March 2020 Updates
On-Ground Updates
31st March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is 104. The number of patients under observation are 173. A total of 16 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.Source: Epidemiology Unit
30th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is 108. The number of patients under observation are 117. A total of 11 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.Source: Epidemiology Unit
29th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is 104. The number of patients under observation are 117. A total of 10 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. Sri Lanka recorded its first COVID-19 related death yesterday (28th March).Source: Epidemiology Unit
28th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is 97. The number of patients under observation are 199. A total of nine patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.Source: Epidemiology Unit
27th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is 99. The number of patients under observation are 238. A total of seven patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.Source: Epidemiology Unit
26th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka remains at 99, as no new patients were detected on 25th March 2020. The number of patients under observation are 247. A total of three patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.Source: Epidemiology Unit
25th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is currently at 99. The number of patients under observation are 255.Source: Epidemiology Unit
24th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is currently at 95. The number of patients under observation are 229.Source: Epidemiology Unit
23rd March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Recovers
The first Sri Lankan COVID-19 patient, a 52 year old tour guide, has completely recovered and been discharged from the IDH hospital, according to Health Authorities.Source: Newswire.lk
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is currently at 86. The number of patients under observation are 227.Source: Epidemiology Unit
22nd March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is currently at 77. There are 222 patients under observation.Source: Epidemiology Unit
21st March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is currently at 76.Source: Health Promotion Bureau
- Extension of Curfew in Colombo, Gampaha & Puttalam
The ongoing curfew in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha and Puttalam has been extended till 6:00 AM on Tuesday (24). The curfew for these three districts will be re-enforced at 2:00 PM on the same day.
In the meantime, the curfew in other districts will be lifted at 6:00 AM on Monday (23) and will be re-enforced at 2:00 PM on the same day.Source: Ada Derana
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka is 71. The total number of patients under observation are 245.Source: Epidemiology Unit
- Tourists Without Airport Transfers Urged to Contact Police
Tourists who are unable to find transportation to travel to the airport are requested to contact the nearest police station. A 24-hour helpline – 1912 – is in operation for tourists who seek assistance during this time.Source: Sri Lanka Tourism
20th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The number of active COVID-19 positive patients in Sri Lanka has risen to 70.Source: Ada Derana
- Government Bans All Leisure Trips, Pilgrimages and Tours
The Government has banned all leisure trips, pilgrimages and tours within the country until further notice.Source: Ada Derana
- Island-wide curfew to be imposed until Monday
The President’s Office has announced that an Islandwide Police curfew will be imposed with effect from 6:00 PM today until 6:00 AM on Monday (23).Source: Ada Derana
19th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Seven more patients have tested positive for COVID-19 on 19th March 2020 in Sri Lanka. This brings the total active COVID-19 patients in the country to 59.Source: Ada Derana
- Government Declares Six Day Period for Public and Private Sectors to Work from Home
The Government has declared a period of six working days, from 20th – 27th March 2020, for employees of the public and private sectors to work from home. This measure is being implemented as a means to limit the possible spread of COVID-19.Source: Ada Derana
18th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Nine more patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on 18th March 2020. There are 50 active cases in the country at present.Source: Ada Derana
- All Pilgrimages and Leisure Trips Within Sri Lanka Banned
The Health Minister announced that all pilgrimages and leisure trips within Sri Lanka have been banned until further notice.Source: Ada Derana
- Police curfew to be imposed in Puttalam, Chilaw & Negombo-Kochchikade
The government has decided to impose police curfew in the Puttalam District and Kochchikade Police Division in Negombo from 4.30 pm this evening (18 March).
The curfew will be enforced in 11 police divisions in Puttalam, 7 in police divisions in Chilaw and the Kochchikade police division in Negombo.Source: Ada Derana
- CMC Closes Parks, Grounds, Libraries
The Colombo Municipal Council has decided to close down all of its recreational parks (including Vihara Maha Devi Park), fitness centres, community centres, clinics, sports grounds, reception halls and libraries for a period of two weeks.Source: Daily Mirror
- Closure of Historic Sites During Holiday Period
The Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs has notified the public that all historical and archaeological sites would be closed during the special holiday period (16-19 March) imposed by the government due to COVID-19. Local and foreign visitors have been asked to refrain from tours to these sites during this period.Source: News.lk
- Visa Extension for Foreigners in Sri Lanka
The Government has decided to extend the validity period of all types of Visas issued to all foreigners who are currently in Sri Lanka. The validity period of all types of Visas will be extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14th March – 12th April 2020.
