Presdent Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is expected to deliver an address to the nation tonight.

In his address, the President is expected to express his opinion on the rising number of COVID19 deaths in Sri Lanka and the persistent calls for a countrywide lockdown.

Informed government sources say that a decision on a countrywide lockdown still hangs in the balance. Sources close to the President said that the latter was of the view that a countrywide lockdown would severely hamper the economy at this juncture.

President Rajapaksa is expected to meet the mahanayake Theras in Kandy this morning and explain the current situation to them.

Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has sent a letter to the President this morning urgim him to reconsider any plan for a countrywide lockdown due to the economic hardships faced by the pubic.