Govt places orders for Oxygen supplies from India and Singapore

With the spike of Covid -19 patients needing breathing support, the government placed orders for the import of liquid Oxygen from India and Singapore, a Minister said.

156 more succumb to COVID-19

A total of 156 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (11) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 5,620.

Air Quality at ’moderate Level’ in Colombo

The quality of air in Colombo and suburbs in the coming days is to remain at ‘Moderate Level’, Senior Scientist of the Air Quality Unit at the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) H.D.S. Premasiri said.

Govt. manipulates data; hides truth from people : Hadunnetti

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today alleged that the Government was manipulating data and information on the Covid-19 pandemic violating the people’s right to know the true situation of the pandemic.

Sudarshini leads from the front, cancels son’s wedding reception

State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle has decided to cancel her son’s wedding reception which was scheduled to be held at a five-star hotel in Colombo this evening, family sources said.

Law students urge to halt Law College final year exams

In an online petition, the Law Students’ Union of Sri Lanka urges Sri Lanka Law College to halt conducting its final year examinations these days with the participation of over 1400 students from all over the country at Lumbini College, Colombo 05.

Narahenpita & Werahera DMT offices closed

The offices of the Department of Motor Traffic in Narahenpita and Werahera will remain closed from Monday (16), State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Sudarshini should be appointed Health Minister: SJB

State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle should be appointed as the cabinet Minister of Health in the impending cabinet reshuffle, if the current COVID pandemic is to be controlled effectively, an SJB MP said today.

Vaccination doesn’t cause complication to pregnancy: Dr. Pradeep de Silva

There is no issue with the ability to conceive a child after receiving the COVID vaccine, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Pradeep de Silva said.

Number of infected patients higher than official daily count?

Leading medical workers, in the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic have alleged that there is a discrepancy in the official count of infected patients released to the media.

Action needed to cremate Covid-19 victims without delay

The heads of local government institutions are advised to take necessary steps to cremate the bodies of those who died of Covid-19 without delay, State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Roshan Ranasinghe said.

Yoshitha denies involvement in gas business

Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Yositha Rajapaksa today denied rumors that he was trying to secure a stake in the domestic gas business.

Approval granted to increase Laugfs gas price

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has granted approval to increase the price of Laugfs gas cylinders, officials said.

Quarantine measures for travellers arriving from overseas revised

The Health Ministry has revised the quarantine measures to be followed by travellers arriving from foreign countries.

Bus topples in Jaffna, 24 injured

At least 24 passengers were injured when a bus skidded off the road and toppled at Manipay in Jaffna this morning.

Sri Lankan asylum seeker family is denied a High Court bid to stay in Australia

The High Court has refused to hear an appeal on behalf of a four-year-old girl whose Sri Lankan family are fighting to avoid deportation and return home to the Queensland town of Biloela.

Sex trading of 15-year-old girl: Four websites terminated

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) has terminated four websites which published malicious advertisements to market the 15-year-old girl from Mount Lavinia for sex trade, police said.

Over 260 vaccination centres operational countrywide

About 263 Community Vaccination Centres manned by tri-forces and health authorities will be operational countrywide today.

Army mobile vaccination fleet to begin in WP tomorrow

The Sri Lanka Army will commence a mobile vaccination for the elderly, sick, handicapped and feeble citizens from tomorrow in the Western Province.

CMC launches mobile vaccination

The Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has organized a mobile vaccination program for citizens who are immobile and or bed ridden and cannot go to a vaccination center, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake said.

Global warming; a problem for Sri Lanka too: Anil Jasinghe

The island states are most likely to be affected by the environmental damage caused by global warming and the impact on countries such as Sri Lanka, in particular, is very high, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

124 more die of COVID-19

A total of 124 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (10) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 5,464.

Japanese opposition reportedly demands parliamentary hearing on SL woman’s death

Four opposition parties in Japan, the Constitutional Democratic, the Democratic Party for the People, the Communist and the Social Democratic, demanded that the case of the death of a Sri Lankan woman in the immigration centre be brought before the parliamentary committee on legal issues, the national NHK broadcaster reported.

16 Ayurvedic drugs boost immunity against COVID-19

About 16 Ayurvedic medicines have so far been approved and given recommendations to be used as medicines to boost immunity against COVID-19, Ayurvedic Commissioner Dr. Dhammika Abeygunawardana said.

Issuing vehicle revenue licenses suspended in WP

Considering the rapid spreading of COVID in the Western Province (WP), issuing of vehicle revenue licences have been suspended, the Government Information Department said.

Immediate curfew will prevent 1,200 additional COVID deaths: Medical expert

The immediate imposition of curfew will prevent at least 1,200 additional deaths within the next 20 days, Professor of Community Medicine, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Professor Suneth Agampodi stressed.

I have no intention of engaging in Sri Lankan Politics: Vimukthi

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunge’s son Vimukthi Kumaratunge said he had no intention whatsoever of engaging in Sri Lankan Politics and refuted recent media reports of him entering the local political arena.

UNP urges govt. to impose lockdown

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene today urged the government to impose a lock down and introduce a convenient system for the people to obtain their essentials.

GNOA threatens TU action if Govt. fails to impose lockdown

The Government Nursing Officers’ Association (GNOA) today threatened to resort to a Trade Union action, if the Government fails to declare a practical and scientific lockdown claiming that the health sector is at a grave risk of getting contracted with Covid-19.

Birth, Marriage, Death Certificates through online: Registrar General’s Dept.

The Registrar General’s Department initiated a programme yesterday to issue birth, death and marriage certificates through online service.