Parliamentarians have been urged to undergo PCR tests after many had showed little or no cooperation following the detection of six Covid infected MPs over the last few weeks.
According to the Daily Mirror, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has appealed to Parliamentarians to undergo testing in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
The fresh call was made after only nearly 90 MPs from both the Government and Opposition had undergone PCR tests so far.
Parliament sources have revealed that there are fears that more MPs may have been infected after coming into contact with the six infected Parliamentarians.
As a result, the Speaker on the advise of health authorities has decided to table only priority Bills in the House at present and to limit all non-essential work until the spread of the virus is curtailed within the Parliament.
Parliamentarians have been instructed to limit out door events, while Parliament will operate on allocated days, but visits by dignitaries and nonessential meetings at the Parliament have been suspended.
A total of six MPs have tested positive as of yesterday.
MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara, Rauff Hakeem, and Vasudeva Nanayakkara who initially tested positive for COVID-19 have been discharged after complete recovery.
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, State Minister Piyal Nishantha, and MP Wasantha Yapa Banadara who thereafter tested positive are currently receiving treatment. (NewsWire)