The global mortality rate of COVID-19 currently less than 5%, which is much lower than those of SARS (≈10%), MERS (≈35%) and Ebola (≈50%). However, it is more infectious and differs from other pandemics in terms of the infectious period, transmissibility, clinical severity and the extent of community spread. When compared with many developed countries, Sri Lanka has made great strides in combating COVID-19 and keeping the mortality rate low. For instance, the case fatality rate (ratio of confirmed deaths to confirmed cases) thus far observed in Sri Lanka is only about 0.6% as against 19.1 % in France, 14.3% in Italy, 7.8% in Canada, 5.6% in China, 4.1% in Cuba, 2.9% in India and 2.4% in S. Korea.

Therefore, the achievements of Sri Lanka are commendable in a global context. They were made possible by a combination of the relevant authorities fulfilling their mission with dedication, devotion and distinction and the resolute and effective leadership of the country at a time when the whole globe was shaken by an unprecedented pandemic. Read more