As hospitals spillover, only those with serious symptoms will now be hospitalised

As hospitals across the country are spilling over from the rapidly rising COVID-19 patients, many suspected to be carrying the highly contagious Delta variant, authorities yesterday announced a comprehensive home management treatment programme to be carried out in the Western Province, which has been identified as the epicenter of the Delta variant.

43% population have received either one or both vaccines: Army Chief

At least 43 per cent of the population has received either single vaccine or both doses as of up to now, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

No fuel shortage: Minister

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today that there was no fuel shortage in the country.

President to address the nation

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to address the nation, President’s Spokesman Kyngsly Rathnayake said.

Vaccination prevents arising of new Covid variants: WHO Chief Scientist

Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization (WHO) Soumya Swaminathan said vaccination against Covid -19 can prevent new variants arising by reducing the transmission.

SLFP suggests imposition of ’’scientific lock-down’’: Dayasiri

The SLFP requested the government yesterday to bring the country under what it called a ‘scientific lock down’ after a thorough assessment of opinion expressed by the Medical Experts, virologists and community physician in support of an island wide confinement to plug the sharp increase of the pandemic.

Taliban has no objection to Afghanistan’s cricket series with Pakistan in Sri Lanka

The Pakistan Cricket Board is confident that the political upheaval in Afghanistan will not affect their ODI series and, in fact, the Taliban authorities have given green light to the national team to play the matches in Sri Lanka as scheduled.

40 MT liquid oxygen due from India

Forty tons of liquid medical Oxygen is now being loaded into the Sri Lanka Navy vessel ‘Shakthi’ in the Chennai port and will be freighted to Sri Lanka, the Indian High Commission tweeted.

No community spread yet, says Health Ministry

In a situation where patients infected with COVID-19 are detected every part of the country with no origin, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said there is no community transmission yet in the country.

Daily Covid death toll exceeds 180

A total of 186 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (18) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 6,790.

Ranil urges Govt. not to recognise Taliban administration

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today urged the government not to recognise the Taliban administration and to shut down the Sri Lankan mission in Kabul, Afghanistan.

JVP urges Health Ministry heads to reveal true statistics without acting as Govt’s cat’s paw

Former JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa today urged the Health Ministry Secretary, Director General of Health Services and Chief Epidemiologist not to become a cat’s paw of the Government by issuing manipulated data and statistics of the Covid mortality and positive cases.

Vatican to issue statement on Easter Sunday attack soon: Catholic priest

Vatican is expected to make a statement on Easter Sunday attacks soon, a prominent Catholic priest said today.

Maha Nayaka Theros also request President to impose one-week lockdown

The Maha Nayaka Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters have sent a letter to the President requesting to close the country for at least a week to control the rapid spread of COVID-19 virus.

Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists urge authorities to decriminalize homosexuality

Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists urges the authorities to decriminalize homosexuality in Sri Lanka after bringing amendments to Section 365 of the Penal Code which states homosexuality is a criminal act.

Bar Association of Mount Lavinia decides to refrain from court work

The Bar Association of Mount Lavinia unanimously passed a resolution to refrain from court work except urgent matters from 19th of August to 27th of August 2021.

Bread, other bakery product prices to be increased

Prices of all bakery products including bread will be increased from next Monday (23), Bakery Owners’ Association said.

Go for three-week lockdown; 10 political parties affiliated with Govt. urge Prez

The Leaders of ten political parties that are affiliated with the Government have appealed to the President in writing about the importance of imposing a three-week lockdown in order to prevent a major havoc in future in terms of COVID-19 spread.

Exiled Afghanistan president lands in UAE

Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani has taken refuge in the United Arab Emirates, the Gulf nation says.

New process to direct Covid patients to hospital in WP

New process of directing COVID-19 patients to hospital or treating them at home, based on their conditions, will start from today in Western Province, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Kuwait resumes direct flights with six nations including SL

The Kuwait Cabinet yesterday decided to resume direct commercial flights with Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, whose nationals make up some 70 percent of residents in Kuwait, after months of suspension because of the coronavirus pandemic.

SLNS Shakthi to arrive from Chennai carrying 35 tonnes of oxygen

Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Shakthi which left for India will depart from Chennai Port this morning carrying 35 tonnes of oxygen to Sri Lanka.

Self-lockdown could destabilize the nation

Government should follow the trade associations and go for a lockdown as a self-lockdown could destabilize the nation, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Hela Bodhu Saviya offers to conduct online final rites for Covid victims

An organisation called Hela Bodhu Saviya has offered to conduct the final rites of Buddhist Covid victims through Zoom technology.

Close businesses as precaution to contain pandemic spread - Colombo Mayoress

Mayoress of Colombo Rosy Senanayake today requested for the closure of all business establishments in Colombo city as a precaution to contain  COVID 19 pandemic. 

170 COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 170 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (17) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 6,604.

Single dose of Sputnik-V highly immunogenic, new research finds out

A new research carried out by a team of world renowned scientists including two local scientists and researchers from Ministry of Health has determined that the single dose of Sputnik-V is highly immunogenic.

Health Ministry issues new health guidelines

The Health Ministry today issued a set of new health guidelines to be followed by the general public until August 31.

GMOA says Epidemiology Unit failed, writes to President

While stressing that Epidemiology Unit is accused of the credibility of the morbidity and mortality data on COVID -19, Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) in a missive to the President said that the Epidemiology Unit has failed in all the six tasks they are accountable for.

Nearly 1,500 COVID deaths, over 30,000 cases within ten days

About 1,500 people have succumbed to COVID-19 while over 30,000 have been infected with the virus within the past ten days in the country.