The cabinet has approved a sum of Rs. 10 b to settle outstanding pharmaceutical bills in 2019. Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardana  speaking at a press conference today said that this measure was taken to ensure continuous supply of necessary drugs in light of the spread of the coronavirus. "The previous government left outstanding pharmaceutical bills. We have to pay these in order ensure that we continuously receive necessary medicines and pharmaceutical items,"Gunawardana added.