Google to publish user location data to help govts tackle virus

Google says it will publish users’ location data around the world from Friday to allow governments to gauge the effectiveness of social distancing measures, brought in to stem the COVID-19 pandemic.

TRCSL advises operators to provide continuous service

Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) advised all mobile and fixed telephone operators to provide continue services for all consumers ensuring no service disconnections based on non payment.

Over 11,000 arrested for curfew violation

More than 11,000 people have been arrested for violation of police curfew as of this afternoon since March 20, police said.

ICRC supports to protect detainees from COVID-19

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Sri Lanka has stepped in to support the national authorities in their efforts to protect the public and the detainee population against the spread of COVID-19, the ICRC said.

33 Sri Lankans among blacklisted foreign Tablighi Jamaat members in India

Therty-three Sri Lankans, four Americans, nine British and six Chinese nationals were among the 960 foreign Tablighi Jamaat activists who were blacklisted and their tourist visas cancelled by the Indian Union Home Ministry, officials said on Friday, the PTI reported.

Udayanga granted bail

Former Sri Lanka ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, granted bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

SL rupee 193 against US Dollar

The value of Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar as the selling rate was recorded as Rs.193.75, the Central Bank data showed today.

Police open fire at motor car; three injured

Police opened fire at a motor car which was travelling disobeying the police orders to stop at Egoda-Uyana, Moratuwa, police said.

World Bank fast-tracks $128 million COVID-19 support for Sri Lanka

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved the $128.6 million Sri Lanka COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project to help the country prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness.

Beware of fake news and messages: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa warned public to beware of fake news and messages being circulated under his name via messenger platforms.

Confirmed global cases pass one million

More than a million cases of coronavirus have been registered globally, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University - another grim milestone as the world grapples with the spreading pandemic.

Kelani river water quality improves - CEA

A study led by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has found that the water quality of the Kelani River has improved considerably.

Fraudsters found collecting money using COVID-19 Fund as cover: PMD

The Presidential Secretariat had received information about several instances of fraudsters collecting money using COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund as cover, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Death toll due to Covid-19 rises to four

A 58-year-old male has died at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) increasing the total deaths due to COVID 19 to four in Sri Lanka, the Director General Health Services said.

EC asks Prez to consult SC on election date

The Election Commission has requested for making a reference to the Supreme Court on the next election date , informed sources said.

Two more arrested over Easter Sunday attacks

Two more suspects were arrested by the CID in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, Police Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne said today.

Son-in-law, grandson of third COVID-19 victim among four tested positive

Two out of the four new COVID-19 cases reported today were the son-in-law and grandson of the third victim who passed away from contracting the virus, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Five arrested for sharing false content on COVID-19

Five persons including a university student were arrested today on charges of posting false and misleading content about COVID-19 on social media, Police said.

Govt. lifts forex controls, removes taxes on inflows for 3 months

As Sri Lanka has resorted to some unprecedented measures to stem the economic fallout from COVID-19, the government has decided to suspend foreign exchange controls and taxes relating to all inflows of foreign exchange, from April 2, to support the country’s battered balance of payments (BoP) position.

1,400 residents in Maradana quarantined

Around 1,400 people belonging to 220 families residing in Immamul Aroos Mawatha, a by-lane off Arnold Ratnayake Mawatha have been quarantined today, following the death of an elderly man. The elderly patient, a resident of Maradana was the third person to succumb to Covid-19 in Sri Lanka.

PHIs to withdraw from duties if needs aren’t met

Public Health Inspectors across the island are to suspend their services related to the control of the Covid-19 pandemic from Saturday (April 4) unless their needs are met by the government.

Govt. to suspend import of non-essential goods

The Government has decided to suspend or limit the importation of non-essential goods except pharmaceutical products and fuel, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Ramesh Pathirana said.

Salary cut for SriLankan employees for a period of 3 months

SriLankan Airlines has implemented cost saving measures to ensure survival of national carrier and livelihoods of employees, including the mandatory salary reductions from the staff starting from 2.5% to 25% for a period of three months, the airlines said.

Almost 3,000 who arrived from overseas since March 16, registered

A total of 2,913 persons who had arrived in Sri Lanka from overseas after March 16, had registered with the police by noon yesterday to undergo self-quarantine, DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Two new cases of COVID-19 confirmed

Two more patients had tested positive for COVID-19 today increasing the number of cases to 148 in the country, the Health Ministry said.

Do not sell death: Dr Anil Jasinghe

Director General of Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe has made a statement urging shop owners to refrain from selling cigarette likening it to selling “death”.

Govt.,UNP to inform district level politicians on COVID-19 measures

The government and the United National Party (UNP) had agreed to enlighten the respective district level political representatives of the measures taken to contain COVID-19 and to distribute relief to the people, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SL spy agencies on high alert to face any possible security threat-Kamal

Defence Ministry Secretary Maj.Gen.(Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne said while fighting against COVID-19, all intelligence agencies, including military intelligence, were also kept on high alert to face any possible security threat, including re-grouping of certain elements involve in terrorism and extremism.

Third COVID-19 death reported in Sri Lanka

A 72-year-old COVID-19 infected patient died at the IDH, Angoda, on Wednesday evening(1), bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths to three in Sri Lanka, official sources said.

JSC decides to have courts to prevent Covid 19 spread in prisons

JSC decides to have courts to prevent Covid 19 spread in prisons Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has decided to act on its earlier circular and function High Courts and Magistrate Courts around the country on April 2 and 3 only to entertain bail applications.