free facemasks before the reopening of schools, " he added,

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has previously called on the government to provide facemasks free of charge to all citizens.