The President will fulfill the request of the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters on imposing a lockdown, State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana said.
The State Minister further said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to make a statement in this regard.
Earlier, in a letter addressed to the President, the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiriya Chapters had requested a one-week nationwide lockdown due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, Minister Gamini Lokuge said an announcement will be made tonight on how long the lockdown will be imposed in the country.
The Minister indicated that there would be a lockdown, but that essential services will continue to operate.
The comments were made to the media, following a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to deliver a special statement to the state today, while the time is yet to be announced. (NewsWire)