Govt. Medical Lab Technologists want probe on false positive PCR reports

About thirteen Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted by the laboratories other than the laboratories of the Health Ministry so far had been found to be erroneous, the Association of Government Medical Laboratory Technologists said yesterday.

Special gazette to be issued on plans to restore civilian life on May 11

The government is planning to issue a special gazette notification on the restoration of civilian lives from May 11, DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Health coverage for COVID victims through mobile operators: IRC

Several insurance companies had introduced health coverage through mobile operators to pay compensation to people diagnosed with COVID-19 and those killed by the disease, Insurance Regulatory Commission (IRC) Director General Damayanthi Fernando said.

Govt yet to categorize who can open on May 11

Despite the government stating that curfew will be relaxed for public and private sector businesses to re-open from May 11, the Daily Mirror learns that this has caused severe confusion among the public on which businesses can function from Monday as no specific categories has been listed to date.

Ukrainian engineers arrive in SL to inspect Antonov aircraft

Six Ukrainian Aviation engineers arrived in Sri Lanka this morning to inspect three Antonov aircraft belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Force Spokesman Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said.

Dubai returnee among Covid-19 patients

A Sri Lankan who returned from Dubai yesterday was among 27 Covid-19 patients reported yesterday, Director General of Health Anil Jasingha said.

Shooting at pet dog: Retired SP arrested

A retired Superintendent of Police (SP) was arrested over an incident where a pet dog was found shot dead at Periyamulla yesterday morning.

Strict guidelines proposed for tourism sector

Strict guidelines have been proposed for the tourism sector as the industry prepares to open its doors and resume operations.

Barber shops, beauty parlors to operate under strict guidelines only

The Health Ministry, today, set new strict guidelines for barber shops and beauty parlors to resume operations once the curfew is relaxed from May 11.

Update; Toll of Covid-19 cases climbs to 823

Twenty six(26) more Covid-19 infected patients were reported today increasing the total cases to 823, the Health Ministry said.

Cabinet nod to provide land to install statue of Nelson Mandela

The Cabinet has granted permission to provide space from the land owned by the Colombo Municipal Library premises to install a statue to respect Nelson Mandela, a former President of South Africa.

Hotel Dolphin completes fifth week as a quarantine centre

The Club Hotel Dolphin, Waikkala, controlled by Hemas Holdings PLC has completed its fifth successful week as a dedicated COVID-19 Quarantine Centre, Hemas Holdings PLC said today.

US 5-year-old boy with $3 pulled over while going to buy Lamborghini

A 5-year-old boy in Utah (US) was pulled over by police who was driving his parents’ car and was on his way to California to buy a brand new Lamborghini.

Another stock of 30,000 COVID-19 test kits to arrive from China

Responding to the urgent need of Sri Lankan side fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, 30,000 Coronavirus Nucleic Acid Test Kits (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) and 15,000 Disposable Coverall (PPEs), will arrive in Sri Lanka on May 8, the Chinese Embassy said.

Cabraal denies social media posts

Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister and Former Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivaard Cabraal today denied social media reports that ‘his son and daughter who had arrived recently in Sri Lanka on a special flight from London, had misbehaved at the airport upon arrival demanding VIP treatment.’

Pet dog of well known civil society activist killed

The Negombo Police has launched an investigation into an incident where a well known civil society activist’s pet dog was found killed this morning.

Private sector will commence work from next week: Labour Minister

All private institutions had agreed to recommence their operations from next week following a discussion with Skills Development, Employment, and Labour Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today.

COVID-19: Total recoveries rise to 232

Seventeen more COVID-19 infected patients have been recovered and discharged from hospitals today, the Health Ministry said.

ADB provides guarantee for USD 25 million trade loan to Sri Lanka

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a guarantee for a $25 million trade loan to the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka (SPC) to purchase medical supplies as part of the country’s response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

290 prisoners released in view of Vesak

A total of 290 prison inmates have been released in view of the Vesak Poya Day, Commissioner General of Prisons, T.M.J.W. Tennakoon said.

Assist Buddhists to commemorate Vesak: Cardinal tells Catholics

Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith urged all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Colombo to assist Buddhists in whatever way to commemorate the Vesak festival.

Army corporal killed, 8 soldiers injured in accident

An army corporal was killed and another eight soldiers were hospitalised when a cab they were travelling in skidded off the road and toppled at Girithale in Polonnaruwa early this morning.

Curfew, restrictions can’t deter our lives we live in Dhamma: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Vesak message said the curfew, restrictions or health instructions would not effect anyone in following Dhamma.

EC Chief defends his action

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya (MD) defended his action after reports surfaced he had sought special favours from the President’s office to bring down his son who was stranded overseas.

Isolated areas in Polonnaruwa re-opened

The areas in Abhayapura in Lankapura, Polonnaruwa, which were isolated due to Covid-19, had been re-opened, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

President optimistic that economy could be re-built

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is optimistic that the economy adversely affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic could be re-built on a solid basis, the President’s Media Division said.

197 stranded Sri Lankans return from Dubai

A total of 197 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Dubai due to the COVID-19 pandemic has arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

No politics during pandemic crisis - Ranil tells party loyalists

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed his party not to engage in politics at the time when the country is facing COVID-19 pandemic.

Govt. spent Rs. 50bn as relief funds in April

The government has spent Rs.50 billion to pay a stipend of Rs. 5,000 to 7.4 million individuals among poorest of poor in April alone and the financial relief would also be paid in May as well, as they have no other relief, cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said last afternoon.

We may live divided on religious, ethnic lines but all are humans with one fate: PM

Though we may lead a life divided based on religious and ethnic lines, the current COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we are all humans who face the same fate at the end, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said.