Provincial Education Secretary Y. Wickramasiri said the primary section of schools in Galle, Matara, Mulatiyana, Akuressa, Tangalle, Walasmulla, Morawaka and Udugama will be closed till Friday and would be opened on May 28.

Several children under one year and elderly people who were infected with the unidentified viral disease have died and at least 600 people are receiving treatment at several hospitals in the region because of a viral respiratory disease spreading in the South.

On Monday (21), the Provincial Education Minister said all preschools in the Southern Province would be closed till May 25 and primary section of other schools in six educational zones would be closed till Wednesday (23).