SL’s health system exhausted as Delta goes out of control

Sri Lanka’s health system has been exhausted as almost all hospitals have run out of beds to treat the rising number of patients infected with the Delta variant of the COVID-19, the Daily Mirror learns.

Govt. to sign agreement with rice mill owners

The government is to sign an agreement with all rice mill owners within the next two weeks, Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage said yesterday.

Govt. purposely refraining from conducting PCR tests: Rathnapriya

National Trade Union Front Chairman Saman Rathnapriya yesterday alleged that the Government was purposely refraining from conducting PCR tests where the number of PCR tests had reduced by 50 percent when compared to the number of PCR tests conducted in February.

Colombo MC residents to get Astrazeneca second jab next week

Residents of the Colombo Municipal Council limits will get their Astrazeneca second dose next week, Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake said yesterday.

Committee to analyze environmental damage caused by furnace fuel dumped by ships: Amaraweera

A committee will be appointed to look into the environmental damage caused by the furnace oil dumped by ships docking at Sri Lankan ports, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Limited inter-provincial buses, trains from August 1: Dilum

The COVID committee granted approval to operate a limited number of buses and trains among provinces from August 1, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

COVID-19 death toll exceeds 4,000

A total of 43 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (22) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 4,002.

STF raid slaughterhouse in Pulathisipura

Seven persons have been arrested for operating an illegal slaughterhouse at Tambala in Pulathisipura by the STF along with 68 cattle.

SL in further trouble as more Delta variant cases reported from 14 areas

Sri Lanka has recorded 30 more fresh cases of the Delta variant in 14 areas in the country, the Health Ministry said.

Actress Anusha Damayanthi lodges complaint with CID

Actress Anusha Damayanthi today lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over an insult aimed at her on a social media platform.

Nothing harmful in Moderna vaccine, Health Ministry guarantees

Referring to reports being circulated on social media with regard to the Moderna jab, the Health Ministry today urged people not to be afraid of getting the Moderna as it contains no enzymes that are harmful to human body.

’X-Press Pearl’ disaster: Govt. agencies failed, environmentalists charge

The Government and its agencies like Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and National Aquatic Resources Research, Development Agency (NARA) and other local bodies have failed in addressing the environmental damage and damage to livelihood of fishermen caused due to the inferno in the X-Press Pearl vessel recently, environmental activists claimed.

Eran Wickramaratne challenges constitutionality of the Finance Bill in SC

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne has filed a Special Determination petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the bill titled “Finance” which was placed on the order paper of Parliament on July 20.

Senadhipathi turned away from entering Presidential Secretariat

Avant Garde Chairman, Nissanka Senadhipathi was prevented from entering the Presidential Secretariat yesterday by a group of protestors who were staging a protest outside.

Viral load 1,000 times higher in people infected with Delta variant

People infected with the Delta variant of novel coronavirus produce a lot more virus particles than those infected with the original version of coronavirus, thereby making their infection very easy to spread, according to a study.

Death of girl:  Bathiudeen’s in-laws in hot soup as wife, father-in-law, brother-in-law arrested

Three persons including the wife and father-in-law of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen have been arrested in connection with the death of a 16-year old domestic aide at the former minister’s house, police said.

Electric fence and trapping of elephants have failed: COPA report

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has observed that the policy of constructing electric fences and trapping elephants had been a failure.

Cobra causes panic inside Accident Ward at NHC

The sudden appearance of a cobra inside the Accident Ward of the Colombo National Hospital made all staff and patients jump in surprise and fear today.

Sri Lanka confident of attracting major investments into Port City

China Harbour Company Group Chairman Tang Qiaoliang told Sri Lankan Ambassador Dr.Palitha Kohona that he was confident of attracting major financial sector investments to the Colombo port city .

Rishad committed grave offence by employing underage girl as domestic aide: JVP

Expressing dismay over the sluggish investigations into the death of a teenage girl at former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s residence, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said Mr. Bathiudeen had committed a grave offence by employing an underage girl as domestic aide.

PHIs to be strict on weddings; legal action against guideline violators

The Public Health Inspectors have decided to strictly inspect wedding ceremonies and to take legal action against those who violate health guidelines.

People who take up overseas jobs to be vaccinated

A special arrangement has been made to provide COVID-19 vaccines for those who are aspiring to go abroad for employment with a valid visa, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Death at Rishad’s house: AG appoints team comprising DSG to provide legal advice

The Attorney General has appointed a team comprising Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris to provide legal advice regarding police inquiries into the death of the girl who was working at the house of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, Attorney General’s Department sources said.

Defrauding a Sri Lankan living in Australia of Australian $ 180,500: Convicted lawyer released on bail

A lawyer, who has been jailed for 3 years by the High Court of Colombo, was granted bail pending appeal by the Appeal Courts.

Army Chief warns of emerging ‘wedding cluster’

There is a possibility of an emerging ’wedding cluster’ if the public does not adhere to health guidelines when hosting weddings, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva warned.

Probe began over fake news on Moderna vaccination in Kandy

A special investigation has been launched by the Kandy Police with the assistance of the CID to find those who are spreading false news about the Moderna vaccine on social media.

Hirunuka claims her phone number misused for social media websites

Former MP Hirunuka Premachandra today revealed that her phone number had been used by some group of men who run a false website and carry out various misdeeds using pictures of pretty girls which they download from Facebook.

U.S. cites SL a challenging place for businesses

The U. S. Department of States, in its 2021 Investment Climate Statement, identifies Sri Lanka as a challenging place to do business, with high transaction costs aggravated by an unpredictable economic policy environment, inefficient delivery of government services, and opaque government procurement practices.

U.S. donates 500,000 RDTs to Sri Lanka for early COVID-19 detection

The United States donated 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) as part of its commitment to support Sri Lanka’s fight against COVID-19.

PM to undertake first visit to Jaffna under SLPP govt.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will undertake a two-day visit to Jaffna on July 31 and August 1, his first visit since the Podujana government was sworn into power last year, Coordinating Secretary and Government’s Special Resettlement Facilitator to the North and East, Geethanath Kassilingham said.