Cash deposit margin on mobile phones, computers: Ruwan asks for decision to be revised

The 100 percent cash deposit for importation of items such as computers and mobile phones should be reversed as they are essential for school Children, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Post-covid clinics for those with health issues after recovery: Medical specialist

Claiming that some people who recover from Covid-19 could experience post-covid symptoms such as cough, breathing difficulties and chest pain even after two weeks of recovery, a medical specialist said yesterday such people should seek medical advice.

Listen to medical experts at least now: JVP urges Govt.

The Government should at least now pay heed to the recommendations and guidance of medical experts and specialists in the effort to combat the Covid pandemic, as the only way forward in economic and social aspects was to get rid of the pandemic as soon as possible, former JVP MP Sunil Hadunetti said yesterday.

Vaccinating school children must be done under supervision of specialists: GMOA

The COVID vaccination rollout for school children should be conducted under the direct supervision of Pediatricians and Physiotherapists and within the hospital premieres, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said.

Cabraal appointed CB Governor

Former State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been appointed as the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka by the President with effect from September 15, Presidential Media Division said.

135 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 135 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (12) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 11,431.

COVID situation has not yet reached satisfactory level, says Health Ministry

Despite a slight decrease in the number of COVID-19 infections and fatalities, the Health Ministry said the situation is not yet favourable to embrace normalcy.

Patient care at Narahenpita Army Hospital at risk: GMOA

The responsibility for the breakdown of patient care services at the Narahenpita Army Hospital should be borne by the relevant military officers and the Health Ministry officials who were involved in removing the doctors, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights sounds alarm on emergency regulations

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, in her oral update on Sri Lanka, said the emergency regulations enforced in Sri Lanka in recent times with the stated objective of ensuring food security and price controls, are very broad and may expand the further role of military role in civilian functions. She said her office would monitor the situation.

PHIs point out hiccups in vaccination drive

The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) today underlined several issues that they have observed in administering vaccines as protection against COVID-19, especially to 20-29 age group.

Rs. 200 mn to conserve 103 rivers: Environment Minister

Rs. 200 million has been allocated by the treasury for the conservation projects of the total river network in the country, the Environment Ministry said.

Vaccination for 30-plus to be completed within this week: Govt.

While saying that there is hesitancy among some individuals to get COVID vaccines due to needle phobia, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said today the vaccination programme for the people above 30 years of age would be expected to complete before the end of this week.

Over Rs.12 mn for cremating COVID victims: Roshan Ranasinghe

The office of the Provincial Council and Local Government Affairs has decided to provide more than Rs.12 million in expenses for operating and maintaining the crematoria that are coming under the purview of the Provincial Council, the State Ministry office said.

Ajith Cabraal resigns

Parliamentarian Ajith Nivard Cabraal, National List Member of Parliament for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has informed Parliament Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake in writing today (13) that he will resign from his post as a Member of Parliament.

Ketagoda to replace Cabraal in Parliament

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is to appoint Jayantha Ketagoda as the National List MP to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

State Minister breaks into Welikada Prison with drunk friends

A State Minister along with a group of his friends, all who were under the influence of alcohol had reportedly entered the Welikada Prison by force to visit the prison and gallows.

Third dose for Kuwait-bound Lankan workers: SLFEB

Steps will be taken in the future to provide one dose of another vaccine approved by the Kuwaiti government as the third dose for the Sri Lankan workers who will be travelling to Kuwait for employment, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) said.

76,000 vials of Pfizer vaccine flown in

Another batch of 76,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine reached the country this morning brought by Qatar Airways.

Sri Lanka courts more and more tourists from Ukraine

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga who undertook a tour of Ukraine said a five-year plan would be implemented to revive the Covid-hit tourism industry.

Sri Lanka to feel the pinch in Geneva

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) will open its regular September session in Geneva today with Sri Lanka on the agenda.

Viral density in Covid patients with breakthrough infections much less: WHO

A top medical expert of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said viral load of people with breakthrough infections of COVID-19 - infections after vaccination - is much less, and therefore it leads to reduced transmissions from the disease from them.

Lawyers touting and advertising on social media: BASL to initiate a inquiry

Several complaints have been lodged with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) against two Attorneys-atlaw for allegedly sharing video clips on social media for the purpose of unfairly attracting clients, informed sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.

New national education policy currently being formulated : Dinesh

Leader of the House, Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena said that a new national education policy that the country needed is being formulated. He was speaking at the Consultative Committee on Education held in Parliament recently.

144 more die of COVID-19

A total of 144 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (11) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 11,296.

High profile businessman’s youngest son arrested over father’s murder

The CID today arrested the son of Shabbir Abbas Gulamhusein, a well-known businessman, over his father’s murder four years ago, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Appointing politician to CB will create bad image on SL’s economy: Anura

The move to appoint a politician to the Central Bank Governorship, which was an internationally recognised independent institute, would create a bad image on the country and its economy at the international level, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Govt. explains plans on re-opening schools & vaccinating students

Making a statement on re-opening of schools in the country, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said priority will be given to schools in rural areas where there are students numbering below 100 when reopening schools.

There is community spread of COVID-19, says Prof. Tissa Vitarana

Contradicting the Health Ministry statement that there is no community spread of the COVID-19, Professor Tissa Vitharana, a renowned virologist said that cases were not reported within clusters but within community at present and thus, there is a community spread of the virus.

Some MPs, ministers forget their roots: Mihintale Chief Prelate tells Cabraal

Some MPs and ministers have forgotten that how they have got their ministerial portfolios. They must remember that it was because of the President and the Prime Minister. The ministers used to speak and act arbitrarily and hurt people. It is not what the people of this country want,Mihintale Raja Maha Vihara Chief Prelate Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dharmaratna Thera said.

Act to wipe out Islamic extremism similar to LTTE: BBS

There is a need to prevent the emergence of terrorists through Islamic extremism and the government must take meticulous and expeditious actions in the same way that LTTE terrorism was wiped out from the country, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organization said.