The Sri Lankan army and police are increasing their presence at hospitals treating COVID-19 patients, in an apparent move to stop patients ‘escaping’.
Sri Lankan security forces claim this move is in response to a patients’ escape from a hospital in Mulleriyawa.
“At present most hospitals are protected by private security guards,” Police Media Spokesman SSP Jaliya Senaratne told reporters. “In addition, the hospitals have been provided security by the Sri Lanka police and the army to coordinate with the security personnel.”
Most recently, 39 officers have been deployed to the country’s main infectious disease hospital in Mulleriyawa, 48 officers have been deployed at Welikanda Hospital, and air force personnel have been deployed at Negombo Hospital.
This increase in military presence comes after a series of military interventions into civilian social structures. The government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has included heavy reliance on the military. Quarantine centres have been established in areas that are largely home to Tamils and Muslims these centres are run by armed troops.
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