Wanton entrants to CP will be subject to PCR tests: CP Governor

Anyone attempting to enter the Central Province (CP) unnecessarily except for any urgent matter or official purpose will be subject to PCR tests, Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage said.

Six more GN Divisions in Monaragala, Ampara and Matale Districts isolated

Six more Grama Niladhari Divisions in Monaragala, Ampara and Matale Districts have been isolated with effect from 6.30 this morning, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 said.

Colombo recorded highest COVID positive cases yesterday too: NOCPCO

After marking the number of daily COVID-19 cases as high as 1,096 by yesterday, Colombo District recorded the highest positive cases which stood at 200, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Chinese Defence Minister arrives

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a two-day official visit.

Temple trustees arrested for conducting religious festival in Jaffna; violating health rules

Police have arrested the chairman and secretary of the board of trustees at the Sri Kamatchi Amman Hindu temple in Jaffna for conducting a religious festival on Sunday violating health guidelines to prevent Covid spread, Police said.

Govt. will be compelled to impose stringent measures

If the people fail to adhere to health guidelines, the government has no option but to further reinforce safety regulations that would make life difficult, cabinet spokesman, Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

Hospitals reach full capacity

While stating that the capacity in hospitals where COVID patients were treated had exceeded, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana yesterday cautioned the public over irresponsible behaviour.

Ruwan meets Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene called on the Mahanayaka of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera at Asgiriya temple in Kandy yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Eight individuals succumb to COVID-19

A total of eight COVID-19 related deaths were reported yesterday climbing the death toll to 655, the Government Information Department said.

Kottawa exit on E01 closed until further notice

The Kottawa Exit point on the Southern Expressway (E01) would be closed from 6 a.m. today until further notice except for busses and ambulances.

SL to get 1,440,000 more US-funded COVAX vaccines by end May

Sri Lanka will get 1,440,000 doses of vaccines to provide immunity against Covid under COVAX facility, which is mainly funded by the United States

Daily COVID-19 cases exceed 1,000 mark for the first

The number of daily COVID-19 cases today surpassed the 1,000 mark for the first since the outbreak in March, 2020.

Opposition Leader holds meeting with diplomats

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa who met several foreign diplomats today said his meeting with them will help the nation to benefit, economically, socially during the ongoing pandemic.

Fmr. Health Minister calls for collective efforts to fight pandemic

Whilst stating that top priority should be given to suppress the COVID- 19 pandemic which has raised its head once again, former Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne today called for a joint effort of all parties and stakeholders to overcome the situation.

674 fresh COVID-19 cases reported so far today

A total of 674 new COVID-19 patients were reported so far today bringing the total number of cases in the country to 103,050, the Government Information Department said.

Pera Uni introduces new COVID Test Kit, Mask

A research team from the University of Peradeniya has come up with a new COVID- 19 testing kit and a face mask, it was announced today.

Circular on ’work from home facility' issued

The Public Administration Ministry today issued a circular re-introducing limited staff attendance and the ‘work from home facility for the operation of public service due to the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

There is no shortage of Oxygen in the country : Health DG

There is no shortage of Oxygen required to provide treatment for the COVID-19 patients in the country, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana stressed.

Caroline wants Sri Lanka to regulate beauty pageants

Former Mrs. World Caroline Jurie has called on the Government to regulate beauty pageants and become the first country to do so.

Third-wave Covid-19 cases in Prisons surge to 260

At least 260 prison inmates have been contracted with Covid-19 at prisons across the country in the third wave of Covid-19, the Prison Department said.

Cabinet approves to ban burqa, niqab

Cabinet approval was granted to ban all face coverings including the burqa and niqab, Public Security Cabinet Minister Dr Sarath Weerasekara said.

Schools islandwide closed as COVID-19 worsens

All schools islandwide have been advised to close until Friday (30), considering the prevailing COVID pandemic situation in the country, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said during the weekly cabinet meeting.

PCR tests conducted in Lester James Peries Mawatha

A health team of the Colombo Municipal Council carried out PCR tests on residents of Dr Lester James Peries Mawatha, Colombo as a precautionary measure to fully contain the COVID-19 virus in the country. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

UDA takes over Kollupitiya Super Market from CMC

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) has taken over the Kollupitiya Supermarket from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) through an Extraordinary Gazette notice signed by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Second dose of Astra-Zeneca vaccination from tomorrow

The second dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine will be administered from tomorrow (28), State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

All provincial schools in Kegalle Dist. closed till Friday: Governor

Sabaragamuwa Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa today decided to close all provincial schools in the Kegalle District for three days from tomorrow.

Virus spreading in SL not Indian variant, initial study reveals

There is no conclusive evidence so far to say that the Indian variant is spreading in Sri Lanka, the Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said.

GN division in Matale, Polonnaruwa isolated with immediate effect

Pallekumbura Grama Niladari (GN) division in Matale and Sirikatha GN Division in Polonnaruwa isolated with immediate effect, National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

Port City will have more powers than Prabhakaran: Ranil

The Colombo Port City will have more powers than slain LTTE leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran when he was in control of parts of the North if the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill is approved, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Another 90-day detention order to probe Bathiudeens: Police

A detention order has been obtained for 90 days against former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen to conduct further investigations, police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.