40,000 elderly forgo COVID vaccine in Colombo

At least 40,000 persons above 60 years of age have not received their COVID-19 vaccine in the Colombo city owing to several misconceptions, Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said.

Shavendra responds to Ranil’s criticism

Responding to former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe over his remarks on Presidential Task Force on Prevention of COVID-19, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that the decisions taken by the Task Force are collective decisions and not individual decisions.

Religious gathering in Batti: All devotees to undergo 14 days quarantine

The Police are presently identifying all devotees who attended a Hindu religious gathering in Batticaloa yesterday, ignoring health guidelines amidst a deadly spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reopening schools first week of Sept. doubtful: Edu Minister

With the current swell in pandemic situation in the country, it is suspicious to reopen schools by the first week of September, Education Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said.

Man falls to his death while taking selfie in Jaffna

A 31-year-old man died after falling from the Pannai bridge on the Thiwangal road in Jaffna while attempting to take a selfie, the Jaffna police said.

Saudi Arabia to reopen borders for vaccinated pilgrims to visit Mecca

Saudi Arabia will begin accepting vaccinated foreign pilgrims seeking to visit the Islamic holy city of Mecca, state media reported Sunday, around 18 months after a border closure prompted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Colombo recorded highest positive cases yesterday: NOCPCO

After marking the number of daily COVID-19 cases as high as 2,961 yesterday, the Colombo District recorded the highest number of positive cases that stood at 852, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Amaraweera tells CEA to submit report on all unauthorized constructions in Gannoruwa

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to submit a report on all unauthorized construction in the Gannoruwa area in Kandy and within the boundaries of the Mahaweli River in the Kandy city suburbs.

Teachers, Principals must be notified about today’s cabinet decision: Joseph Stalin

The Teachers and Principals Unions today said that they will continue with their trade union action, if they do not receive solutions to their demands following today’s cabinet meeting, Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Workplace ID of people using public transport to be verified from today: Dilum

The checking of official workplace identity cards of people using public transport will commence from today, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Covid patients sans complications treated at home from today

Treatment for COVID infected people who do not have complications will be given at home from today (9), the health ministry said.

100,000 vials of Pfizer vaccines arrive

A consignment of 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine vials have been flown in to the country from the United States of America and freighted by Qatar Airways, the airport duty manager said.

Four including airman, sailor arrested for stealing explosive material

Four suspects including two members of Sri Lanka Air Force and the Navy have been arrested over the theft of explosives from the Welisara Air Force explosive storage.

20 out of 37 bodies at Kalubowila Hospital mortuary were NON-COVID-19 deaths: Minister

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said 20 out 37 bodies kept at the refrigerated cabinets of the mortuary of Kalubowila Hospital (Colombo-south Hospital) were non-

SL’s war on delta only to worsen

Sri Lanka’s war against the Delta variant which has exhausted the country’s health system and overburdened hospitals is still in its formative stages and is only expected to worsen in the coming three weeks, doctors have warned.

Ragama begins cremating 42 bodies Court order to be sought on another 40 remains

The authorities in Ragama have begun cremating the bodies of 42 people who died from the coronavirus. The bodies were piled up at the Ragama Teaching Hospital morgue.

PTA cases filed or pending 2016 to be concluded this year: justice Minister

The cases, pending or filed before 2016 under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), will be concluded before the end of this year, Justice Minister Ali Sabry said.

Probe underway into religious gathering in Batti

A probe is underway after a Hindu religious gathering was held in a temple in Batticaloa today after pictures of the commemoration circulated online sparking anger as to why it was held amidst a rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic.

30% of Covid-19 victims in Colombo infected with Delta variant

Around 30 percent of the reported COVID 19 patients within Colombo City have been infected with the Delta variant, Chief Medical Officer Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said today.

Successful Liver Transplant surgery performed at J’Pura Hospital

A medical team has performed a successful Liver Transplant surgery for the first time in the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, its Director Dr. Rathnasiri A. Hewage said.

Ranil calls for dissolution of Covid-19 taskforce

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for the dissolution of the COVID 19 taskforce and assign decision making powers to institutions which are constitutionally empowered to handle them.

94 more die of COVID-19

A total of 94 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (07) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 5,111.

3-day vaccination drive for unvaccinated people over 60 in WP

People over 60 years of age and those with cronic illnesses in the Western Province who have not received the first dose of the Covid vaccine will be vaccinated for three days beginning next Tuesday (10), the Government Information Department said.

Environment Ministry instructs CEA to mark protected boundaries of all rivers

The Environment Ministry has instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to mark the protected boundaries of all the rivers as a measure to protect them from environmental pollution associated with river water and dumping of pollutants into the surrounding environment.

2,563 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 2,563 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 293,357, the Health Ministry said.

First contacts should get tested 3-5 days after exposure: Expert

The close contacts of COVID-19 patients should get themselves tested 3-5 days after exposure whereas earlier recommendation was 5-7 days, a local medical expert said.

Gems including star sapphire cluster vye for auction in China: Lohan

A large number of gemstones including the world’s largest star sapphire cluster found recently from the Pelmadulla area in Ratnapura will be put up for auction in Shanghai, China, Gems and Jewellery State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said.

Large indoor gatherings must be stopped: Medical experts

The Medical experts have highlighted the importance of prohibiting large indoor gatherings in order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.

CBK refutes reports her son Vimukthi entering politics

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga refuted media reports that her son Vimukthi was planning to enter into active politics.

Administering booster shots on fully vaccinated people discussed

Giving a Covid-19 vaccine booster shot for fully vaccinated people was discussed with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Task Force on Prevention of COVID-19, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.