• Several staff members test positive for Covid-19

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing is functioning at a limited capacity due to a number of staff members contracting the Covid-19 virus despite tight quarantine measures in China, The Sunday Morning reliably learns.

According to sources, several members of the mission have begun working from home as they have been infected with a range of Covid-19 strains in China. When contacted, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a number of its staff in Beijing had been infected and had begun to work from home.

“Some of the staff have been infected. The Sri Lankan Ambassador in Beijing has informed the Ministry that some of the staff will work from home for the time being. However, consular services will continue,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Sri Lanka and China are in discussions regarding debt restructuring options, with Chinese support for debt restructuring pivotal for the troubled island nation to secure a $ 2.9 billion financial assistance package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

Sri Lanka and China have also indicated their keen interest in reviving a dialogue for a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

International health experts have raised concerns about the sudden increase in Covid-19 infections in China, weeks after the country reduced strict Covid-19-related health and mobility restrictions.