Colombo: Sri Lanka’s general elections, which was scheduled to be held on April 25, have been postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Holding a special media briefing at the Election Commission, its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said the General Election will not be held on April 25 as scheduled.

The Election Commission has taken this decision considering the prevailing situation in the country owing to the threats posed by the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, he said. The number of positive COVID-19 cases in the island rose to 59.

A new date for the polls will be announced in the coming weeks, officials said. A public holiday has been in force in Sri Lanka this week and on Thursday, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a “work from home” week until March 27 for both, the public sector and the private sector. The measure, a statement from his office said, sought to prevent congregation of people.

He said that the new election date will be announced on March 26, after holding discussions with the health authorities on the prevailing situation and the means to control the Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, he continued.