At least five swine farms in the North have been closed after it was confirmed that recent deaths of hundreds of pigs in those farms were due to the highly contagious viral disease of African swine fever (ASF), the Northern Provincial Department of Animal Production and Health said today.
Provincial Director of Animal Production & Health Dr S. Vaseegaran said that soon after the results on blood samples that were taken of dead animals turned out to be positive, five farms located in Palai, Jaffna, Point Pedro, and Kilinochchi were sealed with immediate effect with the assistance of police.
Since the disease is highly contagious among the pigs due to human interference, all necessary precautionary steps are taken to prevent further spread of the disease by closing all identified swine farms, the department said.
Former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan has been arrested by the CID in Batticaloa.
A person who carried a nine millimeter fire arm to the departure terminal of the Bandaranike International airport was arrested by airport police yesterday.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned by the Bribery Commission following a statement he made supporting MP Chamara Sampath Dissanayake who is in custody.
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