SriLankan Airlines, issuing a statement today (12) confirmed that an employee of the airline at SriLankan Cargo operations division at the Bandaranaike International Airport has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus this morning.

"The staff member in concern is a resident of the Gampaha district and is currently admitted to hospital and receiving necessary treatment," the statement added.

The full statement as follows;

Urgent statement from SriLankan Airlines

October 12, 2020, Colombo: SriLankan Airlines wishes to confirm media reports stating that an employee of the airline at SriLankan Cargo operations division at the Bandaranaike International Airport tested positive for the COVID-19 virus this morning.

The staff member in concern is a resident of the Gampaha district and is currently admitted to hospital and receiving necessary treatment.  It is believed that he has contracted the virus from external sources.

50 co-workers who worked on the shift roster with the affected member of staff have been subjected to PCR tests. The results are awaited.

The airline has taken every step to protect the workforce as per government COVID-19 health care guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus within the organization and continues to work closely with health and other government agencies.