Rumors on PM being infected with COVID-19 are false - Yoshitha

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is not infected with the COVID-19 virus and neither has he been admitted to the ICU, and rumors of his critical health are false, Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister Yoshitha Rajapaksa told Daily Mirror.

No curfew passes required to operate essential services: Army Chief

Curfew passes will not be required for those engaged in essential services including apparel, industries, agricultural activities during the quarantine curfew, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

76 individuals including Christian and Catholic priests call for the release of Hejaaz

In a public petition signed by 75 individuals including Christian and Catholic priests, they have called upon members of the Human Rights Council and all members of the international community to urge the Sri Lankan government to release Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah forthwith.

TNCM Stalin announces Rs 317 crore package for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday announced a package of welfare measures at a cost of Rs.317.40 Crore for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in special camps in the State.

Lockdown won’t be effective unless people behave responsibly: Minister

State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said today that lockdown would not be effective if people do not behave responsibly and fail to follow health practices.

Islandwide lockdown extended till Sept. 6

The ongoing islandwide lockdown has been extended till September 6, 4 am, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

SL to receive another 2 mn Sinopharm vaccines tomorrow

Another two million doses of Sinopharm vaccines will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (28), the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

No specific COVID vaccines mandatory for migrant workers to enter countries they work: Randeniya

No country has made it mandatory that a specific brand of COVID-19 vaccine should have been given to the migrant worker who enters the country where he/she is employed, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) Deputy General Manager Mangala Randeniya said.

Deadline to submit applications for A/L, grade 5 exams extended: Comm. General

The due date for accepting applications for the G.C.E. Advanced Level and Grade 5 scholarship examinations has been extended to September 15, the Examinations Department said.

New web portal to pre-register migrant workers for vaccination: SLBFE

A new portal has been opened on the Sri Lankam Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) website in order to pre-register migrant workers for COVID-19 vaccination programme, SLBFE said.

Smoking could fetch death to children during COVID season: Paediatrician

Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera yesterday requested the parents to stop smoking as it causes the death of children if they are infected with corona virus.

Nearly 200 COVID infected children treated at LRH: Director

Nearly 200 children infected with COVID virus are currently being treated at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo, LRH Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya said yesterday.

Biden condemns terrorist attack and vows to hunt down those responsible

President Biden on Thursday denounced a terrorist attack at the Kabul airport that killed at least 13 American service members and injured 18 more, saying that the frantic evacuation of U.S. citizens and allies from Afghanistan will continue even as he pledged to hunt down those responsible for the attacks.

Extension of nationwide lockdown: Decision today

A decision will be taken today whether the countrywide lockdown will be further extended after Monday when the COVID-19 Task Force convenes with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Delta variant may cause symptomless heart failure:Cardiologist

It has been revealed that the Delta variant could cause heart failure in individuals with no previous history of any chronic ailment including cholesterol hypertension or diabetes and without developing any symptoms of COVID-19.

Govt. using police for political ends: NPP

While claiming that the government was using the police to intimidate and harass those who criticize the former, the National People’s Power (NPP) yesterday denounced the government’s move to use the police for political ends.

209 more Covid deaths reported:Death toll exceeds 8,000 mark

The Covid-19 death toll in Sri Lanka exceeded 8,000 mark with 209 more deaths being reported today, the Government Information Department said.

4,602 fresh Covid-19 cases reported today

A total of 4,602 more COVID-19 patients have been detected today increasing the total cases reported in Sri Lanka to 412,370, the Government Information Department said.

SriLankan denies claims of deploying COVID-infected Flight Attendants

SriLankan Airlines categorically denied social media reports that the SriLankan Airline was deploying COVID-infected Flight Attendants and said it was untrue and misleading the public at a time the entire country is suffering due to the recent spike in the spread of the pandemic.

Covid is not a disease to be dreaded- SB

Government MP S. B. Dissanayake said Covid-19 was not a disease that people should dread unnecessarily.

Covid vaccination given to child: Doctor, health officer transferred in Chilaw

A doctor in charge of a Covid vaccination centre in Chilaw along with a Family Health Officer have been transferred over an incident where a Covid-19 vaccine was administered to a 12-year-old child without the approval of the Health Ministry.

Blast outside Kabul airport kills at least 13, including children, Taliban official says

A suspected suicide bomb exploded outside Kabul airport on Thursday, killing at least 13 people including children, a Taliban official said, after the United States and allies urged Afghans to leave the area because of a threat by Islamic State.

Speaker certifies Covid-19 Temporary Provisions Bill

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has certified the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) (Temporary Provisions) Bill on August 23, 2021,Secretary General of Parliament Mr. Dammika Dasanayake said.

War widows, ex-servicemen to be inoculated with vaccines donate by China’s PLA

Disabled war heroes, war widows, dependents and ex-servicemen are expected to be vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccines which will arrive in Sri Lanka on Saturday as a donation by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, the Defence Ministry said.

Nearly 600 COVID patients at NHC, 266 on oxygen

A total of 593 COVID-19 patients are receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo (NHC) as of today and 266 of them are on oxygen, hospital sources said.

Ranil urges govt. to extend lockdown

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today urged the government to extend the lockdown in accordance with the heath expert advice.

Pramitha Bandara appointed Assistant Government Whip

SLPP parliamentarian Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon has been appointed as the Assistant Government Whip.

Four Covid vaccines effective in reducing deaths against Delta variant: Bahrain Study

The four Covid-19 vaccines - Sinopharm, Pfizer, AstraZeneca-Covishield and Sputnic V were effective in reducing deaths in vaccinated people when compared to unvaccinated people prior to and during the period when the Delta variant became dominant in Bahrain, a Bahraini research has revealed.

Online portal launched to obtain COVID-19 smart vaccine certificate

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) launched the COVID-19 Smart Vaccine Certificate Portal today, for the general public and those who are planning to travel overseas, ICTA Chairman Oshada Senanayake said.

Sri Lanka reached its worst, highest level in COVID-19 epidemic: GMOA

The country has reached its worst and highest level in the COVID pandemic, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) General Secretary Dr. Nalinda Herath said.