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.

21 more Covid-19 cases reported, toll rises to 795

Twenty one more Covid-19 infected patients were reported this evening increasing the total cases to 795, the Health Ministry said.

Boris Johnson appoints Ranil Jayawardena as Trade minister

A UK parliamentarian of Sri Lankan origin Ranil Jayawardena has been appointed as the Trade Minister in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, British media reported.

Three identified persons test negative for COVID-19 today

Three persons who were earlier identified as COVID-19 patients have tested negative for the virus today, Health Service Director General Dr Anil Jasinghe said.

Lankan sent to jail for breaking into supermarket in Malaysia

An Indian national and a Sri Lankan man were sentenced to eight months’ jail each by the Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Lumpur today after they pleaded guilty to a charge with breaking into a supermarket and stealing goods worth RM353.70.

Navy denies withdrawal from Covid-19 operations

The Navy today denied several news reports posted on several social media outlets and news websites that the Navy had temporarily withdrawn from Covid-19 operations.

No danger to NSC as infected nurse had followed proper health practices: Jasinghe

Health Services Director General Anil Jasinghe said there have been limited contacts of the COVID-19 infected nurse at the Colombo National Hospital as she and the Hospital had followed proper health practices.

US to grant USD 4.5 Mn more to Sri Lanka

The United States has announced the commitment of more than $4.5 million to help Sri Lanka in its fight against COVID-19 bringing the total U.S. contribution to $5.8 million.

Sangakkara’s term as President of MCC to be extended

The Committee of MCC has today announced its intention to offer the Club’s President, Kumar Sangakkara, a further year in the role.

Nearly 30,000 PCR tests conducted in Sri Lanka

Nearly 30,000 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests have been conducted in Sri Lanka as of May 5 with 1,396 tests conducted yesterday, Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) said.

Another batch of students stranded in London returns

A total of 194 Sri Lankans, who were stranded in London, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today.

SriLankan to launch cargo flights from May 18

SriLankan Airlines has planned to launch 27 dedicated cargo flights from Colombo to major cities in Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East on May 18 in a move to rescue the country’s much troubled export industries.

Eight more FR petitions filed challenging holding of polls on June 20

Senior journalist Victor Ivan and seven others yesterday (5) filed fundamental rights petitions challenging the June 20 Parliamentary election.

US Ambassador calls on Prime Minister

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina Teplitz called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday morning, to discuss a host of issues, including the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, post COVID-19 economic challenges and ongoing collaboration.