Coronavirus death toll rises to 170; confirmed cases 7,711

The nationwide death toll from China’’s novel coronavirus epidemic has jumped to 170 with 38 more fatalities reported mainly from the worst-affected central Hubei province, the government said on Thursday, while confirming more than 1,700 new infections.

Myanmar urges SL to stop abuse of elephant

Myanmar appealed to Sri Lanka to stop the abuse of the elephant it donated to a Buddhist temple six years ago, the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday.

Edu. Ministry gives guidelines for schoolchildren on prevention

The education ministry has issued a set of guidelines to protect schoolchildren from infection with the New Coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus stokes unwarranted paranoia: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday there was no need to develop irrational fear over coronavirus as it would only lead to unnecessary stress and fear psychosis.

New Coronavirus: CMC introduces syrup, powder to boost immunity

The Department of Indigenous Medicine of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday introduced a syrup and a powder to enhance immunity, as a precautionary measure to prevent being infected from new coronavirus and all other communicable diseases.

Ranil, MR discuss Coronavirus crisis

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his predecessor UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had a discussion with regard to Coronavirus crisis where the latter had said his party will support the government to resolve it.

SL lack proper equipment to safeguard lab experts: UNP

Sri Lanka still lacks necessary equipment to carry out experiments on Coronavirus and there are certain steps that have to be taken in this regard, United National Party (UNP) said yesterday.

Sri Lankan public need not fear the in-coming visitors

Chinese authorities have established an all-dimensional and multi-level epidemic containing network where CPC Central leads governments at all levels, and has been putting great efforts in Wuhan and other much infected Hubei cities.

Govt. not yet informed people to wear masks: Bandula

The Government has not so far made it compulsory for people and schools students to buy and wear masks in the wake of Coronavirus epidemic prevailing in several countries in the world, Minister Banduala Gunawardane said today.

Provide face masks free of charge: Sajith

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to provide face masks free of charge to the people and to break the mafia that had been started by some unscrupulous sellers.

Govt. should introduce high-tech mechanism: JVP

While claiming that the screening process at the airport to detect coronavirus infected people was not sufficient, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today the Government should adopt a mechanism with high-technological equipment to detect infected people entering the country through the airport.

Chinese construction site employees to be checked

The Health Ministry has informed regional Medical Officers of Health, Medical Directors, epidemiologists to check the Chinese employees working in construction sites countrywide as to determine whether any of them is infected with Coronavirus, Deputy Health Services Director of the Health Ministry Dr. Paba Palihawadana said.

Spread of new Coronavirus: Many Airlines cancel flights to China

A number of airlines including United Airlines, British Airways, South Korea’s Air Seoul and Air Canada have cancelled, suspended or rescheduled their flights to mainland China due to deepening fears over the spread of New Coronavirus, foreign media reported today.

Tatyana rejects affiliation with Tronic in an executive capacity, resigns

Tatyana Rajapaksa, wife of Rohitha Rajapaksa, today said fabricated false information are being circulated on social media regarding her affiliation with Tronic Entertainment in an executive capacity.

Use pipe water sparingly during dry weather: NWSDB

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has informed the public to use pipe water sparingly due to the prevailing dry weather condition.

Govt. announces MRP for face-masks

The Health Ministry said today a maximum retail price (MRP) for face-masks had been stipulated after traders were found selling them for exorbitant prices owing to the coronavirus outbreak.

Badulla doctors protest over infected people brought to Diyatalawa

Health officials in the Badulla District had raised objections over the government’s decision to transfer students arriving from China and people infected with coronavirus to Diyatalawa Army camp.

Champika’s driver gives statement to Court

UNP MP Champika Ranawaka’s driver Thusitha Kumara has given an hour long statement to the Colombo Additional Magistrate today over the Rajagiriya accident in 2016.

UK updates travel advisory after patient in SL tested positive for coronavirus

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has yesterday updated its travel advisory on Sri Lanka after a patient was tested positive for new coronavirus in the country.

Ranjan re-remanded until Feb. 12

UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested in connection with the controversial audio clips, was remanded further until February 12 by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today.

Coronavirus: Aussie scientists claim breakthrough

A team of scientists in Australia have said that they have successfully developed a lab-grown version of the new coronavirus, the first to be recreated outside of China, in a breakthrough that could help quicken the creation of a vaccine, Otago Daily Times said.

Protests block Galle Face Road

Heavy traffic was reported on the Galle Face Road opposite the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo and surrounding areas due to protests march.

British Airways suspends China flights over virus

British Airways on Wednesday said it had suspended all its flights to and from China owing to the deadly coronavirus.

CID records statement of Ranil on Easter attacks

The CID has recorded a statement from former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Saturday regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks that took place on April 21, 2019.

UAE confirms new coronavirus case

The United Arab Emirates announced Wednesday its first case of the new coronavirus, in a family from Wuhan, in what is thought to be the first confirmed case in the Middle East.

Gihan Pilapitiya case: AG meets Speaker

Attorney General Dappula de Livera met with Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday (28) in accordance to the Constitutional Council discussion to discuss High Court judge Gihan Pilapitiya’s case.

Coronavirus: Death toll rises to 132 in China; Nearly 6,000 infected

The number of people infected by the deadly Coronavirus outbreak has risen to nearly 6,000 in China, reports on Wednesday said. The virus originating from China’s Wuhan has claimed the lives of 132 people in the country, while 5,974 new cases have been confirmed.

Summon Parliament to discuss measures to prevent spread of Coronavirus: UNP

UNP yesterday called for the summoning of Parliament to discuss about the steps that have to be taken to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Chinese workers in SL told to undergo 14-day isolation

Chinese companies, operating in Sri Lanka, are reported to have directed their employees who have recently returned from China after the Chinese New Year festivities to undergo a 14-day period of self isolation before confirming they are not carriers of the coronavirus and are free of any symptoms.

Catholic Schools to close if Coronavirus becomes acute: Cardinal

Addressing a media conference yesterday, the Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith stated that in the event the spread of the Corona Virus becomes uncontrollable all schools that are administered by the Catholic Church would remain closed.