On Sunday, 1075 tests had been carried out and due to one person testing positive in Dabare Mawatha in Narahenpita on Sunday, the health authorities had tested around 100 persons in that area and it was confirmed that none of them tested positive.

The PCR testing lab will be operational from tomorrow (28) at the Batticaloa Hospital, he said, adding that it was decided during a meeting held with the President yesterday to utilise the PCR testing facilities of the Colombo, Peradeniya and Kelaniya universities to conduct testing under the supervision of the Health Ministry. He noted that currently, around 1,200 PCR tests are being carried out and this measure has been taken to increase the testing capacity further.

Dr. Jasinghe also noted that the laboratory currently under construction at Mulleriyawa under Asian Development Bank funds will be ready for operation shortly. Once it is completed this lab could conduct around 1000 PCR tests per day significantly raising Sri Lanka’s PCR testing capacity.