Govt. is fully geared to face coronavirus: Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the government was fully geared to ensure the protection of country’s 21.4 million population from coronavirus or COVID -19, yesterday.

GMOA calls for identification of isolation units in all hospitals

As patients are being diagnosed for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, there should be increased attention on the capabilities of hospitals to isolate patients, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Re-convene Parliament to discuss how best to curb coronavirus: Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to re-convene Parliament as soon as possible to discuss about the measures the country should take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

60 Lankans, 2 foreigners under medical observation

As of today some 60 Sri Lankans and two foreigners are under medical observation at various hospitals in the country for possible coronavirus infection, Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU) Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Guruge said.

No fuel shortage in the country: Amaraweera

Currently, there is no fuel shortage in the country and if filling station owners attempt to create an artificial fuel shortage, he or she will be severely dealt with including the withdrawal of their fuel permit, Power, Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Coronavirus: Three more Sri Lankans tested positive

Three more suspected coronovirus Sri Lankans have been now tested positive, bringing the total of confirmed patients to five, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

9 arrested for blocking ambulance carrying Covid-19 patient

Nine people were arrested for disrupting and blocking the road when an ambulance carrying a suspected coronavirus patient was being taken to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital today.

Travel ban on European passengers

The government has suspended the issuance of visas to European passengers for two weeks as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Temporary travel ban on eight more EU countries

Temporary travel ban was imposed on passengers arriving from France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria for two weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said today.

Sri Lankan female infected with Coronavirus in Italy recovered

The Sri Lankan female, who was infected with Coronavirus in Italy, has now recovered and discharged from the hospital, the Sri Lankan Consulate General Office in Milan said.

England cricket tour of Sri Lanka called off due to coronavirus

England’s tour of Sri Lanka has been officially called off due to the global spread of the coronavirus.

IPL 2020 suspended until April 15 amidst Coronavirus concerns

Indian Premier League 2020 has been suspended until April 15 following global concerns surrounding the now-pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Ravi, Aloysius appear in court

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Arjun Aloysius have appeared in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court a short while ago as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

Sri Lankans restricted for leaving for foreign employment

Sri Lankans are restricted for leaving for foreign employment until further notice, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said today.

Six including Mohamed Ibrahim further remanded

The six suspects including Shangri-La Hotel suicide bomber’s father Mohamed Ibrahim were further remanded until March 27 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Coronavirus: Road Safety World Series called off

The UnAcademy Road Safety World Series has been called off due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

All pre-schools to be closed from today

The Women & Child Affairs and Social Security Ministry today advised all pre-schools in the country to close from today until further notice.

Ravi, others ordered to appear in court before 4 pm

The Court of Appeal today ordered former MP Ravi Karunanayake and other suspects in the Central Bank bond scam case to appear in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court before 4 pm today.

Coronavirus: First death confirmed in India

India has recorded its first death linked to the coronavirus, officials confirmed. The 76-year-old man, from the southern state of Karnataka, had returned from Saudi Arabia on 29 February after a month-long visit.

All universities to be closed for two weeks

All universities will be closed for two weeks from tomorrow due to the COVID-19 outbreak, University Grants Commission Chairman Sampath Amaratunge said today.

Refrain from circulating false info on Covid-19: TRCSL

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) today advised the public not to circulate or share false or fabricated information on Covid-19 to create panic among the general public.

Brazilian official who met Trump tests positive for coronavirus

A Brazilian official who met with President Donald Trump over the weekend has tested positive for the coronavirus, but Trump has said Thursday that he’s ’’not concerned’’ about their interaction, NBC News reported today.

Ragging incident: 16 J’pura undergrads suspended

Sixteen students of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura have been temporarily suspended in connection with the incident where a first-year student was injured in a ragging incident, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University said.

England consider calling off tour of Sri Lanka amid coronavirus threat

England were on Thursday night considering calling off their tour of Sri Lanka before an anticipated 3,000 supporters head to Galle for the first Test, the Mail Online reported.

Temporary travel ban on South Korea, Italy, Iran

Temporary travel ban was imposed on South Korea, Italy and Iran for two weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said today.

EC continues preparations for polls

The National Elections Commission (EC) is continuing with its preparations to hold the Parliamentary Election on schedule despite steps taken by the authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Govt. to seek EC advise on delaying polls

A senior minister yesterday told Daily Mirror the government would seek advise of the Election Commission (EC) whether the upcoming general election could be postponed in the event a coronavirus outbreak is reported in the country.

Bus catches fire on the Southern expressway

A bus plying from Colombo to Galle on the Southern Expressway (E-01) caught fire between Kottawa and Kahathuduwa Interchanges at the 3.6-milepost this morning, the expressway police unit said.

Govt. to appeal to hoteliers in case of need

The government is to make an appeal to hotel owners for voluntary assistance to allow their hotels to be used as quarantine centres, if the necessity arises to quarantine more people in the coming days, the President’s office said yesterday.

Canadian PM’s wife tested positive for COVID-19

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus), according to a statement from Trudeau’s office.