Pharmacies to remain open during curfew

The Health Ministry had instructed the police department to take actions to remain all pharmacies open during the police curfew considering it as an essential service.

Toll of Covid-19 patients increases to 102

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka have now reached to 102 following the detection of four new cases today, Director General of Health Services said.

Sri Lankans in Bangladesh want to return, writes to Prez

A group of Sri Lankans living in Bangladesh in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has sought permission for Sri Lankans working in Bangladesh to return to Sri Lanka.

Recent returnees from Italy never obtained visa from us-Italian embassy

Italian embassy in Sri Lanka said ‘the returnees from Italy referenced in recent news publications have never obtained a visa from this Embassy, nor have ever requested one.’

Sri Lanka passes 100 COVID-19 cases

The number of COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka has passed 100 today, the Health Ministry announced.

No decision to spray disinfectants into air tonight: SLAF

The Sri Lanka Air Force today rejected the reports circulating on social media that measures have been taken to spray disinfectants into the air to eradicate the coronavirus.

Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara identified as high risk zones for COVID-19

Curfew in the Colombo Gampaha and Kalutara districts will continue until further notice as these have been identified as high risk zone for COVID-19, the Presidential Media Division said.

SriLankan airlines staff discriminated, appeals public to respect employees

SriLankan Airlines has noted that many social Media posts have appeared over the past few days discriminating SriLankan Airlines staff in connection with COVID-19 infection.

US man dies after self-medicating with chloroquine to treat coronavirus

A Phoenix-area (Arizona in the US) man is dead and his wife is under critical care after the two took chloroquine phosphate in an apparent attempt to self-medicate for the novel coronavirus, according to hospital system Banner Health, CNN news agency reported.

Fmr Air Force Chief Roshan new Western Province Governor

Former Sri Lanka Air Force Commander -Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force - Roshan Goonetilake took oaths as the Governor of the Western Province, before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Goonetilake also served as the Chief of Defence Staff.

311 leave for homes after completing 14-day quarantine

A group of 311 persons arrived in Sri Lanka from COVID-19 hit countries left for their homes after undergoing the 14-day quarantine period, the Army said today.

All countries need to work together to protect people, limit economic damage: IMF

The human costs of the Coronavirus pandemic are already immeasurable and all countries need to work together to protect people and limit the economic damage, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement.

2,262 arrested for violating curfew

A total of 2,262 people were arrested for violating the curfew as of this morning since March 20, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratna said.

Curfew in 8 districts will be re-imposed at 2 pm today

The Police Curfew in Colombo, Gampha and Puttalam and Northern Province has been lifted at 6 am today and will be re-imposed 2 pm today, not at 12 noon as announced earlier, Presidential Media Division stated.

Police seek public help to locate a group of returnees from Italy

Sri Lanka Police department has sought public support to identify at least 12 persons including infants who failed to undergo quarantine process, on their arrival from Italy recently.

Sajith never prescribed drug, only brought it to attention of relevant individuals-Harin

While claiming that former Opposition Leader in Parliament Sajith Premadasa ‘never prescribed the drug for the Coronavirus as he only brought it to the attention of the relevant individuals’, former Parliamentarian Harin Fernando vehemently rejected the propaganda carried out by distorting the statements of Mr. Premadasa.

97 COVID-19 positive patients in SL

A total number of 97 COVID-19 positive cases have been identified in Sri Lanka so far, the Health Ministry said. Accordingly, 10 patients have been tested positive for the virus today.

President provides relief package

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has decided to grant relief to the public due to the current situation in the country with the spread of the Coronavirus.

Defence Ministry urges public to heed to curfew law

Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was re-imposing islandwide curfew to restrict public movements and also gatherings to keep spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at bay to ensure public safety and health.

Special Fund to combat COVID – 19 established by President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had set up a special fund to strengthen the mitigation activities aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country and related social welfare programmes.

PM to meet Opposition party leaders

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for a meeting with leaders of the opposition parties at Temple Trees tomorrow(24).

Ranil-Sajith call for all party confab

Stressing that it is imperative to discuss ways and means to resolve the emerging crisis which the government is about to face, both UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa called for an all party conference to resolve the issue.

Make use of time spend at home: Govt

The government today requested the people to make use of time they spend at home to clean the environment, cultivate some frequently-used crops and pay special attention to the children and the elders.

Measures taken by SL to combat COVID-19 in line with WHO pillars

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the measures Sri Lanka has taken to combat the COVID-19 is in line with the eight pillars outlined in WHO’s country preparedness and response plan.

91 tested positive for COVID-19

Five more patients tested positive for COVID-19 today increasing the total number of positive cases in the country to 91, the Health Ministry said.

Air Force modifies helicopters to spray disinfectant by air

Aeronautical Engineering Wing at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Katunayake has made an apparatus which will enable spraying of disinfectant liquids in large quantities from air to highly contaminated areas if required.

Suwaseriya ambulance service burdened by panicky callers

The Suwasariya 1990 ambulance service has been getting a large number of panic calls from people during the past few days, its founder former MP Harsha de Silva said.

Heads of Institutes instructed to ensure smooth functioning of State mechanism: Govt.

The Government has issued a set of guidelines to heads of State institutes to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of the State mechanism in the wake of COVID -19 outbreak, the President’s Media Division said.

First Sri Lankan Coronavirus patient recovers, discharged

First Sri Lankan Coronavirus infected patient in Sri Lanka, the 52 year old tour guide, completely recovered and has been discharged from the IDH in Angoda this morning, health officials said today.

Shoppers maintain healthy distance

With the temporary lifting of curfew in most districts this morning, Sri Lankan citizens were seen adhering to public health guidelines while shopping for essential items.