KANDY - With Swine Fever Influenza HiNi reaching epidemic heights by the Central Province, Provincial Council authorities yesterday (19), decided to close schools in the Central Province for an indefinite period.

However, schools are due to close for year end vacations on December 09.

With the closure of the schools students are to forgo their year end term tests.

The decision to close schools was taken at a meeting attended by Governor Central Central, Tikiri Kobbekaduwa Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayaka and Provincial Health department officials.

Accordingly, 1470 schools with 516,000 students will be closed. Pre-schools and Dhamma Schools too will be requested to comply with the decision of the Provincial Councils administration.

Provincial authorities feared that the fever would spread since a positive case of Swine Fever Influenza HiNi was established following MRI examination into the death of a Kandy School boy recently.