Foreign nationals are informed to visit the Visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on either 08th or 09th of April 2020 to pay the relevant fee and to get the visa endorsed in the Passport. For those who intend to leave the island during the aforementioned period; the journey will be facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the Airport without any penalty.
The validity period of the Acknowledgement issued for applications already submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to obtain visas will also be extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14th March – 12th April 2020.
Any inquiries on the matter can be made through 0771588724.Source: Ada Derana
17th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Six more patients tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on 17th March 2020, bringing the total active cases in Sri Lanka to 34.Source: Newswire.lk
- Sri Lanka Halts Passenger Arrivals at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA)
Sri Lanka will suspend passenger arrivals from all countries at BIA in Katunayake starting midnight tomorrow, 18th March 2020. The arrival of passengers will be halted until 31st March. It is reported that cargo, departures and transit are to be continued.Source: Newswire.lk
- Travel Ban on Qatar, Bahrain and Canada
The Civil Aviation Authority has announced that passengers from Qatar, Bahrain and Canada will not be permitted to land in Sri Lanka starting from midnight today (17). The travel ban will be in place for two weeks.
This restriction will not apply to passengers transiting Qatar, Canada or Bahrain, if they are not nationals of the three countries.Source: Daily Mirror
- COVID-19 Patient Update
A total of ten patients tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on 16th March 2020, bringing the total active cases in Sri Lanka to 28.Source: Ada Derana
16th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Ten more patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on 16th March 2020. This brings the total active cases in Sri Lanka to 28.Source: Newswire.lk
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The total number of active COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka as at 11:00 AM on 16th March 2020 is 18.Source: Ada Derana
- Closure of National Museums
The 11 national museums under the Department of Museums will be closed indefinitely.Source: Ada Derana
- Sri Lanka Limits Provision of Consular Services in More Overseas Missions
The Ministry of Foreign Relations has initiated action to regulate consular services in the United Kingdom (London), Belgium (Brussels) and Norway (Oslo).
Accordingly, from 16th March 2020, consular services offered by Sri Lanka Missions in these countries will be limited to the issuance of emergency travel documents, issuance of certification and related documents connected to death, and any other emergency services considered necessary.Source: Ada Derana
15th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
The Government Information Department has confirmed that seven more patients have tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of active cases in Sri Lanka to 18. The seven patients had arrived from Italy and were in the quarantine facility in Kandakadu.Source: Newswire
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Another patient has tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on 15th March 2020. This brings the number of active cases to 11. The patient was a travel companion of an already diagnosed Sri Lankan COVID-19 patient who arrived from Germany.Source: Ada Derana
- Hotline for COVID-19 Information
The government introduces hotline 117 active from 8:00 PM today (15) for the public to seek or provide information on COVID-19.Source: Ada Derana
- Travel Beginning from UK, Norway and Belgium Banned
All travel beginning from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway will be banned for a period of two weeks with effect from 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) on 16th March 2020. The ban will commence on all flights arriving after 16th March 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) and end on the 30th of March 2020 2400hrs (local time in Sri Lanka).Accordingly, all airlines are strongly instructed not to board during the aforementioned period in any of their flights destined to Sri Lanka, any passenger who is either originating from the aforementioned States or who has been in any of those countries within the last 14 days.Source: Newswire.lk
- Closure of National Parks
All National Parks Managed by the Department of Wildlife Conservation will be closed for 14 Days from 15th March 2020. All other wildlife tourism activities including Marine Mammal Watching (Whale/Dolphin Watching) are also closed for visitors during the period. - COVID-19 Patient Update
Total number of confirmed active COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka as of 10:00 AM on 15th March 2020 are ten (10).Source: Ada Derana
- Sri Lanka Navy Geared to Handle COVID-19 at Ports
