As health crisis unfolds, non-severe COVID-19 patients told to stay home

As a severe health crisis unfolds in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry yesterday said that those who had tested positive for COVID-19 but were showing non severe symptoms should stay home and seek treatment.

MP Gevidu Cumaratunga urges teachers to care for public health first

Government MP Gevidu Cumaratunga who spearheads the civil society movement called ‘Yuthukama organization’ urged teachers who are on trade union action to be mindful of the challenging pandemic situation of the country and refrain from mass demonstrations in the greater good of public health.

Issuing passports limited after several staffers test COVID-19 positive

Issuing passports under the normal service has been temporarily suspended after several staff members of the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head office in Battaramulla have tested positive for COVID-19.

75% of Delta variant cases detected in last week of July from Colombo

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been found to be spreading ultrafast in the Colombo area, medical experts pointed out.

Travel restrictions only solution to contain COVID: SLMA

The imposition of travel restrictions would be the only solution to contain COVID-19 in short term, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said.

94 COVID-19 deaths reported: Death toll surges to 4,821

A total of 94 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (04) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 4,821.

SC suspends the operation of Deradicalization Regulations

The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalization from holding violent extremist religious ideology) Regulations No. 01 of 2021, which was published by way of a gazette notification on 12 March, 2021.

Decision to ban chemical fertilizers remains unchanged: Govt.

The government’s policy to ban the use of chemical fertilizers remains unchanged, Lalith Weeratunga, Principal Advisor to the President stressed.

Special mechanism on recalling public servants for duty: Jayasumana

Special mechanism would be introduced to recalling of pregnant mothers and public servants for duty, State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Channa Jayasumana said today.

Programme to formulate basic guidelines on proper disposal of face masks: Environment Ministry

A programme will be formulated with a series of guidelines for the proper disposal of face masks used to protect against Covid-19, the Environment Ministry said.

New guidelines, instructions in the offing to restrict pregnant mothers recalling for duty: Pavithra

Steps were eing taken to issue a set of new guidelines and instructions to restrict pregnant mothers being recalled for duty, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today.

WHO calls for halting COVID-19 vaccine boosters in favor of unvaccinated

The World Health Organization is calling for a halt on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September, its head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday, as the gap between vaccinations in wealthy and poor countries widens.

Petition against Rambewa PS Chairman: Counsel alleges Governor disregarded inquiry report

It was revealed in Court of Appeal that the Governor of North Central Province has reinstated the Chairman of Rambewa Pradeshiya Sabha, disregarding an inquiry report compiled by a retired High Court Judge, in which the Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman found guilty for 14 charges out of 15.

Energy Ministry maps hydrocarbon blocks for exploration and development

The Energy Ministry has announced the map of blocks of hydrocarbon exploration in the offshore.

Tragic murder of a mother of two children by paramour in Dikoya: CA affirms death sentence

The Court of Appeal has affirmed the death sentence imposed by Nuwara Eliya High Court on an accused for committing the murder of a mother of two children in Dikoya, Nuwara Eliya in 2009.

Mechanism should be introduced to regulate or ban social media like in China: Nimal Siripala

A mechanism should be introduced to regulate or ban social media claiming that they have been the major cause for child abuses, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said.

Police prevents Sajith Premadasa from visiting arrested teachers

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Nalin Bandara who arrived at the Port Police to inquire about the teachers who were arrested for staging a protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, were prevented by Police today from entering the premises.

21,344 COVID cases, 591 deaths reported within 10 days: Pavithra

Some 21,344 COVID-19 cases and 591 COVID related deaths were reported during the last ten days, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi informed Parliament today.

Vaccination of prison inmates commences

Vaccination of prison inmates against the Covid-19 virus, commenced from today, the Prison’s Department said.

State Minister Roshan Ranasinghe purchased my air ticket: Namal

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said today it was State Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, who purchased him his air ticket to travel to Japan to witness the Olympic games.

Authorities falter on accountability in ‘Navy 11’ case: Amnesty International

The Sri Lankan Attorney General’s Department must explain the reasons for its decision not to proceed with charges against former Navy commander Wasantha Karannagoda in connection with the abduction 11 youth and the case was an opportunity for the Sri Lankan authorities to deliver justice for crimes under international law, the Amnesty International said.

Arrested protesters including 38 teachers test negative for Covid-19

Rapid Antigen tests have confirmed that the 44 people including 38 teachers arrested during the teacher-principal protest in front of the Presidential Secretariat yesterday were not infected with COVID-19.

73 percent of those positive in Colombo are unvaccinated: Rosy

Nearly 73 percent of those who become COVID positive in the Colombo city are unvaccinated while 50 percent of them are below 29 years, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake said yesterday.

Govt. readies to import Oxygen supplies to brace for worsening situation

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana yesterday admitted that a health crisis was unfolding in Sri Lanka and added there was the possibility of Covid-19 cases doubling or trebling in a couple of weeks.

Two major hospitals declare emergency

Following the Daily Mirror’s repeated extensive coverage, quoting health officials who have warned that the country is heading towards a medical tsunami from a Delta wave, two major hospitals yesterday declared emergency due to an overflow of COVID-19 infected patients.

Heated argument over Rishad in Parliament

Heated argument flared up in Parliament yesterday in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over former Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.

82 COVID-19 deaths reported: Death toll surges to 4,727

A total of 82 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (03) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 4,727.

Captain of Lankan-flagged vessel fined $167,000 by Seychellois Court for illegal fishing

The captain of a Sri Lankan-flagged vessel intercepted in the waters of Seychelles has been fined SCR2.5 million, or $167,000, after he was found guilty of fishing without a foreign fishing vessel licence, the Seychelles Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday.

No permission granted to import chemical fertilizer: PMD

The government has not granted permission to import chemical fertilizers for local agricultural purposes and has not made any changes to the decision taken by the President to use only organic fertilizers for local agriculture and will not make any changes to this decision in the future as well, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said today.

Police says inter provincial travel ban not lifted

While asserting that the inter provincial travel restrictions was not lifted for usual services, only public servants, employees who have been called up for employment in private companies and those who are engaged in essential services will be allowed to cross the provincial borders, police said.