Colombo: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to cancel all public meetings to raise awareness on the importance of minimising gatherings in the wake of the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic which has infected 18 people in the island nation.

Speaking to the Daily Financial Times newspaper, Rajapaksa's spokesman Premanath Dolawatte said on Sunday that the decision was taken to support the government's quarantine measures to contain the disease's spread.

He added that the Prime Minister had instructed officials to minimise public events, while the government has decided to cancel all public and private sector events for two weeks which came into effect on Sunday

"This was a decision taken by the Prime Minister to promote public safety. Usually thousands of people gather for meetings that the Prime Minister attends. Therefore, he decided to not to attend any event until the situation is under control," he said.