46 more fall prey to COVID-19; highest single-day tally so far

A total of 46 more COVID-19 fatalities were reported yesterday recording the highest single-day tally in Sri Lanka so far

Central Bank insists on fuel price hike

The Central Bank has inspired that fuel prices should be revised to conform to spikes in the world market, a Minister said today.

Liquor outlets will remain closed on May 25

Despite the island-wide travel restrictions will be lifted for limited period next Tuesday, all licensed liquor sales outlets should be kept closed on May 25 as well, the Excise Department said.

2,145 fresh COVID-19 cases detected so far today

A total of 2,145 more COVID-19 patients have been detected so far today, the Government Information Department said.

PCR and RATs: Guidelines issued to private hospitals

The Health Ministry has issued guidelines to be adhered by Private hospitals when conducting Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

1,635 more Covid-19 recoveries reported

A total of 1,635 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 126,995, the Health Ministry said.

US undecided on AstraZeneca, other vaccines for Sri Lanka

The United States has not yet decided if Sri Lanka will be among the beneficiaries of Covid vaccines it hopes to share with the world. The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka (SPC) had said earlier that the US State Department is to give 2-5 million doses of AstraZeneca out of which 600,000 doses are expected to arrive by June.

Grace period granted to pay traffic fines

The Postal Department today said a grace period would be granted to pay traffic fines delayed due to COVID situation.

Naval, fishing communities advised not to venture into sea until further notice

The Meteorology Department advised Naval and fishing communities not to venture into the East Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining area (08N-20N, 83E-100E) from May 22, and sea areas around the island from May 23, until further notice.

Fire on Singapore-flag cargo ship to be probed; flames still visible time to time

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has taken steps to investigate whether the Singapore-flag cargo ship that caught fire in the sea near the Colombo harbor has caused any damage to the marine environment as the vessel contained shipment of nitric acid in it, MEPA Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said.

Controversial plaque omitting Tamil language at AGs Dept removed

The plaque that had been erected to mark the opening of the Smart Library of the Attorney General’s Department, by an inadvertent omission did not contain the script in the Tamil Language, has been removed, Attorney General’s Coordinating Officer Nishara Jayaratne said.

Air India hit by massive data breach, flyer data compromised

India’s national airline Air India on Friday reported a data breach that it said involved the personal data, including contact details, credit card numbers and passport information, of an unspecified number of customers.

Voting in favour of Port City Bill; Membership of two ACMC MPs suspended

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has suspended the party membership of its two members who voted in favour of the Port City Economic Commission Bill.

State official arrested for spreading fake news on social media

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) took into custody an Assistant Commissioner of Land Settlements in Kotmale for spreading false news on Facebook, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said

Govt. seeks help from NGOS, INGOS

The government has sought the assistance of the NGOS and INGOS to obtain high flow oxygen therapy machines to meet the increasing demand for them to treat COVID-19 patients, an official said.

Showery conditions likely to enhance during the next few days

Showery conditions over South-western part (Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern Provinces) of the island and the windy condition over the island are likely to enhance during the next few days with some places expected to experience over 100 mm of rain, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Apparel factory manager remanded for violating quarantine regulations

Galle Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana ordered the apparel factory Manager who provided false information on first level associates and made way for the spread of the virus by violating the quarantine regulations to be remanded until May 31. He was the manager of an apparel factory in Koggala Free Trade Zone.

Olympics Games will go ahead even under state of emergency: IOC official

The Tokyo Olympics will go ahead even if the city is under a state of emergency due to COVID-19, a top Olympic official said on Friday, underscoring the challenges facing organisers of the pandemic-hit Games.

44 COVID deaths yesterday, death toll soars to 1,132

Another 44 COVID deaths were reported yesterday, mounting the death toll to 1,132, the Information Department said.

Govt. using quarantine laws to suppress opposition instead preventing COVID-19: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today charged that the government was using quarantine laws to suppress the opposition instead of using them to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Daily count of COVID-19 cases increases to 3,538

A total of 647 more COVID-19 patients have been detected increasing the daily count of COVID-19 cases to 3,538, the Government Information Department said.

Nigeria’s military investigates reports of Boko Haram leader’s death

Nigeria’s military is investigating reports that the leader of militant Islamist group Boko Haram may have been killed or seriously injured following clashes with rival jihadists, an army spokesman said on Friday.

Tell me about any matter, instead telling media: President tells state officials

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said it was more important for state officials and those responsible to directly inform him if there were any matters regarding COVID situation instead of making statements to media and creating fear among people.

SPC secures 32mn doses of COVID-19 vaccines

The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation of Sri Lanka (SPC) has been able to secure 32 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for Sri Lanka, SPC Chairman Dr Prasanna Gunasena said.

Australian professor appeals to the UN after SL Govt. names him in terror report

An Australian professor is appealing to the United Nations after the Sri Lankan government released a report alleging he was involved in the deadly Easter Sunday terror bombings in 2019.

1,828 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 1,828 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 125,360, the Health Ministry said.

MAS Holdings issues statement on spike in COVID cases in Polgahawela Thurulie plant

The MAS Holdings has issued an official statement with regard to spike in COVID-19 cases in the Thurulie plant, Polgahawela where 380 employees tested positive for the virus.

Avant-Garde floating armoury case; Nissanka Senadhipathi acquitted

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar today acquitted and released all the suspects, including Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi from all charges in relation to the Avant-Garde floating armoury case.

Medical professionals stress need to go for two-week lockdown

While saying that it will not be long before the hospitals are flooded with patients, completely inundated and the medical staff are stretched way beyond their capacity, resulting in a serious breakdown of our health sector, Medical Professionals demanded the Government to go for a two-week lockdown or curfew.

Over 1,000 children infected from COVID-19: Paediatrician

More than 1,000 children said to have been infected with COVID-19 and the Pediatricians request the Government to take necessary steps to vaccinate the children above 12 years of age.