Implement 'aggressive testing' & proceed to lockout strategy: GMOA

In order to control the COVID-19 outbreak and restore normalcy, the government should implement “aggressive testing” and “test, test, test” concept and proceed to a “lockout” strategy, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said today.

Those provided funds and logistics to bombers should be punished: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today that those who provided funds and logistic support to bombers involved in the Easter Sunday attack should also be brought to book.

COVID-19 recovered cases rise to 65

Two more COVID-19 infected patients were recovered and discharged from the hospital today, the Health Ministry said.

CID records statement from Bathiudeen

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today to record a statement over a case involving a land in Mannar, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

Sri Lankan woman in Jordan contracts with COVID-19

A Sri Lankan woman has been contracted with COVID-19 in Jordan, Jordan Minister of Health Saad Jaber confirmed.

SLAF conducts surveillance operations to monitor illegal entry by sea

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is currently conducting daily Aerial Surveillance Operations in support of the Sri Lanka Navy’s efforts of blocking illegal entry into the island, the SLAF said.

Nagalagam street in Grandpass isolated due to COVID-19 threat

Nagalagam street in Grandpass has been sealed off and place under isolation due to COVID-19 outbreak, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Ruling party wins S. Korea poll amid coronavirus outbreak

The party of South Korean President Moon Jae-in has won a decisive victory in parliamentary elections, BBC reported today.

Updated announcement on curfew

The curfew currently in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones will continue until further notice, Presidential Media Division said.

Toll of COVID-19 cases up to 238

Three more COVID-19 infected patients were reported, increasing the total infected cases in Sri Lanka to 238, the Ministry of Health said.

President, officials explore possibility of resuming day-to-day life at provincial level

The possibility of immediate resumption of day-to-day economic activities at provincial levels in order to safeguard the national economy was explored at a meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, the President’s Media Division said.

Navy sends 100 people from Colombo to quarantine

At least 100 people from Gunasinghapura, Grandpass and Wella Street in Colombo, who were suspected to have contacts with a COVID-19 patient, have been sent for Sampur quarantine centre by the Navy.

Lawyer Hejaaz Hisbullah arrested over Easter Sunday attack

Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hisbullah has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday attack, CID official said.

Two more COVID-19 patients recovered

Two more Covid-19 infected patients were recovered and discharged from the hospital today, the Health Ministry said.

Heavy rains likely this evening: Met Dep.

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning and heavy rains exceeding 100 mm are likely to occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, Uva and Southern provinces in the evening or night today, the Meteorology Department said.

SriLankan flight suspension extended till April 30

The suspension of scheduled flights of SriLankan Airlines due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been extended till April 30, the Airlines said.

Sri Lankan boat with six fishermen detained in Seychelles

A Sri Lankan fishing boat with six fishermen aboard has been detained in Port Victoria in Seychelles on suspicion of illegal fishing, the Seychelles People’s Defence Forces said on Tuesday.

Ward of Kalubowila Hospital reopened after two weeks

The ward of the Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila, which was closed after a COVID-19 patient was identified, has been reopened after two weeks, Hospital Director Dr. Asela Gunewardena said today.

SL rupee appreciates against US Dollar

Sri Lankan rupee has appreciated to Rs.195.78 against the US Dollar when compared with the previous selling rate of Rs. 200.47, the Central Bank said.

Govt. should partially lift lockdown: Ranil

Sri Lanka should partially lift the lockdown imposed to combat COVID-19 in order to keep the economy going, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Now’s ‘not the time’ to reduce funding for WHO in COVID-19 fight, urges Guterres

Now is ’’not the time’’ to reduce resources for the World Health Organization (WHO) as it fights the COVID-19 pandemic, UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres said.

US to halt funding to WHO, says Trump

US President Donald Trump says he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO).

233 COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka

Fourteen (14) more Covid-19 infected patients were reported today, increasing the total number of cases in Sri Lanka to 233, the Health Ministry said.

Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother arrested over Easter Sunday attacks

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj Bathiudeen had been arrested by the CID over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Police Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne said.

Toll of Covid-19 cases rises to 219

One more Covid-19 infected patient was reported, increasing the total number of cases in Sri Lanka to 219, the Health Ministry said.

Father arrested for drowning son, daughter in well

The Walachchena Police arrested a man for allegedly killing his son and daughter at Mawadihena in Walachchena today.

Fire erupts at Government Printer premises

Fire was reported at the premises of the Government Printer, Borella, the Fire Brigade said.

Twitter restores Chinese Embassy’s account

The Twitter handle of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka which was suspended on April 13, has been restored by the social media platform today.

Ranjan remanded until April 20th

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who was arrested by the Mirihana police for obstructing duties of Police officers at a road block in Mirihana yesterday, has been remanded until April 20 by the Nugegoda Magistrate Court.

LOLC concludes US$ 603mn worth sale of Cambodian venture

LOLC Holdings PLC has announced that it has received 422 million dollars as the first tranche by selling its 70% stake from Cambodia’s largest Microfinance Company, PRASAC, to the world’s sixth largest Commercial Bank and Korea’s biggest Commercial Bank, Kookmin.