Will update on second jabs of AZ, 3rd week of July - Colombo Mayor

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake, today said that all those who fall under the category of 55-69 years of age, and who had been vaccinated at a CMC center with AstraZeneca as their first dose, were requested to wait till 3rd week of July to receive an update on their second jabs.

Prison guard caught with 96 packets of heroin at Mahara Prison

A prison guard at the Mahara Prison was arrested with 96 packs of heroin during a search at the prison entrance.

COVID vaccines for teachers from tomorrow: Minister

The programme to administer vaccines to shield against COVID-19 for all teachers in the country will commence from tomorrow (12), Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said.

Two views on conducting A/L exam in October: Minister

There are two views regarding the dates of the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination and a flexible and more practical decision should be taken following technical advice, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said.

SLMA defends move to allow armed Forces to vaccinate people

At a backdrop where the Government Medical Officers Association has criticised the move to allow armed Forces to vaccinate people, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said there was no issue in allowing military personnel to inoculate people.

Cardiologist, three others released on bail over sexual exploitation of minor

Four suspects including the cardiologist attached to Welisara Navy Camp and Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman who were arrested for the alleged exploitation of a 15-year-old girl were today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Recall protesters sent for quarantine: Anura tells Govt.

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today called on the Government to recall the protesters who were arrested and forcibly sent for quarantine in various parts of the country, claiming it was totally against the law and human rights.

People in Mannar & Vavuniya districts to get remaining Pfizer vaccines: Prez

While stating that there is a comprehensive mechanism to vaccinate a majority of the population against the COVID-19 virus before September, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said plans have been made to administer the Pfizer vaccine doses to the people in Mannar and Vavuniya Districts.

Dismantling protestors using quarantine laws challenged in court by SJB

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today filed three Fundamental Rights petitions in the Supreme Court seeking a declaration that attempts made by police to prevent protests using quarantine regulations violate the people’s fundamental rights.

New revised health guidelines to be issued, lifting some restrictions

Director-General of Health Services will issue revised guidelines, lifting several restrictions, which need to be followed by people due to COVID-19, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Sri Lanka batting coach refused vaccination, urged for Pfizer

Sri Lanka’s batting coach Grant Flower who tested positive for Covid-19 had refused to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 unless he received the Pfizer vaccine, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

Protesters sent for quarantine not by police but on advice of PHI: Minister

The protesters, arrested for violating quarantine regulations, were sent for quarantine not by the police but based on instructions of the Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today.

SriLankan Airlines rejects claims that its flight suffered mid-air fuel shortage

While rejecting claims that on July 6, SriLankan flight (UL504 en route from London to Colombo) had suffered a mid-air fuel shortage, SriLankan Airlines said a technical stop was planned in Trivandrum to refuel the aircraft after it had to take a longer flight path from its regular journey.

PHIs raise concern over authorities concealing data on Delta variant

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union slammed the Health Ministry for not releasing official information on the infections of the Indian variant and thereby hiding the actual situation in terms of the Delta variant spread in the country.

All types of visas for foreigners extended for another 30 days: Immigration Dept.

The validity period of all types of Visas currently obtained by foreigners in Sri Lanka has been extended up to August 8 from today, the Immigration Department said.

New gazette notification issued, several institutions given back to MR from Basil

Revised Gazette Notification has been issued on the Corporate and Legal Framework under the Ministry of Economic Policy and Plan Implementation and the Ministry of Finance

ICC CEO Manu Sawhney resigns amid inquiry over conduct

International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Manu Sawhney on Thursday resigned from his position, four months after his allegedly “abrasive conduct” came under the scanner during an internal investigation, prompting the world body to send him on leave.

Over 100mm rain forecast in many areas: Met Dept.

Several areas in the country would receive a heavy rainfall of over 100 mm in the evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said.

One GN division isolated, four divisions freed: NOCPCO

One Grama Niladhari (GN) division in Kalutara district was brought under isolation and four GN divisions in Mannar and Kegalla districts have been freed, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Two top agri officials arrested for issuing fake certificates to release dried arecanut containers

An Assistant Agriculture Director and an Agriculture Instructor had been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for issuing fake quarantine certificates to release a consignment of dried arecanut from the customs last year.

Pfizer to seek U.S. authorization for COVID booster shot

Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) plans to ask U.S. regulators to authorize a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine within the next month, the drugmaker’s top scientist said on Thursday, based on evidence of greater risk of reinfection six months after inoculation and the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Around 1,000 students to be administered with Pfizer

The government has decided to administer Pfizer vaccines to nearly 1,000 students going overseas for higher education, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

UNP condemns forced quarantine of Trade Union members

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday condemned the forced quarantine of Trade Union members who were released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate Court.“the attempt to detain these individuals is against the laws of the country as the Quarantine Act does not allow for such action,” the party said in an official statement.

Heated argument over proposed debate on CBSL annual report

Heated arguments arose in Parliament yesterday between the government and the opposition regarding who should move the proposed debate on the Central Bank annual report 2020.

Blame on arrest of protesters should go to Health DG not to police: Minister

While refusing claims that police were suppressing protests, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today protesters were arrested following health guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services and therefore, the blame should go to the Health DG not to the police.

SL’s batting coach Grant Flower diagnosed with COVID-19

A specialist batting coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket team who returned to the country after the England tour, has been diagnosed with COVID infection, a senior official of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

40 more die of COVID-19

A total of 40 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (07) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today.

Tense situation erupted outside Colombo Magistrate’s Court

A tense situation was reported outside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court when Joseph Stalin and 32 others who were released on bail refused to undergo quarantine.

Olympics to ban spectators as Tokyo declares COVID-19 emergency

Organisers are set to ban all spectators from the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Asahi newspaper said on Thursday, as Japan declared a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital that will run throughout the event.

Two State Ministry Portfolios reshuffled

Two State Ministry Portfolios of Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Mohan de Silva were reshuffled and they were sworn in their new portfolios before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this afternoon.