Inter Province travel restriction to be strictly monitored from today - Army Chief

The inter province travel restriction will be strictly monitored from today and no one will be allowed to cross provinces other than essential and health workers, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror a short while ago.

Detained Rishard produced in court

Former Minister Rishard Bathiudeen who was arrested and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for aiding and abetting the suicide bombers of the Easter Sunday attack has been produced before the Fort Magistrate Court today.

Sharp spike in COVID cases, deaths toll could rise in coming weeks: PHI Head

No matter what could be done in the next two weeks, the number of COVID positive cases and COVID-related deaths will rise sharply, Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union President Upul Rohana said.

This government is too stubborn - Sajith

Whilst expressing his willingness to support the government to overcome the current medical crisis, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today questioned the government’s delay in calling for an All Party Conference.

Guinea records West Africa’s first Marburg virus death: WHO

Health authorities in Guinea have confirmed one death from Marburg virus, a highly infectious hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

Justice Nawaz declines to hear Azath Salley’s petition

Supreme Court Judge A.H.M.D. Nawaz today recused himself from hearing the Fundamental Rights petition filed by former Western Province Governor Azath Salley.

Possible travel restrictions to be imposed

Possible travel restrictions, restricting the movement of people is likely to be imposed today or tomorrow following discussions with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Daily Mirror learns.

Cabinet approval to import organic fertilizer for Maha Season

Cabinet approval has been granted to import organic fertilizer required for the Maha season (2020/21) as the local fertilizer producers were unable to supply the required volume.

Rs. 100,000 fine for violating Govt’s fixed price rule on essential goods: Bandula

A cabinet decision has been taken to increase the fine from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 100,000 if an essential commodity is sold at a higher price than the price fixed by the government, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said.

Nearly half a million people vaccinated yesterday

Nearly half a million of people were vaccinated yesterday against Covid-19 with over 300,000 second dose of Sinopharm vaccines.

Visiting Pensions Dept. suspended from today until further notice

Considering the pandemic situation in the country, the Pensions Department has decided to suspend the attendance of retirees for pension interview and retirees who come to the Department for various issues from today (10) until further notice.

Delta variant like a Tornado hitting all countries

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said the countries with advanced medical care such as the United States and the United Kingdom had not been spared by the Delta variant which hit the globe like a huge tornado, and asked how Sri Lanka alone could be safe.

Uncertainty over next stock of Sputnik vaccines

Uncertainty remains over the next stock of Sputnik V vaccines which were scheduled to be delivered to Sri Lanka.

People with HIV have increased risk from Covid: WHO expert

A WHO (World Health Organisation) expert said people living with HIV had an increased risk for severe disease from Covid as well as hospitalisation and stressed the need to prioritise vaccination of them globally.

Lockdown not ruled out

Health authorities say a lockdown has not been completely ruled out and appropriate steps will be taken when required. Government sources said that a brief lockdown and other restrictions are being considered to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Impose curfew, Medical Specialists urge Govt.

While stressing that the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka is extremely grim, the Association of Medical Specialsts (AMS) called upon the Government to impose curfew as it is the only successful mean of curtailing people’s movement in the country.

Every hospital to be converted to treat COVID patients

Every hospital island-wide will be converted into hospitals where COVID-19 patients are treated within this week, Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said.

Ranil did not criticise vaccination programme: UNP

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe did not criticise the COVID-19 vaccine programme carried out by the army or the army commander, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said today.

Services at post & sub-post offices restricted

The services at post and sub-post offices have been limited to four days per week considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country, Acting Post Master General H. Hewage said.

111 more die of COVID-19: Death toll surges to 5,222

A total of 111 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (08) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 5,222.

China behind SL’s vaccination programme success: Pavithra

The Chinese government has come forward to fulfil 80% coverage of vaccines in Sri Lanka making the vaccination programme a great success and thereby strengthen the country, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said

Alarming spike in delta variant, deaths mounting, hospitals spilling over: GMOF

There is an alarming increase in daily COVID-19 positive cases in the country and deaths are on the rise, the Government Medical Officers Forum (GMOF) said.

Hard to operate trains due to staff infected by COVID: SLSMU

It is difficult to maintain the train service due to COVID infection to 12 of the railway department staff, including station masters and junior staff members of the Railway Control Office, the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

Landmark U.N. report delivers stark warning on climate change, says it’s ’code red for humanity’

The world’s leading climate scientists on Monday delivered their starkest warning yet about the deepening climate emergency, with some of the changes already set in motion thought to be ’’irreversible’’ for centuries to come.

France to allow Sri Lankans to enter, subject to health protocols

France, in its entry conditions, has classified Sri Lanka in the orange zone enabling Sri Lankans to arrive in, subject to health protocols.

Rs. 10 mn for traffic police to buy test kits to net drunk drivers

The National Council for Road Safety, which is under the Transport Ministry, today provided Rs. 10 million to the Sri Lanka Police to purchase test kits to apprehend errant motorists who drive after consuming alcohol.

Country’s COVID deaths 10 times higher than in India: Prof. Angampodi

The number of COVID deaths reported in Sri Lanka is 10 times higher than the COVID deaths reported from India, Rajarata University Medicine Faculty Prof. Suneth Angampodi said.

45,000 children upto 18 years, 20,000 below 14 years found COVID positive, 14 deaths in last two years: Paediatrician

Around 45,000 children upto 18 years of age in the country have been tested positive for coronavirus, Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Govt. responsible for escalating Covid mortality among elders: Rathnapriya

National Trade Union Front Chairman Saman Rathnapriya today alleged that the Government should take the whole responsibility for the escalation of Covid mortality among senior citizens, as it has failed to prioritise vaccinating the people who are above 60 years of age as instructed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dock statement, evidence of a lesser weightage recognized in our law – CA

A dock statement is still evidence of a lesser weightage recognized in our law, the Court of Appeal observed in a recent judgment.