In an attempt to combat the coronavirus pandemic, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared a countrywide curfew which will come into effect from Friday 6pm (March 20) till 6am of March 23.

https://twitter.com/GotabayaR/status/1240856602250379266

The move was announced a day after the government declared a period of work from home for both public and private sectors starting from March 20 to 27.

The Sri Lankan government has taken this extreme step despite having only 53 coronavirus cases so far in the country 53 cases of the virus.

During the curfew, only public transport and essential services are permitted to pass through the affected areas. 

The country had already closed its international airports and placed some areas under the police curfew, while also postponing the parliamentary elections.

"Even if the WHO says Sri Lanka is free of this virus tomorrow, we will not be able to conduct the election on April 25," the top election official said.

“Whether we can have the vote in May, June or July will depend on how quickly the virus can be tackled,” he added.