A spokesperson for the Sri Lankan government has claimed that drinking black tea may help fight against the coronavirus, as Sri Lanka's tea association began selling the product online this week.

Ramesh Pathirana, who is himself a doctor and member of the SLFP, said that there was “circumstantial evidence to say that drinking hot black tea can support the prevention of COVID-19”.

The US embassy in Colombo has reached out to the Sri Lankan government to ensure that exports continue in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak on the island, reports the Daily Mirror.

US companies bought more than US$ 2.7 billion Sri Lankan goods and services in 2018, and with Sri Lanka’s already weak economy hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, Washington has sought to ensure that those exports continue.

With healthcare workers across the globe working to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, we look at some of the Tamils on the frontlines of the battle to save lives.

<p>1,493 people have been arrested in the last 24 hours including 105 in Mannar, in the Tamil homeland.</p> <p>Thus far 12,223 people have been arrested since the island imposed curfew which started at 6 pm 20 March. The police have also seized a total of 3,017 vehicles.</p> <p>Read more from the <a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_20A/Apr04_1585980618CH.php">Colombo Page.</a></p>

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has continued to rise in Sri Lanka, reaching a new high of 162 this morning.

There have been 5 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 so far.

In Jaffna, 3 new cases were confirmed this morning. Sri Lanka’s president declared Jaffna amongst the island’s “High Risk Zones” that have been subject to a military enforced curfew.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has put out a statement condemning the spread of fake news on social media platforms with various false messages claiming to be from him.

On Twitter the Sri Lankan President stated;

“Beware of fake news & messages being circulated under my name via messenger platforms. Any announcement or message will be published only through official channels of Presidents Media Division & verified Facebook & Twitter accounts,”

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has been promoting the potential use of black tea as an “immunity booster”, as the government began arresting people on the island for spreading “fake news”.

Updated 2230 GMT

The owner of a private Canadian company has reportedly blocked Tamil fishermen in Mullaitivu from going out to sea, with the assistance of the Sri Lankan security forces, seriously threatening their livelihood amidst a military enforced curfew during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sri Lankan police officers arrested a member of the Chavakachcheri Municipal Council for an alleged curfew violation earlier this week, despite the man carrying a valid permit as he delivered supplies to under privileged families in Jaffna.

The council member was arrested alongside three other volunteers whilst delivering food in the Varani area.

The vehicle they had been travelling in was also seized by the police. 

 

<p>Following the outbreak of coronavirus on the island, “Sri Lanka’s inspector general has ordered police to arrest those who ‘criticise’ officials involved in the coronavirus response, or share ‘fake’ or ‘malicious’ messages about the pandemic,” writes Meenakshi Ganguly, the South Asia Director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).</p> <p>“Blanket censorship and threats of arrest for speech not only violate Sri Lanka’s obligations under international human rights law, but are counter-productive,” she added.</p>