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.

85% Covid deaths among those with chronic diseases: HPB Director

The Health Ministry said today that 85% of the 6,985 Covid-19 deaths that have been reported upto August 13, were among people who were suffering from chronic diseases and under medical treatment previously.

SL’s first envoy to Poland dies of COVID

The first Sri Lankan Ambassador to Poland and former Parliament Member for the Gampaha District Tudor Gunasekera has passed away due to COVID-19 infection.

Israel expands COVID booster shot drive to ages 30 and up

The Israel Health Ministry on Tuesday announced that Israelis age 30 and over are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster, expanding the program days after lowering the minimum age to 40.

Sri Lanka seeks safety of travellers from Afghanistan

Sri Lanka hoped that all those who possess travel authorization from other countries would be allowed to proceed in a safe and orderly manner to the points of departure and travel out of Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said.

Initiate mechanism at main Hospitals to vaccinate allergy-prone people: PHIU

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) today urged the authorities to initiate a mechanism at main Hospitals to provide Covid-19 vaccine to people who have allergic reactions.

STF nabs robber gang stealing mobile vendors’ mobikes posing as cops

The Special Task Force of Police (STF) have uncovered a gang which was engaged in modus operandi to steal motorcycles of those engage in mobile delivery posing as policemen during the curfew period.

Another MP tests Covid positive

SLPP Kurunegala District MP Asanka Navarathna said he has been tested COVID 19 positive.

Another 5,350 Covid-19 cases added to database

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry has added another 5,350 Covid-19 patients, increasing the total number of positive patients in Sri Lanka to 431,519.

UN stands in solidarity with enforced disappearances victims in SL:Hanaa Singer

The United Nations said today they would stand in solidarity with the victims of enforced disappearances, their families and communities, here in Sri Lanka and across the world.

Stalin to push for Citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin is to push for citizenship for Sri Lankan refugees in Tamil Nadu.

SL goes on alert over most mutated COVID variant detected in South Africa

Sri Lanka’s health officials have gone on alert over a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa and other 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.

BBS donates over Rs.7mn to buy COVID virus detection unit for Pera. Uni.

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary, Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera donated over Rs.7 million to purchase a COVID-19 virus detection unit which will facilitate sequencing purposes at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine.

Dinesh wins gold for Sri Lanka in Paralympics

Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha won the first Gold Medal for Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Paralympics after he set a new World Record in the Men’s F46 Javelin Throw with a distance of 67.79m

Over 6,000 health workers confirmed COVID positive; 250 in Kandy alone: Ratnapriya

More than 6,000 health workers in the health sector have contracted corona virus, Government Nurses Association President Saman Ratnapriya.

150,000 vials of Pfizer vaccines arrive

A consignment of 150,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine vials have been flown in to the country from the United States of America and freighted by Qatar Airways, the airport duty manager said.

Pandemic has brought high demand for cardboard coffins

The COVID 19 pandemic has brought about a high demand for cardboard coffins, Member of Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Priyantha Sahabandu said yesterday.

U.S. Ambassador urges Govt. to leverage IMF resources

U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz said she continues to urge the government to leverage the resources of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) as a member state and take advantage of the tools that can come to assess Sri Lanka’s economic performance.

CAA cracks down on three warehouses storing 5,400 tonnes sugar

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) cracked down on three warehouses unlawfully stored with 5,400 tonnes of sugar in Gampaha and Seeduwa during the last couple of days, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.

Booster shots likely from October

The Government is to consider administering booster shots from October, especially for the vulnerable groups.

4,612 fresh Covid-19 cases reported today

A total of 4,612 more COVID-19 patients have been detected today increasing the total cases reported in Sri Lanka to 426,169, the Government Information Department said.