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.

Douglas requests Navy to tighten mid-sea borders

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda has requested the Sri Lanka Navy to heighten its vigilance along the borders, in the mid seas to prevent Indian fishermen from coming into local waters at a time when a mutated version of the COVID-19 was rapidly spreading in several Indian states including southern India.

Those vaccinated with first dose hardly infected with new strain: Health Experts

The Astra Zeneca vaccines which has already been administered to over 900,000 people in the Western Province including frontline and health workers are responding well to the new variant of COVID-19 which is rapidly spreading in the country, officials from the Health Promotion Bureau told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Oxygen availability in hospitals assessed

The oxygen availability in hospitals in Sri Lanka is being assessed following a directive by the Ministry of Health.

Escalation of Covid-19 cases in the region

In the wake of the escalation of Covid-19 cases across the region, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will initiate a dialogue with his counterparts of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan today on pandemic-related cooperation, poverty alleviation and other support needed at this hour, a Minister said.

Lakshman Kiriella seeks a meeting of SJB MPs with the Bishops

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella in a letter addressed to President of the Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops’ Conference Bishop Winston Fernando has sought a meeting of SJB (Samagi Jana Balawegaya) MPs with the Bishops to present to them some information regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

It is Maithripala Sirisena who helped me: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said he faced many an obstacle from others in discharging his duties as a minister but then-President Maithripala Sirisena stood by him providing every possible assistance.

Numerous Covid-19 clusters emerging in the country

Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said numerous Covid-19 clusters were emerging in the country, but the cases could be traced back to their contacts.

Excise duty on imported potatoes increased

The Government has decided to increase the excise duty on imported potatoes to Rs. 50.00 per kilo from midnight tonight (26), the presidential media division said.

Met Dept. forecasts unfavourable weather conditions

Fairly heavy rainfalls which could exceed 75mm are expected in some parts of the country during the coming days, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Roy-Tho postponed after some players test positive

The Royal-Thomian cricket matches scheduled to be held next month have been postponed until further notice after some players tested positive with the COVID-19, the Daily Mirror learns.

952 new COVID-19 cases reported today

A total of 952 COVID-19 patients were detected so far today taking the total number of cases in the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons clusters to 96,698, the Government Information Department said.

EU sues AstraZeneca after delays in vaccine deliveries

The European Union said Monday it had launched legal action against the British-Swedish drug company AstraZeneca after it repeatedly under-delivered on its shipments of Covid-19 vaccines to the bloc.

Two more GN Divisions to be isolated

Imbulagoda and Katudampe Grama Niladhari divisions in Rathgama Police area, Galle will be isolated from 8.00 p.m today; Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva said.

892 new COVID-19 cases reported so far

A total of 892 COVID-19 patients were detected so far today taking the total number of cases in the Divulapitiya, Peliyagoda and Prisons clusters to 96,638, the Government Information Department said.

Schools in WP, NWP closed till Friday: Edu. Minister

The government has decided to close all schools in the Western Province (WP) and North Western Province (NWP) till Friday (April 30), Education Minister G.L Peiris said.

Shortage of ICU beds in hospitals islandwide

With the number of COVID-19 cases on the rise daily, there is a shortage of beds in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) for the COVID-19 patients in hospitals islandwide.

30 more hard core criminals including ‘Barrel Sanka’ to be sent to Boossa prison

The Prison Department has taken steps to transfer at least 30 hard core criminals who are at present detained in various prisons across the country, including underworld lynchpin Prabhath Madusanka alias ‘Barrel Sanka’ to Boossa high security prison.

RMT Werahera branch to restrict services from tomorrow

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) had decided to limit its operations in issuing driving licences in the Werahera Branch following the COVID-19 threat in the country, DMT Commissioner Sumith C.K. Alahakoon said.

Several areas in Gampaha, Kalutara, Trincomalee districts isolated

Polhena, Heeralugedara, Kaluaggala & Aswennawaththa East GN Divisions in Gampaha District, Miriswatta and Pelanwatta North & East GN Divisions in the Kalutara District and Pumpuhar GN Division in Trincomalee will be isolated from 8.00 p.m. today.

13 soldiers injured in head-on collision in Kopai

At least 14 individuals including 13 soldiers were injured in a head on collision between an army truck and a tipper lorry at Urumpirai Junction in Kopai early this morning.

Probe on violating health guidelines during New Year festival in Nuwara Eliya

Steps are being taken to hold a formal investigation into the violation of health guidelines and the instructions of the governor during the New Year festival held in Nuwara Eliya on Sunday (25).