The number of COVID-19 positive patients was reported as 588, with 65 new cases recorded on April 27th, according to the Health Promotions Bureau. This is the highest number recorded in a day in the country.
Meanwhile, it was reported earlier in the day, that of those infected by the virus, a 180 were from the Navy. Most of them were those attached to the Welisara Navy Camp. Some of them had been on home leave, resulting in the Army Commander, and Head of the COVID-19 Task Force Shavendra Silva announcing on April 26 that leave of all Tri-Forces officers had been cancelled and requesting them to report back to camp.
Given this situation, the Presidential Secretariat in a media release announced today that a Task Force led by the Governor of the Western Province retired Marshal of the Force Roshan Gunatilleke has been appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to study and prepare a report on the situation in all the military camps.
The Task Force which is made up of retired service personnel and health professionals is expected to draw up and implement a comprehensive plan to ensure the health and safety of members of Tri-Forces from the Corona-virus. It is also an attempt to prevent the spread of the virus into the community.
