Navy Chief inspects work on COVID centre construction

Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today inspected the COVID-19 centre, which is being built in Werellawatta, Gampaha. The new centre could accommodate about 1000 COVID patients. The Navy Commander said they would be able to handover the centre to the health sector in about a couple of weeks. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Another vaccination drive in Gampaha

COVID-19 vaccination drive which was conducted by MOH Gampaha and Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha held successfully yesterday at Gampaha Pahala Imbulgoda Sri Wijayawardena Sri Maha Vihara, despite adverse weather conditions and travel restrictions. Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya

Navy assist COVID-19 inoculation drive

On the sidelines of the vaccination drive set about to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka Navy in collaboration with the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone (EPZ) carried out another inoculation drive to administer ‘Sinopharm’ vaccination to employees of EPZ today.

Troops in relief operation

Troops provided relief to the people affected by the floods in various parts of the country.

Air Force Chief visits Mulleriyawa Base Hospital site

Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana made a visit to the construction site which is under way at the Mulleriyawa Base Hospital to treat patients who are on the recovery path from COVID-19. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Inoculation of Sinopharm vaccine underway

Inoculation of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine took place at the Castle Street Hospital for Women today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Deserted due to COVID-19 restrictions

Roads in the Colombo City, Kottawa and Gampaha area are seen deserted due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the authorities to prevent the spread of the virus. Road blocks have also been set up in several locations to check people moving on the roads. Pix by Nisal Baduge, Pradeep Dilrukshana and Kushan Pathiraja

Floods due to overflowing of Kelaniya river

People living downstream on the Kelaniya river bank experienced minor floods due to the overflowing of the river following torrential showers. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Rescued

Troops rescued 13 persons belonging to four families who were trapped in the flood waters caused by the overflowing Kuda Oya in the Mainnoluwa area in Ruwanwella this morning (14).

Eid celebrated indoors

Muslims who usually go to the mosques for special prayers during Eid festival, offered their prayers at their houses because of travel restrictions imposed to arrest the COVID outbreak. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Getting ready for Ramazan

Muslims in Colombo are seen enthusiastically preparing for Friday’s Ramazan Festival. The celebration is slated to be on a low key this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pix By Pradeep Dilrukshana

Colombo Eye Hospital disinfected

Red Cross Society Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Western Province Senior DIG office disinfected the Colombo Eye Hospital today as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of COVID-19. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Residents in Pannipitiya vaccinated

Sinopharm vaccine was given to residents in the Pannipitiya area at the Vidyadana Maha Vidyalaya. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Stop!

Road blocks have been set up in entry/exit points of the Western Province. Pictures show a road block near the Thoppuwa Junction in Kochchikade. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Travel restriction

An islandwide travel restriction will come into effect from 11 pm tonight which will be in effect till 4 am on Monday to prevent people from leaving their homes as the new coronavirus spreads at a rapid pace across all the districts, overburdening the health sector.

It happened here

Notorious organized criminal Dharmakeerthi Tharaka Perera Wijesekera alias ’Kosgoda Tharaka’, who was in police custody, died after a shooting incident involving with the police during an operation.

New hospital for COVID patients

A new hospital, which was constructed at the premises of the Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa for COVID-19 patients was declared open today. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

People queuing to get Sinopharm vaccine

People are seen in queues at the New Bazzar Maternity Home in Colombo to get the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Busy shopping streets in Pettah

People were seen buying goods from the fare at the Bodhiraja Mawatha and shopping streets in Pettah. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Waruna Wanniarachchi

Guidelines on Sinopharm and Sputnik published

The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health has published comprehensive guidelines on the use of the Sinopharm and Sputnik vaccines which includes the side effects one can experience. (EASWARAN RUTNAM)

Sinopharm vaccine for residents in Dehiwala, Wijerama

Residents in Dehiwala and Wijerama were vaccinated with the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Vaccination programe

More than 40 vaccination centres have been established in the Western Province to provide the first dose of China’s Sinopharm vaccine, health authorities said.

Namal visits bed assembling factory in Kolonnawa

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa is seen inspecting the assembling of hospital beds for COVID patients at a state-owned factory in Kolonnawa. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Administering Sinopharm Vaccine

The Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine rollout began for people living in the Minuwangoda area. The vaccination got underway at Nalandarama temple in Minuwangoda today. More than 40 vaccination centres have been established in the Western Province to provide the first dose of China’s Sinopharm vaccine. Accordingly, the first dose of the vaccine is being given to individuals between the ages of 30 and 59. Pix By Pradeep Pathirana.

Special Waterborne Operations Squadron unveiled

The Special Waterborne Operations Squadron comprising 16 officers of the Special Task Force of Police (STF) was established yesterday in order to thwart illegal sand mining, deforestation, smuggling and other crimes across the country.

Educating people to wear facemasks

The Mulleriyawa police today initiated an awareness programme within the Mulleriyawa police jurisdiction to educate the people who use public transport, working in shops and visit shopping outlets on the importance of wearing facemasks. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Kolonnawa residents get Sputnik-V jab

Pictures show the residents of the Kolonnawa area are being jabbed with the Russia-made Sputnik V vaccine at the Sri Piyadassinaramaya in Kolonnawa. Around 1,000 individuals were given the vaccine. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

600 families in Yakkala area vaccinated with Sinopharm

A total of 600 families of four Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Yakkala area were vaccinated with China’s Sinopharm vaccine yesterday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Sinopharm vaccination begins

Administering the Sinopharm vaccine for local nationals has begun today, soon after the World Health Organization (WHO) approved it for emergency use worldwide. The vaccination started at the Sithumina Reception Hall in Kirulapana targeting 300 individuals. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Army Chief supervises largest COVID-19 Hospital

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva together with several Senior Officers undertook an inspection tour yesterday in order to find whether the country’s biggest Army-improvised COVID-19 Hospital in Seeduwa, now receiving final touches needs any more fine-tuning.