Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said in Parliament yesterday (8) that even though all the foreign visitors and locals to Sri Lanka should be subjected to a 14 day quarantine process the Chinese Diplomats who arrived to island yesterday (8) will not be quarantined.
She said that this party consists of a top Chinese official and the second of the Communist Party. Personnel of such a high level, she said, cannot be quarantined.
She reiterated that although the usual procedure is to quarantine everyone who arrives in the country from foreign countries, this group of diplomats therefore cannot be quarantined.
She said this responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Harsha de Silva.
“They have done PCR before arriving here. We will subject them to another PCR as well. That’s two PCR checks altogether. Even in our labs.”
Harsha de Silva: So, do you subject everyone who comes to Sri Lanka?
Pavithra Wanniarachchi: Yes, either in a private or government hospital.
Harsha de Silva: Do you quarantine everyone who arrives?
Pavithra Wanniarachchi: We cannot quarantine this group.
Harsha de Silva: No, I mean do you quarantine everyone who arrives in general?
Pavithra Wanniarachchi: Usually, yes.
Harsha de Silva: So, this group does not undergo what ordinary people do?
Pavithra Wanniarachchi: I cannot respond to this with haste. However, these officials cannot be quarantined. They are here only for a day. A top official from China.
Pavithra Wanniarachchi: As far as I know he is the second in command of the Politburo of the Communist Party. I hope you all know how the Chinese Communist Party is running their state. Such high officials cannot be quarantined.
Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in Sri Lanka, a 14-day quarantine has been made mandatory for all who arrive in the country.
