Colombo: Sri Lanka President G. Rajapaksa’s office has announced a national wide curfew from Friday to Monday to combat the fast spreading Covid-19 pandemic that has claimed over 9, 000 lives globally.

The curfew announcement comes a day after the Country’s Election Commission announced the postponement Parliamentary election which was scheduled for April 25^th. The Commission said decision on the new date would be taken after March 25^th. The country is to be placed under a curfew with effect from 6 pm (local time) tonight until 6 am (local time) on Monday, said President’s office, although there were no reasons given for the announcement.

President Rajapaksa has refused to lock down the entire country, citing economic hardships for the poor. Sri Lankan police had previously restricted the curfew to night time in Western Coastal areas, a move aimed at tracking down returnees who were avoiding compulsory quarantine process.