13 more areas isolated with immediate effect

Thirteen police areas in Colombo, Gampaha, Galle, Ratnapura, Hambantota and Kegalle districts have been isolated with immediate effect, Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva said.

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)

SL now in critical stage: PHIS warn

Number of those infected is expected to reach its peak in two weeks More PCR tests will reveal a staggering number of infections Travel restrictions between provinces will not do. We need tighter restrictions

Seven percent of PCR tests positive in first week of May

The Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Health Ministry said yesterday that seven percent of PCR tests carried out in the first week of May had returned positive.

Over 50,000 Sri Lankans inoculated with Sinopharm vaccine today

A total of 50,493 Sri Lankans were administered with the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine within today.

Wanted criminal ’Uru Juwa’ shot dead

An organized criminal known as Mambulage Dineth Melan Mambula alias ’’Uru Juwa’’ wanted over several murders and extortion was shot dead by police during an incident at Nawagamuwa, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

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

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 850 with 23 more deaths

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 850 with 23 more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services, the Government Information Department said.

Army, police to check docs when crossing provincial boundaries: Dilum

Police and Army officers will check the relevant documents and reason for crossing boundaries at every province limit from tomorrow, Community Police Services State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Six staff members of Sri Lankan HC in New Delhi test COVID-19 positive

Six staff members of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India have been tested positive for COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

GMOA requests President’s intervention to close all wine stores, help boost immunity

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said they had made a policy request from the President to close all wine stores, outlets and to motivate people not to smoke and help increase the immunity of the people.

1,225 more contract COVID-19

A total of 1,225 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 so far today increasing the total number of positive cases in the country to 129,755, the Government Information Department said. 129,755

All wine stores, liquor shops should be closed by 6.00 pm: Army Commander

All wine stores and liquor shops should be closed by 6.00 pm daily with effect from today, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Issuing vehicle revenue licences suspended in Western, Southern provinces

Considering the rapid spreading of COVID in the Western and Southern Provinces, issuing of vehicle revenue licences in the above provinces have been suspended, the Government Information Department said.

COVID Task Force should be reformed: JVP

While pointing out that political leadership and the mechanism in place to combat COVID pandemic were an utter failure, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today called for the reforming of the COVID Task Force.

1030 more Covid-19 patients discharged from Hospitals

A total of 1030 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 106,641, the Health Ministry said.

Long-distance trains halted; regional operations will continue: Railways Dept.

The Railways Department has assigned adequate train service while suspending the long distance run and continue with the inter- regional operations as usual, Deputy General Manager of the Railway Department V.S Polwattage said.

Leave of Police officers cancelled

Leave for all police officers, except for those serving in isolated areas have been canceled with immediate effect until May 31, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

SLTB opted to limit service from last night: Chairman

Following the announcement by the Government to impose Inter-provincial travel restrictions, the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) opted to limit its services from midnight yesterday, SLTB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said.

COVID outbreak: Impose constructive lockdowns; isolating GN Divisions unwise: AMS

The current practice of isolating communities at the GN division level is neither preserving economic activity nor controlling transmission of COVID, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said.

Contraband thrown into women’s section of Welikada Prison

The prison officers found eight packs containing illegal substances thrown into the women’s section of the Welikanda Prison.

SJB urges govt. to allow Muslims working in Colombo to travel to their villages

Whilst welcoming the government’s decisions to impose travel restrictions and to focus on getting down COVID vaccines, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today urged the government to allow the Muslims who are working in Colombo to go back to their villages to be with their families during Eid.

Kuwait suspends travel from Sri Lanka

Kuwait has imposed travel restrictions on several South Asian Countries including Sri Lanka, with immediate effect.

AG’s Co-ordinating Officer Nishara Jayaratne to relinquish her duties

State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Co-ordinating Officer to Attorney General Dappula de Livera will relinquish her duties with effect from May 24, 2021.

Travel restrictions between districts likely

The government will impose travel restrictions between districts if the need arises.

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.

WHO denies claims GR influenced decision on Sinopharm

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has denied claims that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had influenced the decision by the global body to approve the emergency use of the Sinopharm vaccine.

Inter-Provincial Private Bus Services off the road from tonight until May 30

Inter-Provincial Private Bus Service will be suspended until May 30 from tonight, National Transport Commission (NTC) Director General Nilan Miranda said.

Malaysia declares nationwide lockdown from Wednesday to June 7

Malaysia will be imposing a nationwide movement control order (MCO) beginning on Wednesday (May 12) until early next month to stem the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the country, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Monday.

Inter-Provincial travel restrictions from midnight today

Inter-provincial travel restrictions will be imposed from midnight today till May 30, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.