Sri Lanka, June 2 -- Novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus that cause COVID-19 disease have not been detected in Sri Lanka, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe has confirmed.

Issuing a special statement on the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said in May 2025, specimens tested by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) confirmed the presence of previously identified sub-lineages of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Health stated despite the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus, novel variants were not detected during recent tests, and no evidence of increased severity or complications has been reported.

According to Sri Lanka's Respiratory Surveillance System, during 2024, 3% of respiratory specim...