Sinovac to manufacture vaccines locally within the next two months: Prof. Jayasumana

The discussion held with regards to manufacturing the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines locally was a success and hoping to manufacture the vaccines within the next two months, Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana said.

’’In these troubled times, think about life options in the light of Lord Buddha’s teachings’’

While wishing the members of the Venerable Maha Sangha and the Buddhist public, a blessed Vesak celebration, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said that in these troubled times, when Covid-19 is afflicting our nation, it is important for us to think about our life options in the light of the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

South Korea removes mask mandate for vaccinated people

South Koreans who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors, the government announced on Wednesday.

Police to take action against those collect debris from ’X-Press Pearl’

The police had began an investigation to identify and take action against those who had rushed to the shores of Colombo, Negombo and nearby areas to collect waste from the burning ship ‘ MV X-Press Pearl’.

Massive Sinkhole opens up close to Kothmale Dam

A massive sinkhole has appeared on the road leading to the Kothmale Dam today (26).

Debris coming from Pearl X-Press not yet classified or identified, says CEA

While saying the debris or waste coming off the distressed MV X-PRESS PEARL vessel are hazardous, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) today stressed that those waste material have not been yet separately classified and therefore, it is extremely dangerous to touch or collect them.

Presidential pardon for 260 prisoners on Vesak Day

A total of 260 prisoners were released today on a presidential pardon given due to Vesak Poya Day, Prisons Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said.

76,000 consumers affected due to adverse weather: CEB

Some 76,000 consumers have been affected by power breakdowns due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country, Power and Energy Development Director and Media Spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardena said.

First lunar eclipse of this year visible tonight at moonrise

The first lunar eclipse of this year will be visible to many parts of the world including Sri Lanka on today (on the Vesak Full Moon day), Prof. Chandana Jayaratne of the Department of Physics, Colombo University said.

Some people in Negombo spotted carrying away washed away debris

Some people in Negombo were spotted carrying debris washed ashore on the beaches from the burning X Press Pearl ship in the outskirts of the Colombo port, despite a warning by the Marine Environment Protection Authority not to touch any of the washed ashore debris as it could be harmful.

Ten Opp. Leader’s office staffers test COVID positive

At least 10 members of the Opposition Leader’s office in Parliament were tested COVID-19 positive, a spokesman from the Opposition Leader’s office said today.

Sajith and Jalani recovering from COVID-19

The health condition of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife Jalani Premadasa who contracted the COVID-19 is improving, a spokesman from the Opposition Leader’s office said.

Temporary restriction on inbound travelers lifted from June 1

The Government has decided to lift the temporary restriction imposed on inbound travelers with effect from June 1, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said.

Fire on MV X-Press Pearl: Two Indian crew members test COVID positive

The two Indian crew members who were hospitalised after being rescued from the distressed MV X-Press Pearl ship, tested positive with COVID-19.

Fire on MV X-Press Pearl: Eight containers washed ashore off Negombo: DMC

Around eight containers of the ship MV X-Press Pearl have washed ashore off the coast of the seas of Negombo and Colombo, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Defence Ministry says US Level 4 category does not reflect terrorism

An assessment by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence with regard to the U.S. travel warning on Sri Lanka by the U.S. State Department under Level 04 Category revealed that neither reports on terrorist threats nor such related activities were revealed as of today

COVID patient escapes from private hospital in Kollupitiya

A man who tested positive with COVID-19 had escaped from a private hospital in Kollupitiya yesterday, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

COVID patients urged to complain if mistreated at hospitals

Patients have been urged to complain if they are mistreated at hospitals after being admitted while suffering from COVID19. Deputy Director-general Health Services (DDGHS), Dr. Hemantha Herath told Daily Mirror that several hotlines have been introduced for patients to register their concerns and complaints on mistreatment.

Engage in Amisa and Prathipaththi Pooja by staying at home during this Vesak: Prez

While saying that people have lost the opportunity to engage in religious observances collectively on the recommendations of the health sector due to the global Covid-19 epidemic, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa appealed to the people to engage in Amisa Pooja and Prathipaththi Pooja with great veneration towards the Three Noble Events (Themangula) by staying at home.

Second batch of Sinopharm vaccines arrive

A total number of 500,000 doses of Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccines were brought to the Katunayake International Airport by a special SriLankan Airlines aircraft this morning.

Oil slick, if spilt from Pearl vessel likely to head towards Negombo lagoon : MEPA

It has been forecast that in the event any oil spillage from MV E-XPRESS PEARL, is likely to waft towards the Negombo lagoon, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said yesterday.

DMC warns of floods in Kalutara and Ratnapura Districts

Flash floods have been reported along the low-lying areas which are in Kalu Ganga basin as a result of the adverse weather conditions that are prevalent in the country, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

28 more COVID-19 fatalities reported

The COVID-19 death toll in the country climbed to 1,269 with 28 more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services, the Government Information Department said.

Prison inmate escapes while transferred to treatment centre

An inmate at the Boossa Prison who tested positive for COVID-19 has escaped today.

No change in terrorist threat level for Sri Lanka: US

The United States has clarified that there is no change in the terrorist threat level for Sri Lanka. The US State Department had on Monday issued an updated travel advise on Sri Lanka telling Americans not to travel to Sri Lanka.

Don’t resort to TU action, will get vaccine in next round: Home Affairs Ministry

The Home Affairs Ministry today announced that all officers at District Secretariats, Divisional Secretariats, Grama Niladharis and all Development officers not to engage in any kind of Trade Union (TU) action as they would be the next group to get vaccinated.

Extreme weather: Many rivers reach flood levels

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) today alerted that the water levels at several gauging stations of five rivers have reached flood level.

Cabinet nod to build new refinery in Sapugaskanda

The cabinet has given the green light to Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila to construct a new Oil refinery with the capacity of 100,000 BPD (Barrels Per Day) at Sapugaskanda and also to renovate the existing refinery to raise its daily capacity to 45,000 BPD from the current 38,000, Minister Gammanpila said.

1,808 fresh COVID-19 cases detected so far today

A total of 1,808 more COVID-19 patients have been detected so far today, the Government Information Department said.

Man carrying goods on wheelbarrow arrested

A 40-year old man from Darga Town, who was seen in a video which circulated on social media today, carrying goods in a wheelbarrow without a face mask, has been arrested.