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Investigations launched into the origins of the Divulapitiya COVID-19 cluster have been hindered by the increase of COVID-19 cases identified among Police officers.
According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, 40 officers attached to the Colombo Crimes Division, which was tasked with carrying out the investigation, have tested positive for COVID-19 while they were undergoing quarantine at centres. This has delayed investigations, he explained.
“The other factor is that evidence has to be documented from employees of the garment manufacturing facility in Minuwangoda. There are thus certain delays and it was discussed (on Thursday) as well,” DIG Ajith Rohana said.
He explained that following instructions from the Attorney General, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had directed the Colombo Crimes Division to conduct an investigation into the origins of the cluster.
According to the Army, 21 cases were identified from the Police on Thursday. A total of 358 Police officers in the island have tested positive for COVID-19 to date, including 199 officers from the Western Province.
Reports also surfaced that the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Ragama Police Station has tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in 10 officers being directed to undergo quarantine at the station premises.