67 sent to quarantine centre from Ratnapura found negative for COVID-19

The 67 persons who were taken to the quarantine center at Diyatalawa Army Camp from Ratnapura and Pelmadulla were brought back to their homes as the PCR tests conducted on them found that they were not infected with COVID-19.

14 Sri Lankans stranded at airports arrive at BIA

Fourteen Sri Lankans among some 30 others who were stranded at several airports had arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake last night and this morning, BIA senior officials said.

US surpasses 20,000 coronavirus deaths

While many countries around the world and cities in the U.S. are pointing toward positive signs that social distancing might be finally flattening the curve, the novel coronavirus death toll continues to be staggering.

Balangoda Mayor allegedly pours kerosene on vegetables

Mayor of the Balangoda Urban Council (UNP) Chamika Wewagedara has allegedly destroyed a stock of vegetables set for sale, by pouring kerosene over them, vendors said.

Schools to be re-opened for second term on May 11

The Government has decided to reopen schools for the second term on May 11.

Updated announcement on curfew

The curfew imposed in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones will continue until further notice, while in all other districts, curfew has been extended till 6.00am on Thursday, the 16th April, President’s Media Division said.

New bank account introduced to remit foreign currency earnings

A new bank account termed Special Deposit Account (SDA) has now been introduced for all Sri Lankans living in and outside the country to remit their foreign currency earnings, savings and investments to any bank of their choice in Sri Lanka. It is in the form of Term Deposits either in any designated foreign currency or in Sri Lanka Rupees, the Presidential Media Division said.

Examination Help Desk introduced for O/L students

The Education Ministry has introduced the emergency number 1377 to sort out the issues faced by the students who will sit for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) examination this year.

Coastal security beefed up to prevent entry of migrants due to COVID-19 threat

The Sri Lanka Navy has taken pertinent measures to tighten the security around the county to prevent persons from other countries from fleeing to Sri Lanka due to the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases in those countries, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva said.

Lotus Tower to light up in respect of COVID-19 frontline workers

The Lotus Tower would be lit up this evening to pay respect to all health workers, tri-forces and police personnel, and all other support teams in the frontline in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic, the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) said.

Fmr Colombo Archbishop Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando passes away

The seventh Archbishop of Colombo, Most Reverend Dr. Nicholas Marcus Fernando has been called to eternal rest on Friday at the age of 87. He has passed away at his residence “Emmaus House” at Tewatte, Ragama.

Father, daughter killed in fire at shop

A 50-year-old man and his 19-year-old daughter were killed while his wife and son were hospitalised with injuries when a fire broke out at a shop in Balangoda early this morning, the police said.

Heroin, ICE worth over Rs.3 bn seized by the Navy

The Navy seized a haul of narcotic substances worth over Rs. 3,270 millions during an operation in high seas,Navy Spokesman Isuru Sooriyabandara said.

COVID-19 deaths exceed 2,000 in US in a day

The United States has become the first country to record more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in one day, with 2,108 fatalities recorded within the past 24 hours, foreign media reported.

Number of COVID-19 infected increased to 197

The number of COVID-19 infected patients has increased to 197 with seven positive cases reported today, the Health Ministry said.

Top hotel operating bar raided by Excise dept.

A leading tourist hotel in Mt. Lavinia, which had been occupied by a group of over hundred Chinese nationals who had enjoyed the services of its bar to date disregarding the government’s strict curfew regulations, was raided by the Excise Department officials last evening.

ITI geared up to tackle COVID-19 with herbal products

The Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) has manufactured several herbal products that can be used in the fight against coronavirus, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Traders want turmeric import restrictions relaxed

The Essential Food Commodities Importers and Traders Association yesterday requested the government to relax restrictions on the import of turmeric which is a vital cooking ingredient.

Consult Epidemiology unit before locking down areas-Health DG to PHs

Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe yesterday instructed the country’s public health staff of the country that locking down of areas should be done in consultation with the Epidemiology Unit after careful risk analysis of the situation.

Special flight carrying COVID-19 test kits arrives

A special flight from Shanghai, China carrying some 20,064 COVID-19 test kits (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) donated by the Alibaba Foundation in collaboration with the Jack Ma Foundation arrived in Sri Lanka this evening, official sources said.

Four more COVID-19 patients recover

Four more COVID-19 infected patients have been discharged from the hospital after being recovered, increasing the total number of recovered cases to 54, the Health Ministry said.

All pharmacies except in high risk areas to open from 9 am to 2 pm

All Pharmacies in the country, except for the districts that have been identified as high-risk and areas that have been completely sealed off due to quarantine measures, will be kept open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. a statement said.

British visitors in SL advised to return

In an urgent message to British nationals and British tourists currently in Sri Lanka, British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton said they should immediately return to their country when flights are still available.

SLPP suspends membership of Thanamalwila PS member

The SLPP party membership of Thanamalwila Pradeshiya Sabha member Nalaka Ranaweera, who was arrested for raping a 13-year-old girl in Sevanagala, has been suspended.

Let’s be together in spirit this Sinhalese & Tamil New Year: Aussie PM

In a message for the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, ’’though we cannot gather together in our homes or congregate in public celebration for the New Year, we can be together in spirit.

Over 20,000 COVID-19 test kits to arrive from China today

Some 20,064 COVID-19 test kits (PCR-Fluorescence Probing) donated by the Alibaba Foundation in collaboration with the Jack Ma Foundation will arrive in Sri Lanka tonight from Shanghai, the Chinese Embassy said.

Rice mills declared an essential service

Services of the owners of all rice mills have been declared an essential service under the COVID-19 quarantine process since the provision of essential foods and rice production storage and distribution is imperative to ensure food security, the President’s Media Division said.

50 recovered so far from Covid-19 in Sri Lanka

One more Covid-19 infected patient recovered and was discharged increasing the total number of recovered cases to 50, the Health Ministry said.

SLPP to throw out PS member arrested over alleged rape of minor

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna is to terminate the membership of a Pradeshiya Sabha member from the Moneragala District R. A. Ranaweera, after he, along with five others was arrested over the alleged rape of a minor girl, the Daily Mirror learns.

Open letter from Chinese Embassy

The following is a letter sent by Luo Chong the Spokesperson and Chief of Political Section of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka addressed to Chairman, Wijeya Newspapers Limited with reference to two articles that appeared in the newspaper.we have reproduced the letter while editing out references not relevant to the Daily Mirror.