Priority for transport services generating revenue through 2022 budget: Minister

New revenue-generating programs should be formulated through transport services to rebuild the economy of the country, which has collapsed due to the COVID-19 epidemic, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

194 more COVID-19 deaths reported: Death toll exceeds 9,000 mark

The Covid-19 death toll in Sri Lanka surpassed 9,000 mark today with 194 more deaths being reported today.

Request made to vaccinate children above 12 with chronic diseases: Dr. Kithulwatte

The Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians has requested the authorities to take steps to provide Covid-19 vaccine to children above 12 years of age who have chronic diseases, a medical specialist said today.

Delayed reports lead to contradictory figures on daily Covid cases: Dr. Herath

Statistics on daily Covid cases had to be updated repeatedly as there was a delay in reporting data on positive cases that were identified through Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) performed on field and in private sector hospitals, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said today.

ASP’s wife and son died of COVID-19

The wife and only son of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the IGP’s Secretariat, has died due to the COVID-19.

First twin baby elephants born at Pinnawala

For the first time in the history of the country, twin baby elephants were born at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage today.

Probe into Lanka boat intercepted with drugs, rifles may suggest LTTE revival: Kerala, TN officials

An ongoing National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the seizure of 300 kg heroin, five AK-47 rifles and 1,000 live rounds of 9mm ammunition off the coast of Vizhinjam near Thiruvananthapuram has led to speculation that an international drug running and weapon trading racket is aimed at reviving the Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group LTTE.

Jacqueline Fernandez questioned as a witness in money laundering case in India

Sri Lankan Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has been questioned by India’s Enforcement Directorate as a witness to a money-laundering racket, according to several media reports.

5,858 Covid patients treated in 13 Ayurvedic Hospitals; 4,720 fully recovered: Minister

Some 5,858 Covid patients were treated in 13 Ayurvedic Hospitals while 4,720 of them have fully recovered by now, State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and Ayurvedic Hospitals Development and Community Health Sisira Jayakody said.

Covid-19: Govt. to provide indigenous medicines to all families

The Government has planned to implement a program to provide indigenous immune strengthening medicines and immune strengthening porridge to all families in the country with the aim of controlling the current Covid 19 pandemic.

Rs. 500 counterfeit currency notes circulating in several areas; arrested suspects reveal

Three persons have been arrested with 602 counterfeit currency notes of Rs. 500 by the Special Task Force of Police (STF) during a raid in Seeduwa.

Red Data Book completed after 10 years: Environment Ministry

The Environment Ministry has completed the preparation of a new edition of the Red Data Book on Endangered fauna and flora in Sri Lanka, which is compiled every five years.

Notice to people who didn’t receive Rs. 2,000 allowance: Ministry

The Home Affairs Ministry today requested people who have not yet received the allowance of Rs. 2,000 to appeal through the respective Grama Niladhari in charge of their area of ​​residence.

China cuts children’s online gaming to one hour

Online gamers under the age of 18 will only be allowed to play for an hour on Fridays, weekends and holidays, China’s video game regulator has said.

COVID vaccination centres functioning today

A total number of 522 COVID-19 vaccination centres will be in operation in 23 districts across the country today, the Health Ministry said.

Rs. 5,000 allowance until teachers, principals salary proposal included in budget

It was reported that the Finance Minister had agreed to pay an allowance of Rs. 5,000 for two months for teachers and principals as relief until their salary anomalies are sorted out.

Five arrested with 290kg of heroin at sea

Five suspects have been arrested while they were sailing with a consignment of 290 kg of heroin in the seas off Beruwala this morning, the navy said.

CID summons Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara

Former Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara has been summoned to appear before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today to record a statement regarding an information that he had revealed during an interview.

Drug for mental disorders misused

A stock of 17,000 tablets of a drug used in the treatment of mental disorders which was being sold to drug addicts at exorbitant prices and a stock of 1,000 tablets used in illegal abortions were seized and a suspect arrested by Kandy Police during a raid on a pharmacy in Ampitiya area in the early hours of last morning.

’Most mutated’ COVID variant

Already exhausted from the rapid spread of the Delta variant which has infected over 60,000 people in recent weeks, Sri Lanka’s health officials have gone on alert over a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa and several other countries, which global health experts say may be the most mutated version of the virus found so far and may have the ability to evade COVID-19 vaccines which are currently available.

SL receives 15,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine

A consignment of 15,000 vials of second dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines was brought to the country this morning.

Free Ayurvedic medicines for Covid families

The Ayurvedic authorities have run short of items such as ginger and coriander needed for the manufacture of Ayurvedic medicines to be delivered to the doorsteps of people fallen sick with COVID-19, a minister said.

Govt. to cut down on state expenses

The Government has decided to strictly restrict state expenses owing to the grave financial crisis the Government was facing. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has informed the Cabinet that state revenue has decreased drastically as the economy is facing a grave crisis due to the Covid pandemic and that it was not sufficient even for recurrent expenditure.

President declares emergency regulations on provision of essential food

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has declared Emergency regulations on the provision of essential foods with effect from midnight today, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

216 COVID-19 deaths reported: Death toll surges to 8,991

A total of 216 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (29) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 8,991.

Bail refused for Rishad’s wife and her father for the third time

Bail applications filed on behalf of the wife of Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and her father were today rejected by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, for the third consecutive time.

More vaccines for Army-driven vaccination, less for hospitals, MOH: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today charged that large stocks of COVID-19 vaccines were provided for vaccination rollout by the Sri Lanka Army, but inadequate vaccines supplied for the hospitals and for the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices.

Army chief promotes Gold Medalist Dinesh as Warrant Officer 1

Seargent Dinesh Priyantha Herath who won the Gold medal at Tokyo Paralympic Games, has been promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer 1 by Army Commander General Shavendra Silva with the approval of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary.

Another Paralympian wins bronze medal for SL

Sri Lanka’s Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku won the Bronze medal in Men’s F64 Javelin Throw event at Tokyo Paralympic Games.

900 Covid-infected pregnant mothers under treatment; 32 deaths so far: Dr. Chithramali

Some 4,200 pregnant mothers have been infected with Covid-19 so far in Sri Lanka, while 900 of them were under medical treatment at present, Family Health Bureau Director Dr. Chithramali de Silva said.