Bhutan to send 2nd flight to repatriate Bhutanese nationals in SL

The Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) has arranged for a 2nd relief flight to repatriate Bhutanese nationals in Sri Lanka.

No need to consult SC, date for fixing poll is NEC’s responsibility – Pres.Sec

President’s Secretary P.B.Jayasundara in a reply to the Chairman of Election Commission said that the date for fixing the poll is the responsibility of the Election Commission and therefore the question of reference to the Supreme Court in terms of Article 129 of the Constitution does not arise.

AG formulates guidelines to reduce prison overcrowding

After considering the COVID-19 situation and the prison overcrowding in the country, Attorney General Dappula de Livera has issued a set of guidelines to the Acting IGP on granting bail to the detainees.

U.S grants USD1.3mn to protect healthcare workers and improve COVID-19 testing

The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed $1.3 million USD to help protect healthcare workers and slow the spread of the virus with infection prevention and control support, the US embassy in Colombo said.

‘MyHealth Sri Lanka’ mobile app launched to consult doctors

The Ministry of Health together with the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) has introduced a mobile app to consult doctors and receive prescriptions, the President’s Media Division said.

PS member and 4 others remanded over alleged rape

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Thanamalwila Pradeshiya Sabha member R.A. Ranaweera and four others have been arrested and remanded in connection with the alleged rape of a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl.

Three more patients recover from COVID-19

Three more patients have been recovered from COVID-19 and discharged from hospital, the Health Ministry said today.

67 from Ratnapura and Pelmadulla sent to quarantine centre

At least 67 people from the Ratnapura and Pelmadulla areas have been sent to the Diyatalawa Quarantine Centre.

Global coronavirus cases top 1.5 million

More than 1.5 million cases of the novel coronavirus have been registered worldwide, according to a tally compiled by AFP from official sources.

Cabinet approves to bring down 33 Lankans stranded overseas

Cabinet approved to bring back 33 Sri Lankans stranded at airports overseas due to coronavirus pandemic, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana said today.

EU provides EUR 22 million grant to Sri Lanka

The European Union (EU) said it will provide a EUR 22 million grant to support Sri Lanka’s COVID19 response.

1,724 curfew violators arrested within 24 hours

A total of 1,724 individuals have been arrested and 496 vehicles seized within a 24-hour period which ended 6.a.m today for curfew violation, the Police said.

Envoys of EU countries commend measures taken to manage COVID-19 situ in SL

A group of European Union (EU) ambassadors met with the Chairman of the Special Task Force on Providing Essential Services, Basil Rajapaksa, yesterday and commended the measures taken by Sri Lanka to manage the COVID-19 situation in the country.

Raja Goonaratne appointed DG, National Secretariat for NGOs

Humanitarian law expert Raja Goonaratne was appointed as the Director General at the National Secretariat for Non-governmental Organizations today (08).

Curfew in Ratnapura, Pelmadulla will not be lifted

The curfew within Ratnapura and Pelmadulla police areas will not be lifted tomorrow morning (9), the Police spokesman said.

Navy develops remote-controlled smart appliance to treat COVID-19 patients

A remote-controlled smart appliance called ‘Medi Mate’ developed by Navy’s Research and Development Unit in a bid to treat and test COVID-19 patients, allowing healthcare workers to remain at a safe distance from the highly infectious virus, was handed over for the use of Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital today.

Seventh death due to Covid-19 reported from Sri Lanka

A 48-year-old male has died at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) due to Coronavirus, reporting the 7th COVID-19 death in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry said.

Toll of Covid-19 cases rises to 188

Three more Covid-19 positive cases were reported today raising the total of cases to 188 in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry said.

Send request letter before April 30: CBSL

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said banks and financial institutions should be informed before April 30 to obtain deferment credit facilities.

Ensure families of the missing included in relief measures: OMP

The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) today requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Presidential Task Force Chairman Basil Rajapaksa to ensure that the families of the missing and disappeared are included in any proposed COVID-19 relief measures.

SL rupee hits Rs. 200 against US Dollar

Sri Lankan Rupee has further depreciated against the US Dollar making the selling rate to Rs.200.46, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said.

China accused of negligence

With individuals and groups in the US and the UK initiating legal action against the Chinese Government over the spread of the coronavirus, local groups in Sri Lanka are now preparing to do the same.

Move a resolution in Parliament to raise borrowing limit-Mangala to gvt

While claiming that due to legal complications, there may also be delays in drawing down the USD 128 million (Rs. 24.4 billion) soft-loan granted by the World Bank Group for fighting COVID-19, former finance minister Mangala Samaraweera urged the government to immediately move a resolution in Parliament to raise the borrowing limit.

Covid-19: Global death toll passes 80,000

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University say at least 81,250 people have now died worldwide, while more than 1.4 million have been infected since the outbreak began.

Dr Anton Sebastianpillai dies from COVID-19 at London hospital

Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, a consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967 and specialised in treating the elderly at the Kingston Hospital, London has died after testing positive for Covid-19, on Saturday, BBC reported.

Permission to use service ID as curfew pass extended

The permission granted to use service identity card as a curfew pass for those engaged in essential services have been extended till April 30, Police said.

Lanka Sathosa says spices with lotus flower packing will not be taken off shelves

Lanka Sathosa, the state run retail chain, has said that its spices which were packed with a design of a lotus flower on it, will not be removed from shelves, despite concerns raised by the Center for Monitoring Election Violence who has written to the National Elections Commission raising serious concerns of polls violation over it.

All Ayurvedic Hospitals to remain open during curfew

The Presidential Task Force on Essential Services yesterday announced that all Ayurvedic Hospitals would be remained open despite the curfew imposed in the country.

Wuhan reopens after months-long lockdown

China has reported zero new coronavirus deaths for the first time since it emerged as the nation on Wednesday scaled back lockdown standard and reopened the city of Wuhan, the New York Daily News reported.

Govt. to shut down all economic centres

The Government has decided to close all Economic Centres in the country to prevent the people from gathering into economic centres exposing them to the COVID-19, informed sources said.