Appoint National Disaster Management Council: SJB urges Govt.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday urged the government to appoint a national disaster management council and convene it to decide what steps should be taken to arrest the prevailing pandemic situation.

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

Govt. approval to provide financial assistance to curb COVID: Amaraweera

The Cabinet has approved the necessary financial provisions to provide all necessary needs to the health sector to control COVID epidemic, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

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

Navy thwarts illegal immigration attempt; 30 men arrested in Chilaw

Thirty persons have been arrested when they attempted migrate to a foreign country illegally by sea during special operation carried out by Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard in Samindugama.

6.7 magnitude earthquake; No Tsunami threat to SL: DMC

The Disaster Management Center today said that there is no Tsunami threat to the country due to 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off west coast of Northern Sumathra

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).

Avissawella bypass road impassable due to landslide: DMC

The bypass road in Avissawella is blocked due to a landslide, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director for Early Warning Pradeep Kodippili said.

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

Man drowns in Gin Ganga, 2 injured in landslide due to adverse weather: DMC

Death of a 32-year-old man was reported due to drowning in Gin Ganga and two persons sustained injuries after being buried in a landslide at Gasnewa in Kegalle, DMC Deputy Director for Early Warning Pradeep Kodippili said.

No trains until Monday: Railways Dept.

All train services have been suspended until Monday due to the islandwide travel restrictions, the Railways Department said.

Suspect arrested in Mutur over Easter Sunday attack

A 38-year-old person was arrested in Mutur yesterday on the offense of organising classes of extremism in Mutur area in December 2018 before the Easter Sunday attack.

Herd of 18 Indian elephants die when forest struck by lightning

A herd of 18 wild elephants have been found dead in Nagaon, in the north-east Indian state of Assam. State officials say that the elephants were killed when lightning struck the Kandoli protected forest reserve.

24 more die of COVID-19: Death toll climbs to 892

Twenty four more COVID-19 related deaths were reported yesterday taking the death toll in the country to 892, the Government Information Department said.

Spill gates of several reservoirs opened

Spill gates of the Canyon, Norton, Udawalawa and Kukule Ganga reservoirs had been opened this morning due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Central Province, DMC Deputy Director for Early Warning Pradeep Kodippili said.

Surge of COVID-19 cases will continue for another couple of weeks: Dr Herath

The surge of COVID-19 cases will continue at least for another couple of weeks, an official said. Deputy Director-general of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told Daily Mirror any downward trend could be expected only afterwards.

No reason to fear shortage of vaccines: Army Commander

Stating that there is no reason to fear a shortage of vaccines, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva today said that each and every eligible individual would receive the Covid-19 vaccine at the right time.

2,249 fresh COVID-19 cases detected today

A total of 2,249 more COVID-19 patients have been detected today increasing the total number of positive cases reported in Sri Lanka to 135,796,the Government Information Department said.

Do not venture into Southeast Arabian sea from tomorrow: Met Dept.

Naval and fishing communities have been advised not to venture into the Southeast Arabian sea area from tomorrow (14) until further notice, Meteorology Department said.

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

Amaraweera turns down MNC’s request to produce 24 gsm sachets

As per the gazette notification issued by the government, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday turned down a request made by a multi-national company to permit manufacturing of 24 gsm sachets.

Apparel industries allowed to function with travel restrictions: Army chief

Although the travel restrictions will be in place, permission has been granted for the Apparel industry to function adhering to COVID health guidelines, Army Commander and Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19, General Shavendra Silva said.

Landslide warnings issued for six districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) today issued landslide warnings for Rathnapura, Matara, Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle and Colombo districts.

People over 60 to receive Sinopharm jab if no health complications

The Government has planned to administer the first dose of Sinopharm vaccine as shield for COVID for people above 60 years of age, if they do not have health complications.

Fmr Additional AG Lalith Ambanwala passes away

Former Additional Auditor General Lalith Ambanwala has passed away at his residence in Kandy today.

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

Beware of scammers enticing public with cash, gifts: TRCSL

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) warned the public to be vigilant when they receive scam messages claiming they have won prizes both in cash and in gifts and there is an alarming increase in such activities.

Water levels in several rivers rising; flood warning issued

The Irrigation Department has issued flood warning on several areas following the heavy rains.

Residents in Pannipitiya vaccinated

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

NTMI to resume services from May 17

The services provided by the National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) will resume from May 17, NTMI chairman Dr. Savindra Gamage said.