AG’s Dept. declared out of bounds after security officer tests positive for COVID-19

• Judicial Services Commission urgently informed of decision 
• Appeals to postpone all cases where State is a party 
• SIS informed to conduct necessary contact tracing of anyone who interacted with security officer 

The Attorney General’s (AG’s) Department was declared out of bounds yesterday after a security officer attached to the Department tested positive for COVID-19.

Additional Solicitor General (Administration) Sumathi Dharmawardena P.C. sent an urgent letter to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Secretary, informing him of the decision to close the Department following the detection of a COVID-19 infected person.

Dharmawardena, in his letter, said that the AG’s Department employs a private security firm whose personnel are stationed and deployed in the Department at various points, including the main reception.

“The daily meals for the private security personnel are provided by one [female] security officer living in the Hulftsdorp area and the prepared meals have been conveyed to the Department by a male security officer,” it was disclosed.

On Sunday afternoon, Dharmawardena had been informed that the female security officer was admitted to the IDH Hospital having tested positive for COVID-19. He had also been informed by the SSP Colombo Central that the security officer is a close associate of the male security officer.

“Steps have already been taken to inform the relevant authorities of the above situation and investigations are being carried out by the Police and other relevant authorities. The premises of the Department have been declared as out of bounds to all and it remains closed until further notice. The SIS has been informed to conduct necessary investigations with regard to contact tracing,” the official informed the JSC.

He added that all officers have been informed to refrain from entering the premises until further notice. “You will understand that officers of the Attorney General’s Department will not be in a position to enter the Department and retrieve their files in order to prepare for their cases and appear in courts.

“In the circumstances, may I request the Judicial Service Commission to consider this unfortunate situation and excuse the absence of our State Counsel in Court in the coming days and also, in view, to consider the postponement of cases where State is party to a suitable date in order for State Counsel to appear in courts,” the letter added.