Novel variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have not been detected in Sri Lanka, Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe confirmed.
In a special statement, he said that samples tested by the Medical Research Institute in May 2025 only revealed previously identified sub-lineages.
No signs of increased severity or complications linked to the virus have been observed in recent cases.
Sri Lanka’s Respiratory Surveillance System indicated that 3% of respiratory specimens tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in 2024, peaking at 9.6% in May.
The current average positivity rate of COVID-19 in 2025 is about 2%, with a slight uptick noted in May.
A global rise in COVID-19 cases has been reported since February 2025, particularly in several Asian countries, according to WHO data.
Dr. Jasinghe emphasized that health authorities remain vigilant, and the public should not panic, even amid seasonal respiratory illness increases.
He advised that those with fever or mild respiratory symptoms do not need hospitalization unless they experience difficulty breathing.
The public is urged to follow good respiratory hygiene—such as handwashing, wearing masks when ill, and avoiding crowded places.
Special care should be taken to protect vulnerable groups like the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and people with chronic diseases or compromised immunity.
