Authorities in Sri Lanka on Friday revealed that the country has detected the first case of the COVID-19 virus with the South African variant, according to a report in Colombopage.

The man had recently returned from Tanzania and was staying at a quarantine centre, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Director of the Institute of Allergy and Immunology and Cell Biology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. 

He also revealed the first case of E484K mutant, commonly known as the South Asian variant, found in the country. 

93 samples were sent for the genome sequencing, four of them found to be of the UK strain, and the one of the South African. Earlier, the authorities in Sri Lanka had said the Covishield vaccine was less effective in the South African variant. And the remaining positive cases were of the Sri Lanka variant. 

Some independent experts had warned the Sri Lankan government to tighten their border control measures to check the spread of the new variant. 

The risk of the spread of new variants is also high now as the Sri Lankan government has eased many border restrictions, keeping the economical aspects in mind. The country is also pushing for the revival of its tourism industry now, which could further complicates the situation.