Colombo: Islandwide curfew imposed by the Sri Lankan government is being lifted for eight hours March 23 except for five districts in the Northern Province, and the Colombo, Gampaha, and Puttalam Districts. The curfew which will be lifted at 8:00 am and will be re-imposed at 2:00 pm.

The President’s Media Division said that the curfew imposed in the Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, and the Jaffna Districts have been extended until 6:00 am on the 24th of March. The curfew which will be lifted at 6:00 am will be re-imposed at 2:00 pm on the same day.

Further, the residents of these districts would also be barred from leaving their respective areas.

The ban has been imposed after a pastor from Switzerland who attended a Church service in the Northern region this month tested positive for COVID – 19. The ban will be in effect until all the people who had contact with the pastor are identified.

Meanwhile, the curfew imposed in the Colombo, Gampaha, and the Puttalam districts has been extended until 6:00 am on March 24. The President’s Media Division said that the curfew in these districts will be reimposed at 2:00 pm on the same day.

In addition, the government has issued instructions to close down all liquor stores in the country even while the curfew is not in effect.  Police have also been instructed to ensure that farmers are allowed to continue their agricultural activities without any hindrances.