Twenty more die of COVID-19

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 941 with twenty more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services, the Government Information Department said.

AstraZeneca vaccines for second dose will be received within 14 days

In a message to citizens of Colombo, Mayor Rosy Senanayake today said the state procurement system had managed to source and procure an adequate stock of AstraZeneca vaccines for the second dose, which will be received within the next 14 days.

Gampaha Town inundated

Gampaha Town and several adjacent villages were seen inundated due to torrential rains. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Daily count of COVID-19 cases increases to 2,371

A total of 585 more COVID-19 patients have been detected increasing the daily count of COVID-19 cases to 2,371, the Government Information Department said.

Israeli airstrike destroys Gaza building that houses media outlets

An Israeli airstrike destroyed a high-rise building in Gaza City that housed offices of The Associated Press and other media outlets on Friday, the latest step by the military to silence reporting from the territory amid its battle with the militant group Hamas.

Lorry carrying oxygen cylinders wades through floodwater

A lorry carrying oxygen cylinders seen in the picture being manoeuvred through floodwater in Malwana, Biyagama, on its way to a hospital. Several areas in the country were inundated by floods due to incessant showers. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

1,786 fresh COVID-19 cases detected so far today

A total of 1,786 more COVID-19 patients have been detected so far today increasing the number of patients reported in Sri Lanka to 139,871, the Government Information Department said.

1,352 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 1,352 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 117,220, the Health Ministry said.

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

Over 150,000 consumers affected due to adverse weather: CEB

Some 150,000 consumers have been affected by power breakdowns due to the adverse weather condition prevailing in the country, Power and Energy Development Director and Media Spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardena said.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients to be monitored at homes

Necessary arrangements have been made to monitor and treat asymptomatic COVID19 patients at their homes from Monday (17), Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control State Minister Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle said.

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

Unable to bring perpetrators before law with incomplete probe: AG

Attorney General Dappula de Livera today told the public that he is not in a position to present charges or indictments against the conspirators and abettors of the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks during his tenure of office, as the CID investigations into that are incomplete, AG’s Coordinating Officer said.

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.

AG says probes against 5 suspects over Easter attacks incomplete

Attorney General Dappula De Livera has informed the IGP that investigations against five suspects in connection with the Easter Sunday Bomb Attacks are incomplete.

Over 73,000 vaccinated on Friday; 59 vaccination centres open today

A total of 73,267 Sri Lankans received COVID-19 vaccine yesterday alone, the Epidemiology Unit said.

Miss Universe alludes to Mrs. Sri Lanka crown-snatching incident

Miss Universe 2019 Zozibini Tunzi joked that the next Miss Universe will literally have to snatch her crown after reigning longer than other titlists in the pageant’s history due to the pandemic.

Troops in relief operation

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

11,542 people affected with three deaths: DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that around 11,542 people from 2,750 families were affected due to adverse weather conditions experienced in the Sabaragamuwa, Western, Northwestern and from Southern provinces.

Sri Lankan’s death in detention in spotlight as Japan debates immigration bill

The death of a Sri Lankan woman detained at a central Japan immigration facility has been in the spotlight as parliament debates a controversial bill to revise the immigration law that is feared will worsen conditions for asylum seekers in Japan.

China lands its Zhurong rover on Mars

China has successfully landed a spacecraft on Mars, state media announced early on Saturday. The six-wheeled Zhurong robot was targeting Utopia Planitia, a vast terrain in the planet’s northern hemisphere.

Lawyers for Democracy says killings of two suspects ‘plain murder’

Lawyers for Democracy (LFD) yesterday condemned the killing of two suspects who were in police custody in two consecutive days and claimed it was plain murders.

Former PM urges Govt. to prioritise saving lives of people

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the government to give priority to save lives from COVID-19 and from the new disease Black Fungus which is also spreading in India currently.

COVID-19 death toll crosses 900

The COVID-19 death toll in the country surpassed the 900 mark with 31 more fatalities being reported today, the Government Information Department said.

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

Another pregnant mother dies of COVID-19

A 28-year-old pregnant mother had succumbed to COVID-19 infection after a Cesarean delivery at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

Three fall to death from third floor roof in Galle

Three individuals including a 6-year-old child had died after a roofing sheet gave way while they were flying kites on top of the roof of a three-story house in Makuluwa in Galle this evening.

Vaccination drive to be extended to three more districts

The vaccination drive which is currently underway in the Western Province would be extended to three more districts such as Kandy, Kurunegala and Ratnapura, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today.

1,306 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 1,306 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 110,108, the Health Ministry said.

COVID-19: Information centre set up to obtain details on infected inmates

An Information Centre has been established in the Prison Headquarters for the relatives to obtain details on the inmates who have been infected with COVID-19, the Prisons Department said.