CAA removes N-Joy coconut oil from market

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) announced to withdraw all coconut oil stock under the brand ’N-Joy’ from the market, the CAA Information Department said.

Chinese Defence Minister leaves SL

Chinese Defence Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe left Sri Lanka a short while ago after a two-day official visit. He left the country for Beijing at 8.55 a.m. He toured the country with a 37-member delegation.

Six GN divisions in Trincomalee district isolated

Six Grama Niladhari divisions in Trincomalee district have been isolated with effect from 7.00 this morning, Army Chief and Head of the National Operations Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19, General Shavendra Silva said.

Long queues for PCR test

Emergency PCR tests were conducted at the Dedicated Economic Centre at Welisara yesterday considering the prevailing pandemic situation at Dambulla and Thambuththegama. The vendors were seen in long queues to undergo PCR tests. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe.

Youth arrested for spreading fake news on social media

Police have arrested a 19-year old youth from Kahatapitiya in Gampola for spreading false news on social media.

RATs at 12 entry, exit points in WP from today

Random Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will be performed at 12 entry and exit points from and to the Western Province on individuals from 12.00 noon today until further notice.

Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins dies at 90

Michael Collins, the NASA astronaut and retired Air Force general who piloted Apollo 11’s mission to the moon, died early Wednesday, according to a statement from his family. He was 90.

Indian community in SL want jab

The Indian community in Sri Lanka has requested the Indian High Commission in Colombo to provide them with the Coronavirus vaccine, Daily Mirror learns.

Public cannot choose which vaccine to get: Sudarshini

The public cannot choose the Coronavirus vaccine they want and instead must go with what is given to them, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Sudarshini Fernandopulle told Daily Mirror yesterday.

SL-China agree to enhance defence cooperation

Sri Lanka and China agreed to enhance defence cooperation, particularly in terms of high level exchanges and training, informed sources said.

More ICU beds reserved for COVID patients: Channa Jayasumana

The health authorities today reserved 45 more ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds from KDU hospital, Colombo North, Colombo South and Negombo hospitals for the benefit of COVID patients, Minister Channa Jayasumana said today.

Daily COVID-19 cases exceed 1,000 for second consecutive day

The number of daily COVID-19 cases surpassed the 1,000 mark today for the second consecutive day.

No move for complete lockdown: Army Chief

Despite the large number of COVID cases being reported in various parts of the country, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said that there is no move to go for a complete lockdown of the country and only some areas such as certain Grama Niladhari Divisions in the respective areas which are identified as high-risk zones would be isolated.

Customs seize Rs.21mn worth illegal imports

Officers of the Customs Revenue Supervision Division seized more than Rs.9 million worth of cosmetics and women’s and children’s footwear to the value of Rs.12 million while attempting to smuggle into the country.

Six more succumb to Covid-19: Death toll climbs to 661

Six more COVID-19 deaths were reported today increasing the death toll in the country to 661, the Government Information Department said.

Motorists protest for stopping to allow VIP movement

A video is circulating on social media where motorists in the vicinity of Town Hall, Colombo expressed their anger and protested by continuously honking on their horns on Tuesday night after rush hour traffic was brought to a standstill to make way for a VIP movement.

988 fresh COVID-19 cases detected so far today

A total of 988 more COVID-19 patients were reported so far today, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Shutting down airport, restricting tourist arrival depending on health instructions: Minister

Decisions with regard to the shutting down the airport or restricting the arrival of tourists would be taken in accordance with health instructions, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said.

SLC inquiry finds national cricketer guilty of unprofessional behaviour

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) censured a national cricketer for his recent behaviour at an event at a hotel in the South of the island, with a three-member inquiry panel finding his conduct unprofessional and lacking integrity.

Qatar opens bookings for quarantine hotels including arrivals from SL

Discover Qatar has started to accept bookings for 10 days mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka.

NIC mandatory to visit Dalada Maligawa: Diyawadana Nilame

The National Identity Card (NIC) has been made compulsory for devotees to enter Sri Dalada Maligawa, Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela Bandara said.

AG files indictment in Puttlam HC under PTA against 6 accused

The Attorney General has filed indictments in the Puttalam High Court under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Terrorist Financing Act against six accused of collecting explosives and maintaining an explosive manufacturing base in Wanathawilluwa in 2019 January.

More COVID centres required in Central Province

The health authorities have stressed the need to establish several more COVID-19 treatment centres in the Central Province.

Indian COVID-19 variant found in at least 17 countries: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) said Tuesday that a variant of COVID-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.

Mother thrashing her child inhumanely released on bail

The woman arrested over assaulting her 5-year-old child in an inhumane manner, was released on bail by the Attanagalla Magistrates’ Court today.

Chinese Defence Minister calls on President

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Army Chief says to be prepared if patient numbers rise

Considering the current COVID-19 situation in the country, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said today it was better for people to be prepared with a stock of essential items as more areas could come under a isolation if a higher number of patients were detected from particular areas in the coming days.

Shortage of 600,000 AstraZeneca vaccines for second jab

There is a shortage of nearly 600,000 AstraZeneca vaccines State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said

Second dose of COVID vaccination begins

The second dose rollout of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for frontline workers commenced today from the Community Centre in Maradana. Pix by Nisal Baduge

CID request CSR Executive Director to provide info on Easter Sunday attack confidential report

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) requested the Executive Director of the Centre for Society & Religion (CSR) in Colombo 10 to provide information of the confidential report into the Easter Sunday attack that was handed over to a group of Catholic Priests on April 26 by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs.