Public Health Inspectors (PHI) have requested for Police protection to be given to Atalugama as majority of its residents are not heeding to advice of health officials to prevent the spread of Covid 19 in the community.
There are around 20 000 families residing in the area, and PHIs say certain individuals with misconceptions about Covid 19 are avoiding PCR testing and acting in a manner harmful for Covid prevention efforts.
According to Mahinda Balasuriya, the Secretary of the PHI Association, Covid 19 appears to be spreading faster in Atalugama than within Colombo city limits. He said therefore it is important to ensure the health and safety of its residents. Currently 504 Covid cases have been reported from the area.