Sri Lanka, May 8 -- Sri Lanka has been successful so far, compared to most countries in the world, in the fight against Covid-19. The mind-numbing figures of death and infection streaming in from many parts of the globe are not being reflected in Sri Lanka. An infection rate of around 700 with nine deaths in a population of over 21 million are figures to arouse excitement. But surprisingly, no glowing headlines applauding the success of this small relatively poor Indian Ocean island embellish the front pages.

Sri Lanka reacted rapidly to early warnings of a new virus strain issued by the Chinese and WHO authorities while most Western countries carried on unconcerned, believing, and perhaps even hoping, that it was only a problem for Chin...