Police arrest more than 600 for quarantine violation

Police have arrested 617 persons including 342 from Colombo for violating quarantine laws yesterday.

13 more GN Divisions isolated

Steps have been taken to isolate 13 more Grama Niladhari Divisions in Gampaha, Kalutara and Jaffna Districts with immediate effect, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

UNP reiterates call for island-wide lockdown

The United National Party ( UNP) yesterday questioned the government on the reports that there is a move to stop PCR tests next week.

COVID-19: Sri Lanka sees highest daily toll of 19 deaths

A total of 19 COVID-19 deaths were reported today recording the highest single-day deaths from the virus since the outbreak in the country.

Several more GN divisions isolated

Eight Grama Niladhari (GN) Divisions in Piliyandala and Habaraduwa police areas will be isolated from 5.00 a.m. tomorrow, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said

NMRA to take Sinopharm vaccine for consideration on Monday

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) received all the documents containing details related to clinical trials of China’s Sinopharm vaccine for its experts’ committee to consider next Monday for regulatory clearance, an official said today.

WHO approves China’s Sinopharm for emergency use worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO), on Friday approved China’s Sinopharm vaccine under the emergency use license, the world body announced.

Daily count of COVID-19 cases increases to 1,914

A total of 817 more COVID-19 patients have been detected increasing the daily count of COVID-19 cases to 1,914 the Government Information Department said.

Nasheed in critical condition even after multiple surgeries

Former Maldives President and present Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed who was injured in a blast on Thursday evening remains in critical condition in intensive care after being treated for multiple injuries.

1097 COVID-19 cases reported so far today

A total of 1,097 new COVID-19 patients were detected so far today increasing the total number of positive cases in the country to 120,521, the Government Information Department said.

Lawyers of DIG Bimshani write to IGP to reinstate her back immediately

Lawyers of DIG Bimshani Jasin-Arachchi, who was removed from her duties as the DIG in charge of the Police Ombudsman Range, has written to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne urging him to immediately reinstate her back to her assigned duties or allocate other suitable duties, a statement from her lawyers said.

Over 15,500 COVID cases, 84 deaths within last eight days

Sri Lanka recorded over 15,500 COVID-19 cases and 84 fatalities as of this evening since last Thursday (29).

Teachers, principals should commit to bringing students exam results to higher level: PM

As there is a tendency for children to move for schools with high results, teachers, as well as principals, should be committed to bringing the examination results of the students to a higher level, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said at Temple Trees today.

We’ll have to lockdown the country according to the need - Dr Sudarshani

Steps will have to be taken to even lockdown the country depending on the conditions and necessities in the future, Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said.

DIG Bimshani removed as DIG Ombudsman Range

Sri Lanka’s first female Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Bimshani Jasin Arachchi has been removed from her duties as the DIG in charge of the Police Ombudsman Range, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said

President hopeful WHO would provide 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca for SL

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today that he was hopeful that the World Health Organization (WHO) would make effort to fulfil Sri Lanka’s need for 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine for the second dose.

Welisara Economic Centre closed

The Dedicated Economic Centre in Welisara was closed for ten days from today after identifying 28 COVID-19 positive persons. The officials of the Wattala Health authority had advised to close the Economic Centre and to conduct another PCR tests on the tenth day. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine gets NMRA approval

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) today granted approval for the emergency use of Pfizer vaccines as shield for COVID virus in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said.

Lessons learnt came handy....

After stringent action taken by the police yesterday to take those who did not wear face masks to quarantine centres, many people are seen here wearing face masks and buying them with a lot of concern. Shops too are seen covering their entrance with polythene curtains to prevent the virus getting in. Pix by Nisal Baduge

No complications reported on Sputnik-V roll out: PHI

The first phase of Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine inoculation began at Gothatuwa for Colombo district residents yesterday, received no complications, Gothatuwa Administrative Public Health Inspector (PHI) Nalin Fonseka said.

Environment Min. instructs CEA to update the red data book

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to immediately update the Red data Book according to the new edition released by the Wildlife Department.

All Eco-tourist destinations, forest lodges, camping grounds closed until further notice

All eco-tourist destinations, tourist attractions, forest lodges and camping grounds that were open to tourists and controlled by the Wildlife Department have been advised to close until further notice, the Government Information Department said.

Over 4,000 COVID patients at home

More than 4,000 COVID-19 infected patients are still in their homes due to the shortage of beds at treatment centres or hospitals across the country.

Daily disposal of 15 Mn. face masks harm birds: Amaraweera

With the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in the country, nearly 15 million face masks are being disposed daily in Sri Lanka have become extremely hazardous to birds, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

230 MT toxic coconut oil re-shipped to Malaysia today

A consignment of 230 metric tonnes of unrefined coconut oil brought to the Colombo Port on April 30 will be re-exported to Malaysia today, Customs Deputy Director (Legal Affairs) and Media Spokesman Sudattha Silva said.

Welisara Economic Centre closed for 10 days

The Dedicated Economic Centre in Welisara will be closed for ten days from today after identifying 28 COVID-19 positive persons, the Economic Centre Manager H.M.D Upali said.

Schools, pre-schools, tuition classes, universities will remain closed: Minister

The Education Ministry today said all schools, pre-schools, pirivena, tuition classes and universities will remain closed due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Over 400 arrested for quarantine law violations

A total of 436 persons have been arrested in various parts of the country for violating quarantine laws during the past 24 hours ending 6.00 am. today.

Acting SG Sanjay Rajaratnam nominated as new AG

Acting Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam has been nominated by the President to be appointed as the new Attorney General, Parliament sources said.

Phase 1 of Ruwanpura Expressway begins today

The construction work of phase 1 of the seventh expressway in the country named ’Ruwanpura Expressway (E-06)’ will commence today, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said.