SL adjudged as the nation with fastest vaccination drive last week

Sri Lanka ranked first in the world as the country with the fastest vaccination drive for the past week.

Jailor who gave mobile phone to Bathiudeen transferred

Investigation revealed that a jailor at the Magazine Prison had given the mobile phone to former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who is currently in remand custody at the Magazine Prison.

Visas for foreigners residing in SL extended by 30 days: Immigration Dept.

cThe validity period of all types of visas that being allowed currently for foreigners residing in Sri Lanka has been extended by 30 days, the Immigration and Emigration Department said.

Schoolchildren likely to receive Pfizer vaccine soon after health authority approval

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) requested the Presidential Task force to administer COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 12 to 18 years before the re-opening of schools to prevent a catastrophic situation with the spread of COVID in schools, as well as in households and society.

Beware of ’fake Google form’gathering details of children under 18 for vaccination: HPB

The Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) said today there was a malicious google form being circulated in the social media gathering information on children under 18 years of age for vaccination and HPB firmly warns people not to get caught in such scams.

NZ’s Sri Lankan community will always be an integral part of Kiwi society - NZ

In the wake of a knife attack at a supermarket in Auckland by a Sri Lankan national, the New Zealand High Commission in Colombo said that ‘New Zealand’s Sri Lankan community is, and will always be, an integral and treasured part of Kiwi society’.

Couple involved in Pahanthudawa porn video get bail; Male suspect contracts COVID-19

The couple who that was arrested for making a pornography video filming near the Pahanthudawa waterfall in Belihuloya was released on police bail.

Refrain from buying Prima flour; prices increased illegally: NMCRP

The National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) requested people to refrain from buying Prima wheat flour to avoid increasing their product prices by Rs.12.

Notorious drug trafficker ’’Sunshine Sudda’’ shot dead

Notorious drug trafficker Amila Prasanna Hettihewa alias ’’Sunshine Sudda’’ was shot dead at Warakapitiya, Weligama in Matara, police said.

Lawyers willing to provide legal assistance to couple being investigated over Pahanthudawa video

Senior lawyer and civil society activist Senaka Perera stated that he and a team of lawyers are ready at any time to provide necessary legal assistance to the couple who are currently being investigated by the police over a controversial pornographic video that was filmed at the Pahanthudawa waterfall in Belihuloya. -

Adverse weather claims one, scores affected: DMC

A death was reported and 908 people were affected due to gutsy winds and heavy rain prevalent in the country, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Islandwide lockdown extended till Sept. 13

The present islandwide lockdown has been extended till September 13, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Two Indians nabbed at airport with stockpile of medicinal drugs

Two Indian nationals were arrested this morning while attempting to smuggle a stockpile of drugs into the country, the customs media spokesman and Deputy Customs Director Sudatta Silva said.

Prima flour price increased by Rs.12

The Prima Ceylon (Pvt) Limited has decided to increase the price of wheat flour by Rs. 12 with immediate effect.

Sri Lankan arrested in India for trafficking in drugs and weapons: NIA

The NIA investigation into the seizure of five AK47 rifles and 300kg of heroin from a Sri Lankan boat off the Kerala coast has revealed that agents from the island nation are operating on Indian soil facilitating drugs and arms trade.

New Zealand mall terror attacker was a Sri Lanka national with ISIS ideology

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said an ’Isis-inspried lone wolf’ who had caused the supermarket terror attack in Auckland was a Sri Lankan national who had arrived in New Zealand in 2011.

Young Jaffna journalist dies from Covid

A young Tamil journalist based in Jaffna has died after contracting the coronavirus, hours after he tweeted saying he had been refused the Covid vaccine.

Future SJB Govt. will lift chemical manure ban

A future SJB government will make arrengements to import chemical fertilizer, SJB MP J. C. Alawathuwala said today.

A brigadier dies of Covid-19

Brigadier S.D Udayasena, the Director of Army Research Analysis, Projection and Development Branch has died due to COVID-19.

Sinopharm to deliver 4Mn vaccines to SL on Sept. 4: Chinese Embassy

Sinopharm has confirmed to deliver four million doses of Sinopharm vaccines to Sri Lanka on September 4, which is the largest reception on a single day,the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

Don’t allow tourists from countries where deadly COVID variant is rampant: NRC Chairman

The National Research Council of Sri Lanka (NRC) requested the President to stop allowing tourists from the countries where the world’s deadliest COVID virus variant-C.1.2 is found, including South Africa, NRC Chairman Prof. Hemantha Dodampahala said.

State of Emergency should be in force only for a limited period of time: CPA

While explaining the legal basis regarding the declaration of a state of emergency and specifically Emergency (Provision of Essential Food) Regulation, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) observed that the State of Emergency should be in force only for a limited period of time.

Govt. should show positive results within one week: UNP Dy. Leader

Government should show effective results of the emergency within a week by stabilising the distribution of essential goods, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

European study says no urgent need for booster shots for fully vaccinated people

A new study based on current evidence has ruled out any urgent need for booster shots for people fully vaccinated against Covid .

Lockdown needs to be extended by two more weeks to witness positive results: DG Health

Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardane said yesterday the current lockdown would have to be extended by at least two more weeks to witness the outcome of the current travel restrictions.

Endangering democracy through imposition of emergency: Sajith

The real objective of the government imposing an emergency is to form a dictatorial administration leading to the burial of democracy, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

Maximum retail price for sugar and rice gazetted

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued the gazette notification declaring the maximum retail price for sugar and rice with effect from today.

UK to maintain ban on LTTE: Foreign Ministry

Sri Lankan Government has been informed that the UK Home Secretary has decided to maintain the proscription of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a terrorist organization under the UK Terrorism Act No. 7 of 2000, the Foreign Ministry said.

Wear two facemasks if possible: Fernandopulle

State Minister Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle today advised people to wear two facemasks if possible as the Coronavirus is spreading fast.

204 more die of Covid-19: Death toll surges to 9,604

A total of 204 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (01) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 9,604.