The circular issued by the Western Provincial Council encouraging mask use due to increased respiratory illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19 variants, has been withdrawn.

According to the Western Province Chief Secretary’s office, withdrawal had taken place after a wrong interpretation of the letter had circulated on social media.

The Western Province Chief Secretary said the circular was issued only for the employees of the Western Province Ministries and departments housed at the Western Provincial Council building and not for all workers of the government sector.

MoH clarification

Earlier, Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe had confirmed that there is no general requirement to mandate face masks in government offices.

In a letter to the Western Province Chief Secretary, Dr. Jasinghe stressed that any such advisories should be issued solely based on health ministry guidance to avoid public panic and ensure consistency in health messaging.

He had explained that following the end of the COVID-19 global pandemic in mid-2023, the virus has been categorized under standard respiratory disease surveillance, alongside influenza. While respiratory illnesses may rise during the rainy season, existing public health strategies are sufficient, and COVID-19 no longer constitutes a special risk that warrants exceptional precautions.

Dr. Jasinghe further cautioned that issuing broad face mask mandates without Health Ministry consultation could lead to unnecessary public anxiety and disrupt normal operations. However, he noted that individuals are free to wear masks voluntarily or based on medical advice for personal protection.

Additionally, the Ministry does not support restricting individuals with mild symptoms like colds or coughs from attending work. Instead, it encourages those with symptoms to practice good hygiene and wear masks to protect others.

The Sinhala media release of the clarification by issued by the Ministry of Health in this regard, is as follows :

An Internal Affairs Unit has been established within the Presidential Secretariat premises to receive inquiries and complaints related to the services provided by the Presidential Secretariat. 

The unit was officially declared open today (June 04) by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Inquiries or complaints related to the services can be submitted to the following address:

The Internal Affairs UnitPresidential Secretariat, Colombo 01
Telephone: 011 235 4495
WhatsApp: 071 640 2654
Email: [email protected]

Samindu Dilshan Piyumanga, the main suspect of the “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” murder was produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (June 04) for an identification parade.

Piyumanga, who is currently held at Boossa Prison, was brought to court under tight security. 

Two eyewitnesses were presented during the parade, but neither was able to positively identify him as the gunman, reports say.

The suspect was later presented before Chief Magistrate Tanuja Lakmali in her chambers and was ordered to be remanded further until June 06. The Magistrate also directed that he appear via Skype for the next hearing.

Ganemulla Sanjeewa, an alleged gang leader remanded in connection with 19 murder cases, was shot dead on February 19 inside the No. 05 Magistrate’s Court at the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex.