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.

Railway suspends fuel transportation from Kolonnawa due to COVID spread: SLSMU

The Railway Department suspended fuel transportation from Kolonnawa Oil Depot from yesterday due to COVID-19 spread, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

Met Dept. warns Naval, fishing communities to avoid East Central Bay of Bengal until further notice

Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the East Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining sea area, until further notice from today, the Meteorology Department.

Some private hospitals violating protocols when conducting PCR tests: NOCPCO

Some private hospitals have completely violated Health Ministry guidelines when conducting PCR tests and exceeded their capacities without following Ministry procedures, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Gampaha tops list among highest COVID cases reported yesterday: NOCPCO

Following the record 3,443 COVID positive cases for the last 24-hours, Gampaha district recorded the highest number of cases with 882 among other districts, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Fire reported on Singapore-flag ship off Colombo harbour

A fire was reported in a container on board a Singapore-flag ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ in the seas off Colombo Port, the Navy said.

TID net another man from Mawanella for conducting lessons on extremism

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) arrested 29-year old Mohamed Shahim for allegedly conducting Zahran Hashim’s extremism lessons in Mutur and Oluvil in 2018.

38 COVID deaths yesterday, death toll soars to 1,089

Another 38 COVID deaths were reported yesterday, mounting the death toll to 1,089, the Information Department said.

Trains off the track from tonight until May 28: Railway Dept.

The Railways Department is to suspend all train services after countrywide travel restriction will come into effect from tonight, Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

Countrywide travel restriction from tonight

A countrywide travel restriction will come into effect from 11.00 pm tonight and will be lifted at 4.00 am on Tuesday, May 25, and will once again be imposed from Tuesday 11.00 pm and will be lifted on May 28 at 4.00 am.

Daily COVID-19 cases exceed 3,000 mark for second consecutive day

The daily COVID-19 cases today surpassed the 3,000 mark for the second consecutive day.

No media censorship: Health Ministry

In reference to the circular issued by the Health Ministry informing health officials to be careful in issuing statements to media on the prevalent COVID situation, State Minister Sudarshini Fernandopulle said the relevant circular issued has no intention to do with media censorship.

Parliamentary Council approves Sanjay Rajaratnam as new AG

The Parliamentary Council has approved the appointment of Acting Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC as the new Attorney General (AG) following the retirement of the incumbent Attorney General, Parliament sources said.

Inquiry initiated over notable COVID spread in Thulhiriya factory

An inquiry has been launched into the incident where nearly 400 employees of a factory in the Thulhiriya Free Trade Zone (FTZ) have been found infected with COVID-19.

Country need to open 1,000-bed Inter treatment centres every six 6 hours a day: GMOA

The country is now in a situation where it needs to open inter treatment centres with 1,000 beds every six hours in a day, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando said today.

No services available on May 24, 25 at Narahenpita, Werahera Offices: DMT

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) today announced that no service could be availed from the Narahenpita and Werahera Offices on May 24 and 25.

State Minister recommends two-week lockdown to curb COVID spread

Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle today urged people to stay indoors for at least two weeks in order to contain the COVID virus.

If UK dictates SL, it will threaten Indo-pacific strategy ; Lord Naseby

Lord Naseby, who is also the President and founder of the All Party British Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group, warned the United Kingdom that Sri Lanka would be forced back to count on China and posing a threat to the Indo-pacific strategy if the United Kingdom chose to dictate.

Govt. aims to place Port City among top ten Eco Zones: Namal

The Government’s aim is to bring the Colombo Port City to the list of ten such economic zones in the world, Minister Namal Rajapaksa said today.

Drug Test mandatory for heavy vehicle drivers from today: Dilum

Drug Test for heavy vehicle drivers to obtain their driving licences has been made compulsory from today at the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) for the first time in the transport history, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Port City invites local & global companies to explore investment opportunities

The Project Company today invited local and foreign investors to connect with the company’s marketing team and explore the unique investment opportunities now available at Port City Colombo and to be a part of South Asia’s city of the future.

Relationships between countries in Asia should be strengthened to overcome COVID-19 challenges: Prez

The strengthening of relationships and understanding between the countries in Asia is even more important today than it has been in the past, given the ongoing pandemic and its consequences, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Authorised vaccines effective against all known Covid-19 variants: WHO

Authorised Covid-19 vaccines are effective against all known variants, including the one fuelling the current wave in India, the Europe director of the World Health Organization said on Thursday.

Port City Bill passed with amendments in Parliament

The Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill passed with amendments in Parliament with a majority of 91 votes a short while ago.

Three times as many COVID patients undetected in community: Sudharshini

While warning the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths could surge further in the coming weeks, State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said when over 2,000 positive cases are reported daily, there are two or three times of the number of cases that are undetected in the community.

Second reading of Port City Bill passed in Parliament

The Colombo Port City Economic commission Bill passed with a majority of 89 votes at the second reading in Parliament a short while ago

SLCPI urges caution on Covid vaccine procurement

The Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) whilst thanking the Government for its efforts in obtaining vaccines to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic said they will continue to collaborate closely with the Government and Health Authorities to ensure that the imports are strictly from legitimate distributors, registered with their Principals who are the global manufacturers.

No toll fee for Ambulances using expressways from today: Minister

The Government has decided not to collect the toll fee from ambulances using the expressways due to the pandemic situation prevailing in the country, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Expert committee appointed to expedite intl.drugs, treatment for COVID repression

Health Ministry Pavithra Wanniarachchi has appointed a Medical expert Committee to look into produce drugs and treatment internationally to control COVD virus.

Scientific, stringent 14-day travel restriction mandatory: Colombo Uni. Senior Lecturer

Considering the rapid escalation of COVID infections and deaths in the country, the govt. should impose a scientific, methodical and strict travel restrictions for at least 14 days, Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine of the Colombo University Senior Lecturer Dr. Manuj C. Weerasinghe said.