The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a drill at the harbor yesterday (14th March) to rehearse Standard Operational Procedure that could be adopted in the event of transferring a suspected COVID-19 patient from a ship to hospital ashore and quarantining a particular area on the land.Source: Ada Derana
- Sri Lanka Limits Provision of Consular Services in Overseas Missions
The Ministry of Foreign Relations has decided to limit the provision of consular services in 11 Sri Lanka Missions overseas commencing 16th March until further notice. These Missions have arranged to restrict services related only to the issuance of temporary/emergency travel documents, issuance and certification of documents relevant to deaths of Sri Lankans and any other emergency consular service deemed necessary, on a case by case basis. This will be done based on prior appointments obtained from the Missions.Source: Daily Mirror
- Ban on Public Gatherings
The Police Media Division stated that hosting any event, including gatherings that involve large crowds of people will be prohibited for two weeks with effect from 15th March 2020.Source: News First
14th March 2020
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Five more confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Sri Lanka today, 14th March 2020. Four patients had recently returned from Italy and the fifth is a relative of one of the confirmed patients. This brings the total number of current cases in Sri Lanka to 10.Source: Ada Derana & Ada Derana
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Last confirmed patient identified on 13th March 2020. Total confirmed cases in Sri Lanka are six (1 foreign and 5 local). One patient has already been discharged and the other five are receiving treatment. A total of 103 individuals are under observation.Source: Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health & Indigenous Medical Services
- Screening of Films Halted
All movie theatres under the purview of the National Film Corporation have been requested by the Cultural Affairs Ministry to suspend screening of movies until further notice. The decision was made taking into consideration the prevailing health concerns due to the threat of COVID-19 in the country.Source: Ada Derana
13th March 2020
- Suspension of Visa for Passengers from Europe
The Government has suspended the issuance of visas to passengers from European countries for a period of two weeks.Source: Daily Mirror
- Sri Lankan Passengers from Europe to be Quarantined
All Sri Lankans arriving to the island from Europe will be quarantined for a period of 14 days.Source: Ada Derana
- COVID-19 Patient Update
Three more confirmed patients were identified on 13th March 2020. The patients had arrived from Germany and Italy. They are currently receiving treatment.This brings the total of current confirmed cases to five.Source: Ada Derana
- Travel Ban on Eight Additional Countries for Two Weeks
Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced that all travel beginning from France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria will be banned for two weeks from 15 – 29 March 2020.All airlines flying to Sri Lanka are strongly instructed not to board any passenger, either originating from the aforementioned countries or who has been to these countries within the last 14 days.Source: Ada Derana
- Two Week Travel Ban on all Passengers Arriving from South Korea, Italy and Iran
The Government of Sri Lanka has imposed a two week travel ban on passengers from South Korea, Italy and Iran, starting 14th March 2020.Accordingly, the Government has advised all airlines to refrain from boarding passengers either originating from South Korea, Italy and Iran, or having been in any of the three countries within the last 14 days.Source: Economy Next
- Self-declaration Forms for All Travellers
Passengers of all international flights entering into Sri Lanka from any port are required to provide personal particulars, address and contact number in Sri Lanka, and travel history to health officials and immigration officials.Source: Sri Lanka Tourism - Hotline for COVID-19 Information
The Department of Government Information has shared two hotline numbers for the general public to obtain information on COVID-19.The numbers are +94 710107107 or +94 (0) 113071073.Source: Ada Derana
- COVID-19 Patient Update
There are currently two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka. One is a tour guide who accompanied a group of Italian tourists and the second shared lodgings with the guide. Both patients are currently receiving treatment.Sri Lanka has reported no deaths from COVID-19.Source: Sri Lanka Tourism
12th March 2020
- On-arrival Visa Suspended
Sri Lanka has indefinitely suspended the issuance of on-arrival visas for all visitors.Source: Daily FTVisa applications need to be made prior to arrival, through the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) website here.
- Closure of Schools
The Ministry of Education has declared that all schools on the island will be closed from 13th March to 20th April 2020.Source: Ada Derana