Courts, Board of Investments (BOI) and Export Development Board (EDB) approved institutes, and essential services located in the isolated areas in Colombo are able to function despite the restrictions, the Department of Government Information stated.

However, they are to be operated under strict adherence to government-issued health safety guidelines, the Director-General of the Department added.

Meanwhile, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said that despite the decision to isolate Maradana, Fort, Pettah, Slave Island, and Dam Street, essential service providers located in those areas could continue operations.

Joining the TV Derana breakfast show ‘Derana Aruna’ this morning (15), the Army Commander said that this decision was taken considering the essential service providers located in the area.

“Fort, Pettah, Slave Island, these are the places where many of the major essential service providers are located. It is not possible to shut them down. Accordingly, these isolations orders have been issued in such a way that those essential services can be maintained.”

He added that they do not intend to change the operation of buses or trains commencing from Colombo Fort.

Accordingly, staff reporting for essential services in these areas will be able to access these areas by verifying their identities.

Lieutenant General Silva added that these activities are being carried out on the notification of the heads of the institutions that provide the relevant essential services.