Directive to conduct RATs weekly on senior citizens with chronic diseases absurd: Dr. Abeysinghe

Claiming that the President’s directive to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at least once a week targeting the people over 60 years of age who are suffering from chronic diseases, was a useless exercise, former Chief Epidemiologist Nihal Abeysinghe said it would not contribute to prevent deaths of such people, but would only benefit those who import RAT tests kits.

Don’t pick or choose; take the first available vaccine: Health DG requests people

People are requested not to be choosy on COVID-19 vaccine brands that they should get but to take the first available vaccine at their earliest, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said.

Easter Sunday Attack: Perpetrators will suffer the same fate as the blast victims: Cardinal

Those who were behind the Easter Sunday mayhem will face a similar fate like that of blast victims, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said over the weekend.

Teenagers die in road mishap in Hambegamuwa

Two teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old had died when the three wheeler in which they were travelling veered off the road and rammed against a tree at Mailwala in Hambegamuwa yesterday.

Lockdown meaningful if people behave responsibly: PHI Head

The nationwide lockdown which is currently in place, including the quarantine curfew and travel restrictions, will be effective only if the community behaves responsibly, Head of the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union Upul Rohana said.

No more LP gas scarcity from tomorrow: State Minister

The prevailing domestic Liquid Petroleum (LP) gas scarcity in the country will be settled from tomorrow (23), Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.

20 Sri Lankans willing to stay back in Afghanistan, 46 evacuated : Foreign Ministry

Twenty Sri Lankans who are in Afghanistan have expressed their willingness to stay back in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said.

How a nation was left puzzled after the curfew was announced

Since the government announced a 10-day lockdown yesterday afternoon, the nation has been left puzzled. With contradictory terms used for the shutdown and then ever-changing lists being released as to who can function and who cannot, one wonders why a collective decision cannot be taken.

CPC Union Secretary Ananda Palitha arrested over fuel shortage claims

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for making a statement about fuel shortage.

Covid death toll exceeds 7,000 mark

The total number of Covid-19 deaths in Sri Lanka exceeded 7,000 with 198 more deaths being reported today.

RCB rope in Wanindu & Chameera for IPL 2021

The Sri Lankan pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, have joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for the second part of IPL 2021.

Gazette issued setting maximum retail prices for 60 essential medicines

The Health Ministry has issued an Extra Ordinary gazette notification setting maximum retail prices for 60 essential and commonly used medicines.

2,000-rupee relief allowance for families lost livelihood due to quarantine curfew

Families that lose their livelihoods due to quarantine curfew will be provided with a relief allowance of Rs. 2,000 from next Monday, Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle said.

India Sotheby’s clocks record sales of multi-million dollar homes in India, Sri Lanka

Despite the pandemic induced lockdown, India Sotheby’s International Realty has concluded over 50 transactions of million-dollar-plus homes worth $300 million in India and Sri Lanka, in the last one year.

Programme to vaccinate 60+ who are not vaccinated

The Home Affairs Ministry advised all Divisional and District Secretaries to arrange a programme to find people over 60 years of age who have not received any of the COVID-19 vaccine doses.

Gazette on adoption, safety measures for elephants

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued for the adoption of safety measures for elephants, including the erection of electrical fences, trenches, reforestation, and standards and specifications for traditional tools used by mahouts.

No public transport until August 30: Dilum

No public transport will be available during the nationwide lockdown period until August 30, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Functions permitted under quarantine curfew announced

The health Ministry has announced that all essential services such as health services and utility services should operate during the quarantine curfew period adhering to health guidelines.

Do not misuse curfew and stay home, warns army chief

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva yesterday warned people not to misuse the 10-day quarantine curfew which came into effect from 10 pm last night and to remain at home as health workers and authorities rushed against time to stop a further spread of the contagious Delta variant.

India approves world’s first DNA Covid vaccine

India’s drug regulator has approved the world’s first DNA vaccine against Covid-19 for emergency use.

Germany supports Sri Lanka to access EU market for organic products

Germany has stepped in to support Sri Lankan exporters of organic products to obtain broader market access to European Union by providing key information on required certifications and standards, labelling and packaging rules, and distribution channels, a German official said.

Island wide lockdown will affect daily wage earners: Cabraal

Money, Capital Market and State Enterprises Reform State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal said those who pressurise the government into imposing an island wide lockdown pay no attention to the plight of 4.2 million Sri Lankans who live on daily wages, self-employment and to casual workers in the state and private sector.

J’pura don, at Opposition leader’s office, asks for Cabinet rearrangement

The Cabinet should be rearranged in accordance with the urgent need of fighting the current pandemic and re-building the battered economy, a leading university don said yesterday.

More academic institutions for vocational training for students unable to enter University: Minister

More educational institutions should be created to include vocational training for students who are unable to pursue university education, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said.

Mining and trade license validity period extended: Amaraweera

Considering the delay in the issuance of licenses due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to extend the validity of the licenses which are being currently issued for mining and trade

People requested to brace themselves if lockdown drags for long time

In a situationg where the Government has already imposed a ten-day lockdown, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa requested the general public to be prepared to make sacrifices if the country is to be placed under a lockdown for a longer period of time.

Three mutations found in Delta variant from Colombo for the first time in the world

Three unique mutations appearing in Delta variant together found for the first in the world from Colombo, Dr Chandima Jeewandara said.

Every citizen above 30 to be fully vaccinated by Sept. 10: Prez

Every citizen above 30 years of age will be given both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by September 10,President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Khuram Sheikh’s murder; 20 years jail term against Tangalle former PS Chairman effective from 2014

The Colombo High Court has announced that 20-year-rigorous imprisonment was imposed against four accused including Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha former Chairman Sampath Vidanapathirana for murdering a British aid worker Khuram Sheikh, will be effective from July 18, 2014, the date the four accused were convicted.

Fully vaccinated people 65% less likely over unvaccinated to infect others: Expert

The fully vaccinated individuals are 65% less likely than unvaccinated individuals to infect others, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara from University of Jayawardenapura said.