At a time when governments around the world are racing against time to vaccinate their population, Sri Lankan scientists have come up with a high-tech face mask that kills viruses on its surface, including COVID-19.  Scientists from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka developed this mask following a long period of research. The mask was unveiled in the Sri Lankan parliament on Sunday in the presence of the country’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, reported Newswire.

Gamini Rajapaksa, a senior professor of chemistry at the University of Peradeniya who conducted the research, presented the mask to the prime minister. He said that the mask is made of three layers and is one of the most technologically advanced face masks in the world.

The first layer, he claimed, is made to remove liquids, such as saliva with immediate effect, whilst a special chemical in the second layer destroys the virus that finds its way and enters and that the third layer functions to evaporate saliva droplets.

The mask can be washed and reused twenty-five times consecutively, he added.

Dr. Chaminda Herath, a senior member of the research team, claimed that the face mask is more secure than the currently used KN 95 face masks.

According to research conducted by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, it has been confirmed that 99% of the viruses that retain on the face mask is been destroyed.

Presently, the production is focused on making it available in the local market in Sri Lanka but the government has also planned to export it at a later stage.