Fresh concerns have arisen as Magalkande Sudaththa Thera, the Chairman of the Sihala Rawaya organisation, has tested positive for COVID19.

He was among those who attended the funeral of the mother of Ittakande Saddhathissa Thera, another prominent hardline Buddhist monk.

The "VIP funeral" came under severe criticism on social media as it was held with the participation of a large number of people defying the current lockdown guidelines for funerals. Many questioned as to why Saddhathissa Thera, a well-known supporter of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa during the last presidential election, was above the law.

Among the participants were Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Namal Rajapaksa and a number of other senior figures in the government.