President instructs to focus on rapid development in main cities

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to focus on rapid development of several main cities in the country including Colombo, the President’s Media Division said.

President underscores importance of random sample testing

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has highlighted the importance of conducting random sample PCR tests in areas where people frequent regularly, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

No issue with cremating COVID-19 dead: Archdiocese

Church has no issue with cremating Catholics who succumb to COVID-19, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Colombo said yesterday.

Beware of mobile-based cash transfer scam: MoD

The Defence Ministry urged the public to be aware of an ongoing scam using mobile-based digital e-wallet cash transfer system and ransom by threatening individuals.

CC expresses its full confidence on Elections Commission

The Constitutional Council meeting was held under its Chairman former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya at his official residence.

COVID-19 patients cannot be reduced to zero: Dr. Jasinghe

It is illogical to think a viral infection can be eradicated completely, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said, adding that Sri Lankans must not hope that COVID-19 patients could be reduced to zero.

Applications for A/L entry at new schools via online from tomorrow: Ministry

The Education Ministry has introduced an online system for students those who wish to pursue Advanced Level (A/L) at a seperate school for the year 2020.

Seven new Ministry Secretaries appointed

New Secretaries have been appointed to seven Cabinet Ministries by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, the Presidential Media Division announced.

High Commissioner-designate of India offers prayers to The Buddha via video call

The High Commissioner-designate of India Gopal Baglay offered prayers to The Buddha through a video call each to the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thero of the Asgiriya Nikaya and the Most Venerable Niyangoda Vijithasiri Anunayake Thero of the Malwatte Nikaya in the morning.

Set of guidelines issued on restoring normalcy in civilian life

Police has issued a set of guidelines to be followed by the people on restoring normalcy in civilian life while the quarantine curfew is being implemented.

It will take another month to reopen schools: Dallas

Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that it would take at least another month to reopen schools and that it would be done in four stages.

22 more COVID-19 patients recover

Twenty-two COVID-19 infected patients recovered and were discharged from the hospital today increasing the total number of recovered cases to 343, the Health Ministry said.

Stock market closed for trading as S&P SL20 drops over 10 %

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), which resumed trading today after a shutdown spanning for seven weeks, closed soon after reopening as the S&P SL20 Index dropped over 10 % from the previous close.

7 FR petitions against election date fixed for support on May 18, 19

Seven Fundamental Right petitions filed challenging the dissolution of Parliament and fixing the General Election date for June 20, have been fixed for support on May 18 and 19 by the Supreme Court.

FR petitions: Not in position to appear for EC, AG informs court

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has informed the Supreme Court that he is not in a position to appear for the Elections Commission and its members in the Fundamental Right petitions filed challenging the date of the Election, AG’s co-ordinating officer, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

Iranian navy ship ’sunk by friendly fire

An Iranian navy ’’friendly fire’’ incident in which a ship was sunk has killed dozens of sailors, unofficial reports say.

Those who stigmatize china on covid-19 have failed their own people - Chinese Envoy

China has reacted strongly against some countries who have called for an international investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 and China’s early response to the outbreak, stating that while China was open to international co-operation, these politicians who have made such calls do not represent the mainstream opinions of the global community.

Country will face crisis if lockdown lifted sans adequate testing: Ranil

Sri Lanka would be plunged into a worse crisis if the government goes ahead with the partial lifting of the current lockdown without focusing on adequate testing, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

35,323 PCR tests conducted so far: Dr. Jasinghe

The Director-general of Health Services (DGHS) Dr Anil Jasinghe said the Medical Research Institute (MRI) in Borella, teaching hospitals and university laboratories have conducted a total of 35,323 PCR tests since March 18

Poll observers ready to cooperate with EC to conduct polls despite Covid-19

An election monitoring body said today that it was ready to cooperate with the Election Commission in evolving guidelines to conduct the parliamentary elections amidst the coronavirus threat.

Sri Lanka on right track to contain Covid-19: WHO

Sri Lanka is on the right track to contain the Covid-19 through the increased tracking, testing, isolation, and treatment strategy, the World Health Organization said.

Work to commence in Colombo, Gampha whilst curfew in force

Curfew in the high risk districts of Colombo and Gampha will remain, however work will commence from tomorrow(11) and both public and private sector employees can travel to work by showing their office identification, an email, sms or Whatsapp message on their mobile phones, showing their proof of employment to the thousands of military and police personnel who will be deployed on the roads to maintain the health guidelines.

Curfew in Colombo, Gampaha to continue; Kalutara, Puttalam to be relaxed

Curfew in Colombo and Gampaha districts would continue until further notice while curfew in all other districts including Kalutara, Puttalam would be lifted at 5 am tomorrow(11) & re-imposed at 8 pm and will continue daily until further notice, the Government said.

Toll of COVID-19 cases rises 855

Eight more Covid-19 infected patients were reported increasing the total cases to 855, the Health Ministry said.

178 Lankans brought to the country from Malaysia

A total of 178 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Malaysia had reached the Katunayake International Airport this evening, Airport Duty Manager said.

Sixty-one more COVID-19 patients recover

Sixty-one more Covid-19 infected patients have recovered and discharged from the hospital increasing the total number of recovered cases to 321, the Health Ministry said.

Public transport not available for regular passengers for another two weeks

Director General of Health Services, Dr Anil Jasinghe, has informed Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera not to facilitate public transport for regular passengers for another two weeks.

Not interested in being promoted for ICC big post: Sanga

Commenting on reports which said the SLC to promote Kumar Sangakkara for the ICC big post, Sangakkara said today that he is not keen or interested in being promoted.

272 Lankans brought to the country from Australia

A total of 272 Sri Lankans who were stranded to in Australia had reached the Katunayake International Airport this morning, Airport Duty Manager said.

100% made in Sri Lanka cars by next year: Dilantha Malagamuwa

Sri Lanka’s first-ever hundred per cent locally manufactured petrol and electric prototype cars would be launched by next year, Sri Lanka’s racing legend Dilantha Malagamuwa said, yesterday.