Rishad allegedly threatens doctor at prison: Police, Prisons launch probe

The Prisons Department has also initiated an investigation into the alleged death threats made by MP Rishad Bathiudeen at a prison doctor.

Elephant runs amok during Kandy Perahera

A tense situation prevailed during the final Randoli Perahera of the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy when an elephant carrying the casket of the Kataragama Devalaya, ran amok last night.

Court hearings restricted to urgent cases

The Supreme Court has announced that only ‘urgent’ matters will be taken up in open court for hearing from August 23rd to 31st, due to the COVID19 situation in the country.

Increase in bakery products won’t take effect today: OPBOA

Considering the severe inconvenience faced by the people due to the pandemic situation in the country, the Outer Province Bakery Owners Association (OPBOA) has decided not to increase the prices of bakery products.

Ayurvedic doctor complains against health authorities

A registered Ayurvedic doctor has lodged a complaint with IGP Chandana Wickremaratne urging him to initiate legal action against health authorities for allegedly allowing Covid-19 infected patients to die without treating them under the Ayurvedic Health Care System.

Full course of Chinese vaccines effective against Delta variant: New research reveals

A research team led by leading Chinese Epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan has identified that the administration of the full course of Chinese vaccines is effective against the Delta variant of Covid-19, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said.

People get immune response after Covid: WHO scientist

People get immune response after getting Covid, but it is always advisable to receive vaccination after recovery from the disease, a scientist said.

Another 76,000 vials of Pfizer vaccines flown in

Another cargo containing 76,000 doses of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vials has been flown into the country from the United States of America and freighted by Qatar Cargo Airways, the airport duty manager said.

Work on roads, bridges to continue despite quarantine curfew: Highways Minister

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that construction work of roads, bridges and highways will continue as usual despite the countrywide quarantine curfew.

Proper lockdown where advice of health experts are followed is the need of the hour: Ruwan

A proper lockdown where advice of health experts are followed is the need of the hour as there are people loitering along roads despite the quarantine curfew in place,” UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Apparel industry urges not to scuttle delivery under the pretext of Covid-19 prevention

Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters, which represents the SMES in the apparel industry stressed the need to proceed with manufacture of garment products despite the lockdown to meet orders from foreign buyers with quality and on time delivery.

Daily Covid-19 cases exceed 4,000 mark

The daily COVID-19 cases today surpassed the 4,000 mark increasing the total number of positive cases in Sri Lanka to 390,000, the Government Information Department said. .

Travel restrictions should be extended by ten more days: Medical specialist

The quarantine curfew which has been declared for ten days, should be extended by at least ten more days to successfully curtail the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths caused due to complications, former Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said today.

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine 95% effective in controlling ’Delta’ variants: NRC Chairman

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine was 95% effective in controlling the ’Delta’ variants which have been identified in the country, the National Research Council (NRC) Chairman Prof. Hemantha Dodampahala said.

183 more succumb to Covid-19

A total of 183 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (21) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 7,366.

18 to 30 years olds to be vaccinated from second week of Sept.: Dr. Ginige

The government has planned to complete providing the COVID-19 vaccine for people between the ages of 18 and 30 from the second week of September, Epidemiology Unit Director Dr. Samitha Ginige said.

China to supply 3Mn more vaccines by end Aug.

Another three million Sinopharm vaccines will be supplied by the China by the end of this month, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said today.

Govt. declares ’vaccination week’ for elderly people

The Government has declared the week from tomorrow (23) as a special ’vaccination week’ for the unvaccinated people above 60 years of age, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

SJB MPs to donate their emoluments for Covid-19 fund

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs have decided to contribute their one month salary to a special fund that is to be opened by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, MP Harin Fernando confirmed.

Indian vessel arrives with 100 tonnes of oxygen

The Indian Naval Vessel Shakti arrived at the Colombo Port carrying 100 tonnes of Oxygen from India today.

CPC Union Secretary Ananda Palitha granted bail

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for making a statement about fuel shortage, was released on bail today.

45 artistes participated in Kandy Perahera test Covid positive

Some 45 artistes in a dance troupe which had taken part in the Kandy Esala Perahera have been tested positive with Covid-19, Health Authorities said.

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.