He instructed the officials concerned to strengthen the mechanism for the containment of this influenza without making funds an issue.The officials were also directed to provide adequate staff to the hospitals too.

The President told officials that medicine and medical implements can be purchased directly during an emergency situation without following the Tender procedure if there is a shortage. If not, he told the officials to provide a list to be forwarded to the Cabinet of Ministers tomorrow for approval. He directed the officials to ensure immediate release of funds to the provincial hospitals if there are shortcomings when treating the patients.

The President also inquired from the officials about the reports in the media that the Intensive Care Unit of the Karapitiya General Hospital lacks required facilities.The officials told the President that the ICU has been provided adequate facilities. The doctors pointed out that schools in the Southern Province were closed as the viral flu had been rapidly spreading. They said that the situation has now been contained and there is no need to close schools in the province any more.They said that there is no risk of this flu spreading.