SLFP to contest under Hand symbol for future elections: Dayasiri

The SLFP has decided never ever to change its original hand symbol hereafter when the party contests any future election, Party’s General Secretary and Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

Travel advisories issued on Sri Lanka

A number of countries have issued travel advisories on Sri Lanka after the country was placed on a coronavirus alert last week.

Address unresolved issues

A group of people staged a protest in Colombo urging the authorities to address their unresolved issues. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Port City Commission bill should include key government officials: Gevidu

Government MP Gevidu Cumaratunga, who made remarks on behalf of his Yuthukama organization, proposed amendments to the Port City Economic Commission Bill stressing that, among others, majority members of the Commission should be Sri Lankans and ex-officio members instead of all being appointed by the president.

Schools in Trincomalee Education Zone to remain closed

All the schools in the Trincomalee Education Zone will remain closed until further notice.

Two more die of COVID-19

Two more COVID-19 related deaths were reported today taking the death toll in the country to 644, the Government Information Department said.

All state and private sector functions banned for next two weeks

All state ceremonies scheduled for next two weeks have been suspended due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country, the President’s Media Division said.

650 more Covid-19 cases reported

A total of 650 new COVID-19 patients were reported within today bringing the total number of cases in the country to 101,236, the Government Information Department said.

Arrival, Departure terminal at BIA closed for visitors

Authorities have decided to close the arrival and departure terminals at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for visitors with immediate effect.

SL College of Paediatricians calls for temporary school closure

The Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians requested the authorities to close all schools in the island temporarily with immediate effect for at least a period of two weeks initially considering this current scenario and trend of escalating COVID spread.

Dengue on the rise once again

There is a notable increase in the number of dengue cases reported this year when compared with the cases reported last year, National Dengue Control Unit Director Dr. Aruna Jayasekara said.

Police launch public awareness programme

A public awareness programme on the importance of wearing face mask to safeguard from Covid spread conducted by police today in various parts of the country. Picture shows a police officer of the Kirulapona Police is engaged in checking the passengers in the bus to ensure the health guidelines are followed. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Only solution for COVID-19 pandemic is vaccination: President

The vaccination is the only solution to stop the spread of Covid-19 and that the government has a systematic and strong programme in place to vaccinate the public, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Airport operations, tourist arrival to continue: Minister

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said, despite the current Covid situation, airport operations and tourist arrivals will continue as per recommendations of the health authorities.

Task force to look into the unusual algae growth in the Diyawanna Oya

The Environment Ministry said that a task force would be appointed to look into the unusual algae growth in the Diyawanna Oya.

Covid-19: Meegahawatta Police Station temporarily closed

The Meegahawatta Police Station has been temporarily closed after the OIC and another police officer of the Police Station contracted the Covid-19, according to the area Public Health Inspector.

WP, Kurunegala top list in Covid-19 cases

A total of 895 COVID-19 cases were reported in the country yesterday out of which nearly 500 cases were reported from the Western Province.

Stringent action against failure to wear face masks;19 arrested - Police

Nineteen persons were arrested yesterday for not wearing face masks and thereby violating quarantine laws, police said

UNP Deputy Leader calls on chief prelates

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday called on the Mahanayaka of Ramanya Chapter Most Venerable Makullewe Wimala Thera at Mirigama Vidyawansa Maha Pirieena and the Chief Incumbent of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkhitha Thera at Kelaniya temple. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Two foreigners among four COVID deaths reported today

Four more COVID-19 patients including two foreigners succumbed to the virus today bringing the death toll to 642, the Government Information Department said.

Total COVID-19 cases exceed 100,000

The total COVID-19 cases reported so far in Sri Lanka surpassed 100,000 mark with 880 more individuals testing positive for the virus.

Large crowds seen in upcountry

A large number of people seen in Nuwara Eliya today despite repeated instructions issued by the authorities to restrict traveling due to Covid-19, Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Over 700 arrested over Easter Sunday attacks

A total of 702 suspects have been arrested over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks as of today, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

CID allowed to detain Rishad, his brother for 72 hours

Former minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen who were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department this morning, have been allowed to be detained for 72 hours in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Four more die of COVID-19

Four more persons succumbed to COVID-19 yesterday increasing the death toll to 638, the Government Information Department said.

Covid-19 cases on the rise in Colombo, Gampaha and Kurunegala Districts

A total of 478 out of the 969 Covid-19 infected cases reported in the country yesterday were from the Western Province while 251 cases were reported from the Kurunegala District, according to the National Operation Center for Prevention of Covid-19

SriLankan Airlines says no VVIPs on Nairobi flight

In response to the Daily Mirror article on Thursday, titled ’UL planning fully sponsored VVIP flight to Nairobi next week?’, Sri Lankan Airlines stated the said flight would not carry any VVIPs on board but instead would have only journlalists as part of a media familiarization tour.

Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother arrested over Easter Sunday attack

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen have been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Bride and Groom Wedding Fair

The opening ceremony of the Bride and Groom Wedding Fair 2021 was held at the BMICH yesterday under the patronage of Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake. The exhibition would be held until Sunday (25).

US provided a great deal of assistance to SL in 2020 - US Ambassador

U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz said the United States provided a great deal of assistance to Sri Lanka in view of COVID-19 last year – US $7.6 million in direct support and 200 ventilators that were provided last year, in 2020.