AG’S statement could delay action being taken against perpetrators: SJB

Investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks and taking action against the mastermind behind could be pushed to the back seat because of the statement made by the Attorney General, an SJB MP said yesterday.

Colombo air quality improves

The air quality in Colombo saw a sharp improvement in May, especially during the extended weekend.

Cyclonic Storm Tauktae expected to bring gusty winds in all provinces: DMC

Cyclonic Storm Tauktae, which has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm is expected to bring gusty winds in all provinces during the coming weeks, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) which quoted the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

21 more succumb to COVID-19

A total 21 more COVID-19 related deaths were reported today taking the death toll to 962, the Government Information Department said.

Nasheed recovering in Berlin

The family members of Maldives Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed have released photographs on twitter of him soon after the recent bomb attacks and now recovering in Berlin.

COVID vaccination drive to continue at 8 centres in Colombo tomorrow

The COVID-19 vaccination drive will continue tomorrow (17) at eight centres in the Colombo District, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Vaccination drive in Ragama

Ragama residents received the Sinopharm vaccine at the Rathnathsri Ganarama Pothgul Temple in Batuwatta today. The jabs were given with the support of area Medical Officers of Health. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Daily count of COVID-19 cases increases to 2,212

A total of 480 more COVID-19 patients have been detected increasing the daily count of COVID-19 cases to 2,212, the Government Information Department said.

Alert over risk of website hacking on May 18: CERT|CC

The Computer Emergency Readiness Team/Co-ordination Centre (CERT|CC) requests all the Government Agencies maintaining websites and web-based public applications to be alert over the risk of websites being hacked by extremist activist groups.

With no hope left....

Farmers were seen at the Peliyagoda Manning Market with their stocks of vegetables and fruits piled up, as there were no wholesale vendors to give them relief. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

1,732 fresh COVID-19 cases detected so far today

A total of 1,732 more COVID-19 patients have been detected so far today, the Government Information Department said.

Do not reply to unknown WhatsApp messages: TRCSL

While issuing a scam alert, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) requested the public not to reply to the messages received from unknown contacts.

Do not receive vaccine if feel COVID-19 symptoms, says Epidemiology Chief

If someone has COVID-19 symptoms, he/she should not get vaccinated, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Prioritize vaccinating Buddhist clergy: Ven. Dhammananda Thera

Chief Lekakadikari of the Asgiri Chapter, Ven. Dr. Medagama Dhammananda Thera today requested to provide COVID vaccine under special priority for Buddhist monks as they regularly engage in social and religious matters.

Failure in Govt mechanism allowed all COVID variants sans Brazilian to enter SL: JVP

All the COVID-19 variants, except for the Brazilian variant had entered Sri Lanka due to the failure in the Government’s COVID prevention mechanism and arbitrary actions of the government not heeding to advice of the doctors and specialists on prevention of the pandemic, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) charged today.

Gampaha dist. will face critical situation within next two weeks: GMOA

An unexpected critical situation will be created in the Gampaha district with the increase of COVID infected cases in the area within the next two weeks, the Government Medical officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

GMOA requests public to curtail travels until end of Vesak

While thanking the public for reducing their movements drastically for three days, the Government Medical officers’ Association (GMOA) today requested them again to honour the travel restriction for another ten days; until the end of the Vesak celebrations.

Special long-distance trains for govt, private sector employees from Monday

The Railways Department has decided to operate trains according to the schedule implemented on last Thursday (13), Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

Bathiudeen allowed to attend Parliament sittings next week

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene has ruled to allow MP Rishad Bathiudeen to attend parliament sittings next week if he wishes so, Parliament sources said.

Affluent people invited to donate medical equipment to hospitals as need looms

Primary Health Care and Epidemics and COVID Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle appealed to affluent people in the country to join hands with the Health Ministry and to donate necessary medical equipment to the hospitals as the need for such medical equipment is desperately rising.

Despite assurance of securing Astra Zeneca in two weeks, no breakthrough yet

Despite an assurance by the Mayor of Colombo, Rosy Senanayake yesterday of receiving the Astra Zeneca doses in less than two weeks, to vaccinate over 600,000 people with the second doses, the Daily Mirror learns that the government is yet to make a breakthrough in securing the jabs as no official confirmation had been received by the negotiating parties.

Seven arrested for partying violating quarantine laws

Seven suspects, including two women have been arrested by the Western Province South Crimes Division for organising a party which is on contrary to quarantine laws.

Overseas tourists allowed to travel among provinces: SLTDA

Tourists visiting Sri Lanka from overseas will be able to travel under the ‘Bio Bubble’ system, according to health guidelines, Director General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Dhammika Wijesinghe said.

AG’s claim on Easter Sunday probe: Minister calls for report from CID

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said that he has spoken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to submit a report with regard to the claims made by Attorney General Dappula de Livera that action could not be taken against conspirators and abettors of the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks as the CID investigations are incomplete.

Israel Gaza conflict: PM vows to continue strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to ’’continue to respond forcefully’’ to rocket attacks as conflict with Palestinians in Gaza enters a seventh day.

Five including ‘Lunawe Batti’ arrested in brothel in Moratuwa

Two men and three women including ‘ Lunawe Batti’ have been arrested for operating a brothel under the guise of running a motel that provides temporary rooms in Moratuwa early this morning.

All Lankans residing in Israel asked to be vigilant: Embassy

All Sri Lankans residing and working in Israel have been advised to be vigilant and to avoid large gatherings and unnecessary travelling considering the growing tensions due to the riots and clashes between Israel and Palestine in the Gaza Strip, Sri Lankan embassy in Tel Aviv announced.

Kandy reaches highest COVID cases yesterday: NOCPCO

The country having witnessed 2,386 COVID-19 cases yesterday, Kandy District recorded the highest number of positive cases of 338, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Udawalawa reservoir reaches spill level, one sluice gate partially opened: DMC

One-foot of the sluice gate of the Udawalawa reservoir was opened this morning after the water level had reached spill level due to the heavy rains yesterday, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director for Early Warning Pradeep Kodippili said.

Don’t take chance during travel restrictions....

People in the Gampaha area are subject to stringent checking during the island-wide travel restriction in force. People, who were found loitering during lockdown were sent back. Only those who were on essential services allowed to travel. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Waruna Wanniarachchi