Two construction site workers in Slave Island found positive with new Delta variant

Two construction workers attached to a building site in Slave Island were happened to be close associates of the person who was found infected first with Delta varient of COVID-19 are suspected to have been infected with the same variant, Chief Medical officer Colombo Municipal Council ( CMC) Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said today.

Government defends decision to ban passengers from the Gulf

Cabinet Spokesman, Keheliya Rambukwella said that with over 100 Covid positive patients being reported from among arrivals from the Middle East, the Government was compelled to enforce the temporary ban.

Prof. Neelika Malavige resigns from vaccine committee

Prof. Neelika Malavige (immunologist) attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura Faculty of Medical Sciences has resigned from the independent vaccine advisory expert committee of the drug regulator.

Several areas in Colombo, Gampaha isolated

Several areas in Colombo and Gampaha Districts have been isolated from 6 am this morning,the National Operations Center for Prevention of COVID-19 said.

Vaccines given 44-45 weeks apart observed increasing and prolonging immunity: Report

Two doses of the Astrazeneca vaccine administered 44-45 weeks apart generated nearly four times the level of antibodies than when the doses were given 8-12 weeks apart, says a report by the Oxford Vaccine Group, the developers of the vaccine, on Monday, the Hindu reported.

Govt to suspend import of sugar to prevent profiteering by importers: State Minister

State Minister of Minor Export Crops Janaka Wakkumbura said the government decided to suspend the import of sugar to prevent profiteering by importers who had stocks for more than six months in case of any increase of import tax on sugar.

SF defends Army Commander against Ranil’s criticism

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said he could not agree with former Prime Minister UNP National List MP Ranil Wickremesinghe for his recent remarks criticising the security forces for what he said ‘overlooking the Cabinet’ in anti- pandemic operations.

Passengers from Gulf temporarily banned

The National Operations Centre for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) has decided to temporarily ban passengers from Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Western countries support organic farming, President informed cabinet

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had informed the Cabinet this evening that Western countries such as Germany pledged their support to introduce organic farming successfully.

Pfizer & Moderna jabs to be used as 2nd dose for COVISHIELD first dose recipients

The Health Ministry has granted the approval for the use of US produced Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines as the second dose for those who were administered with the AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine as the first dose.

41 more succumb to COVID-19

A total of 41 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (27) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 2,985.

Two million doses of Sinopharm vaccine to arrive in SL on July 2 and 4

Sinopharm has confirmed that two million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine procured by Sri Lanka will be delivered on July 2 and 4, Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

Govt. unveils new programme to help treat COVID-19 patients at home

The Health Ministry today introduced a new hotline number 1390 to create a new process to properly care the COVID-19 patients at home.

Torture and nailed to cross for defaming friend on FB: Two arrested with five swords

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction, torture and nailed to a cross of two persons in a highly torturous manner for sharing a defamation post against an individual on Facebook.

Passengers from eight countries barred from disembarking in Sri Lanka

All online and offline airlines that passengers with a travel history (including transit) in the past 14 days to Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe will not be permitted to disembark in Sri Lanka from July 1.

Ranjan undergoing treatment at Karapitiya Hospital for knee injury

Ranjan Ramanayake, who is serving a four-year rigorous imprisonment at the Angunukolapalassa Prison, has been admitted to the Karapitiya hospital to undergo a surgery.

Kusal Mendis, Dickwella & Danushka Gunathilaka suspended

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has suspended cricketers Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka pending inquiry for breaching the bio-bubble during England tour and had been recalled immediately to Sri Lanka, SLC Secretary Mohan De Silva said.

Dreaded Delta variant reported from Kahathuduwa

The Indian variant known as Delta has been detected from a resident in Relawala Grama Niladhari Division, Jayaliyagama in Kahathuduwa, the Health officials said.

Stray dog enters Covid treatment centre, bites three women

A stray dog that has entered a Covid-19 treatment centre at Kosnilgoda Hospital in Morawaka had bitten three women who were receiving treatment there.

Seven killed, many injured in blast in Bangladesh

At least seven people were killed and more than 50 people were injured in an explosion in the Bangladeshi capital late on Sunday, police said.

Lunch sheets less than 20 microns is beyond truth, even manufacturers can’t recognize: Minister

Lunch sheets thickness less than 20 microns is completely beyond truth. Even manufacturing companies cannot measure the gauge, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Cricketers face suspension for breaching bio-bubble

Three national cricketers currently on tour in England are facing the prospect of a suspension by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for breaching bio-bubble protocols.

Video of SL players enjoying their tour in England hits social media

A video is being circuiting on social media showing Sri Lankan cricketers Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis enjoying their tour on Sunday night at Durham in England.

Trade Minister rebuffs demand for price hike for milk powder

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana yesterday ruled out the possibility to grant approval for a price hike of imported milk powder because it would add to the burden of people battered by the pandemic.

Sri Lanka to get one million Moderna vaccine doses next month from COVAX

In a major boost to its vaccine drive, Sri Lanka will receive one million doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccines next month through the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) COVAX facility, a minister said yesterday.

SLPP Ministers, backbenchers insist on Basil’s entry to Parliament

State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza said that Mr. Basil Rajapaksa who heads the Presidential Task Force on Economic Regeneration and Poverty Alleviation should be in Parliament.

70 trains will run within provinces tomorrow: SLSMU

The Railways Department has decided to operate 70 trains from tomorrow, the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

COVID vaccine for those who embark on foreign employment: SLBFE

The Government had decided to administer Covid-19 vaccines for all those who will be leaving Sri Lanka to take up foreign employment from next week, Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) media spokesman and Deputy Manager Mangala Randeniya said.

Over 400 people from WP obtained AztraZeneca second dose in Galle: Inquiry reveals

A probe has revealed that a total of 425 people from the Western Province had obtained the COVISHIELD second dose in Galle violating quarantine regulations on June 5 and 7, the Health authorities said.

Four suspects escape from Kurunegala Prison, one arrested

Four suspects,who were remanded at the Kurunegala Prison have escaped, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.