IMF to review SL’s Rapid Credit Facility request

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that they have started to review Sri Lanka’s request for Rapid Credit Facility.

China fighting coronavirus with a digital QR code

Relying on mobile technology and big data, the Chinese government has used a color-based ’’health code’’ system to control people’s movements and curb the spread of the coronavirus, Foreign Media reported.

San Francisco newlyweds stuck on honeymoon in Sri Lanka

San Francisco newlyweds John and Michelle Senyard is stuck on their honeymoon in Sri Lanka in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the NBC Bay Area reported.

Sri Lal Abeykoon no more

Popular actor Sri Lal Abeykoon also know as ’ Appuwa’ in his role in the famous ‘Kopi Kade’ teledrama, has passed away at the age of 66 yesterday.

Battle against Covid-19: Envoys praise SL’s efforts

The Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the US, the UK, Australia and Canada had praised and commended the steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to prevent the spreading of Covid-19 in the country.

Restore the funding to WHO- Ranil writes to Trump

After US President Donald Trump announced that he would suspend funding to the WHO, former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe in a letter to the US President has requested to reconsider his decision on humanitarian grounds and restore the US funding to the WHO.

SL performs well in fighting Coronavirus & ranked 9 in GRID Index

Sri Lanka and its leadership were ranked 9th in the Global Response to Infectious Diseases (GRID) Index which evaluates how efficient and effective the leadership of the country and the preparedness of its health system were in tackling COVID-19 pandemic.

Exit strategy to revive economy, restore normalcy to be launched this weekend

The exit strategy formulated to revive the economy and to ensure the return of civilian life to normalcy, which is in disarray due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be announced during the weekend, the President’s Media Division announced today.

Implement 'aggressive testing' & proceed to lockout strategy: GMOA

In order to control the COVID-19 outbreak and restore normalcy, the government should implement “aggressive testing” and “test, test, test” concept and proceed to a “lockout” strategy, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said today.

Those provided funds and logistics to bombers should be punished: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today that those who provided funds and logistic support to bombers involved in the Easter Sunday attack should also be brought to book.

COVID-19 recovered cases rise to 65

Two more COVID-19 infected patients were recovered and discharged from the hospital today, the Health Ministry said.

CID records statement from Bathiudeen

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today to record a statement over a case involving a land in Mannar, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

Sri Lankan woman in Jordan contracts with COVID-19

A Sri Lankan woman has been contracted with COVID-19 in Jordan, Jordan Minister of Health Saad Jaber confirmed.

SLAF conducts surveillance operations to monitor illegal entry by sea

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is currently conducting daily Aerial Surveillance Operations in support of the Sri Lanka Navy’s efforts of blocking illegal entry into the island, the SLAF said.

Nagalagam street in Grandpass isolated due to COVID-19 threat

Nagalagam street in Grandpass has been sealed off and place under isolation due to COVID-19 outbreak, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Ruling party wins S. Korea poll amid coronavirus outbreak

The party of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has won a decisive victory in parliamentary elections, BBC reported today.

Updated announcement on curfew

The curfew currently in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones will continue until further notice, Presidential Media Division said.

Toll of COVID-19 cases up to 238

Three more COVID-19 infected patients were reported, increasing the total infected cases in Sri Lanka to 238, the Ministry of Health said.

President, officials explore possibility of resuming day-to-day life at provincial level

The possibility of immediate resumption of day-to-day economic activities at provincial levels in order to safeguard the national economy was explored at a meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, the President’s Media Division said.

Navy sends 100 people from Colombo to quarantine

At least 100 people from Gunasinghapura, Grandpass and Wella Street in Colombo, who were suspected to have contacts with a COVID-19 patient, have been sent for Sampur quarantine centre by the Navy.

Lawyer Hejaaz Hisbullah arrested over Easter Sunday attack

Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hisbullah has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday attack, CID official said.

Two more COVID-19 patients recovered

Two more Covid-19 infected patients were recovered and discharged from the hospital today, the Health Ministry said.

Heavy rains likely this evening: Met Dep.

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning and heavy rains exceeding 100 mm are likely to occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, Uva and Southern provinces in the evening or night today, the Meteorology Department said.

SriLankan flight suspension extended till April 30

The suspension of scheduled flights of SriLankan Airlines due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been extended till April 30, the Airlines said.

Sri Lankan boat with six fishermen detained in Seychelles

A Sri Lankan fishing boat with six fishermen aboard has been detained in Port Victoria in Seychelles on suspicion of illegal fishing, the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces said on Tuesday.

Ward of Kalubowila Hospital reopened after two weeks

The ward of the Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila, which was closed after a COVID-19 patient was identified, has been reopened after two weeks, Hospital Director Dr. Asela Gunewardena said today.

SL rupee appreciates against US Dollar

Sri Lankan rupee has appreciated to Rs.195.78 against the US Dollar when compared with the previous selling rate of Rs. 200.47, the Central Bank said.

Govt. should partially lift lockdown: Ranil

Sri Lanka should partially lift the lockdown imposed to combat COVID-19 in order to keep the economy going, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Now’s ‘not the time’ to reduce funding for WHO in COVID-19 fight, urges Guterres

Now is ’’not the time’’ to reduce resources for the World Health Organization (WHO) as it fights the COVID-19 pandemic, UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres said.

US to halt funding to WHO, says Trump

US President Donald Trump says he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).