Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka now at 690

The toll of Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka has risen to 690 with 25 more Covid-19 infected patients being reported today, the Health Ministry said.

Bring your dollars here: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana yesterday said Sri Lankans maintaining accounts in a foreign country, expatriate Sri Lankans and local or foreign investors could deposit any amount of foreign currencies including ‘Black Money’ in the Special Deposit Account (SDA) in any approved commercial bank in Sri Lanka.

Resumption of civilian life and office work begins from May 11

While the curfew is in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, the resumption of civilian life and state and private sector activities will begin from Monday, 11th May, President’s Media Division said.

Teenage boy taken into custody over anti-social posts on social media

A teenage boy from Pannala has been taken into custody by the police for posting anti-social content on social media platforms, the police spokesman said.

Two elderly men die at Muttur quarantine centre

Two elderly men among the beggers taken into the Muttur quarantine centre operated by the Air Force from Gunasinghepura had passed away today, the Air Force Spokesperson said.

Not the most enlightened comment, is it ? Sanga to Bandula’s remarks on election

Commenting on Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana’s remarks that elections have been held even when people died from dengue, star Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara asked, ’’Not the most enlightened comment, is it?’’

Toll of COVID-19 cases up to 671

Three more COVID-19 patients were reported increasing the total infected cases in Sri Lanka to 671, the Ministry of Health said.

JVP to boycott meeting of former MPs

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has informed Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in a letter written by leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake that its members would not attend the meeting of former MPs convened by him at Temple Trees on May 4 to discuss the current situation in the country.

EC stops paying Rs. 20,000 for trainee graduates

The Elections Commission (EC) has stopped paying Rs. 20,000 for trainee graduates, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said today.

Health Ministry issues guidelines when celebrating Vesak

Health Ministry has issued guidelines to be followed by Buddhists when celebrating Vesak amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

2 more tested positive; tally soars to 668

Two more persons tested positive for COVID-19 today increasing the tally to 668, Heath Ministry said.

Cancellation of Police leave extended till May 15

The cancellation of leave of all Police personnel, due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, has been extended till May 15, police said.

Three more COVID-19 patients recover

Three more COVID-19 infected patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital increasing the total number of recovered cases to 157, the Health Ministry said.

Former UNP mayor and 7 others arrested over gambling

Eight people including former UNP mayor of the Nawalapitiya Urban Council have been arrested for gambling at a restaurant in Ginigathhena last night.

Mangala says President’s reply avoids important constitutional questions

Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in a twitter post replying to Secretary to the President P.B. Jayasundara’s reply said it had avoided the important constitutional questions raised in his letter.

Three arrested with 1kg of heroin and 9MM revolver

Three suspects have been arrested with 1 kg of heroin during a raid in Welipenna early this morning, police said.

21 factories at Boralugoda BOI closed

Twenty one factories at the Boralugoda, Horana BOI zone were closed after a supervisor of a cafeteria in a reputed factory was tested positive for COVID-19.

21,000 PCR tests so far, only 3% tested positive - PMD

A total of 21,000 PCR tests have been conducted so far and only 3% out of this figure has been confirmed as infected, Presidential Media Division said.

Russian Prime Minister tests positive for coronavirus

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The news was announced on Thursday evening, live on national television, during a video link with President Vladimir Putin.

President declines to re-summon Parliament

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in response to the request by the opposition parties, has declined to re-summon Parliament.

Mangala’s letter based on misinformation: P. B. Jayasundera

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, through his Secretary P. B. Jayasundera, responded to the letter sent by former minister Mangala Samaraweera saying that the letter was compiled based on a number of misinformation.

Sri Lankan expectant mothers stranded in India

A group of Sri Lankan expectant mothers who are currently stranded in a hospital in India have requested Sri Lankan authorities to help them return to the island.

Fifteen more recovered; total infected cases now at 663

Fifteen more Covid-19 infected patients have fully recovered and discharged from the hospital, increasing the total number of recovered persons to 154, the health ministry said.

Only four COVID-19 clusters active out of 31: DIG Ajith Rohana

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said that out of 31 main Covid-19 clusters identified across the island, only four clusters still remain active.

Repatriation of Sri Lankan students from South Asia concludes

With the arrival this evening (30 April) of UL 1188 carrying 125 Sri Lankan students from Kolkata, the operation to bring home 1065 Sri Lankan students based in the South Asian region, over 10 days, reached a successful conclusion, the Ministry of Foreign Relations said.

AG approves imposition of curfew

On the advise sought by the Acting IGP, the Attorney General has approved the imposition of curfew and other measures taken to curb the spread of Covid-19 by the Police, AG’s Coordination Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

Catholics to hold peace protests to ensure Easter attack culprits brought to justice: Priests

The Catholics in Sri Lanka will be compelled to take it to the streets and hold peace protests to ensure that those who are responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks are brought to justice, a group of priests said today.

Drone operators invited to offer COVID-19 services

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) invited the drone operators having the potential, capability and interest to offer Drone Technology services during COVID-19 pandemic.

Bring a pen when visiting post offices on Monday: Post Master General

Post Master General Ranjith Ariyaratne today requested the people to bring a pen with them to sign relevant documents when visiting the post offices from Monday (4).

Karu endorses proposal by opposition parties to reconvene parliament

Former Speaker of Parliament, Karu Jayasuriya, said today that he endorsed the proposal made by the parties in the opposition to reconvene the Parliament.