No need for foreign troops assistance to handle COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka: Defence Secretary

Sri Lanka has plans to have foreign troops deployed in country to combat coronavirus as island nation's military and police have shown ir capabilities in tackling pandemic, according to Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne.

dressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Gunaratne said Sri Lankan forces were well prepared to tackle all challenges posed by COVID-19.

"Our military has alrey shown ir expertise and professionalism in handling emergency situation created under coronavirus threat," Gunaratne said.

Defence Secretary was referring to a recent news report which claimed that Indian Army would be deployed in Sri Lanka to support country's efforts to control spre of coronavirus, state-run Daily News quoted Gunaratne as saying.

He also said re was such dialogue between two nations, newspaper reported.

Sri Lanka has so far reported 330 positive cases with 7 deaths, according to World Health Organisation.

Emphasising that re was need for foreign militaries to help Sri Lanka, he said island nation's military is at forefront of COVID-19 prevention operations.

" special mechanism set up for purpose is heed by Army Commander Shavendra Silva. Army runs quarantine Centers located in different parts of island," he said.

Gunaratne said Sri Lanka would set an example for or nations, which are battling with coronavirus, on how a country could use its intelligence ncies with military and health authorities effectively to control spre of highly infectious virus.

“Sri Lanka’s intelligence ncies have been used to trace people who are closely associated with Coronavirus positive patients and also ir whereabouts to direct m to 14-days quarantine process,” he said.