Colombo, Dec 3 (TIWN) Sri Lanka health officials announced on Friday that the first Covid-19 infected carrying 'Omicron' variant was identified in Sri Lanka.

“As a result of our vigilance, we have been able to identify an Omicron patient following gene sequencing lab tests. There is no need get panic over this. We are dealing with the situation,” he added.  The infected who were identified with the gene sequencing had arrived in Sri Lanka a few days ago.  Following the announcement of discovery of highly transmittable Covid-19 variant from South Africa Sri Lanka banned travellors from six Afrcian countries entering the country from Saturday (November 27) midnight. The six countries were South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.