By Sarah Hannan in Rajanganaya

Although health service authorities on Monday (27) informed that the isolated zones in Rajanganaya were released from isolation, there were Police and Army-manned checkpoints at the entrance and exit points of the area and at the entrance points of the respective tracts (yayas). The Morning’s news team observed the latest situation as they visited the area last evening. When residents of the area were inquired about the situation, we were told that most of the news which was reported was factually incorrect. "The health authorities didn't put all of us through PCR tests. Only the close contacts of the first person who tested positive for Covid-19 was asked to undergo the test. Furthermore, only the schoolchildren were asked to self-quarantine from school in Yaya 5, and not all of them were taken for PCR tests as well," Sumeda Saman Kumara of 5th Milepost in Rajanganaya told The Morning. When asked how they managed to supply essentials during the lockdown, Saman Kumara said that fortunately every household had stocks of rice or vegetable patches, out of which they were able to share. The shops in 5th Milepost supply other requirements to residents, such as books, medicines, calling cards, etc. of all the tracts in the vicinity. The only pharmacy in the area had to adapt to the situation and had provided the necessary medication to its routine customers by setting up a delivery system with the assistance of the Army and the Police. "This pharmacy had to function even after it was recognised as an isolated zone. The monthly clinic-going patients were allowed to make their purchases through the delivery system, while others were able to purchase medicines through a special counter we set up upfront," W.G.T. Wijewardena, the pharmacist and owner of the pharmacy at 5th Milepost explained. Meanwhile, the general perception of the area being released from isolation seems to be indecisive, as they have been told by law enforcement authorities that they would have to close roads at a moment’s notice. "How do we even go to Anuradhapura or Thambuttegama to open our other shops for business when the Police and the Army tell us that they are uncertain of whether we will be able to go about our business as normal from 27 July onwards? On Monday they said they opened the road at 2 p.m., just to close it at 5 p.m," Dinesh Padmawardena of Rajanganaya Yaya 1, who has a gift, questioned. Padmawardena is not the only person who is affected as many others too have been inconvenienced due to the haphazard decisions the relevant authorities have taken. Although farmers were allowed to continue with their field work, they are now unable to move their paddy stocks to mills, due to the present indecisive road closures that will be imposed at any moment.

Photos Pradeep Dambarage