No evidence wet weather increases spread of COVID-19

Though there has been a notion that COVID-19 virus cannot spread in warm weather and it would spread further in rainy weather, a health expert in Sri Lanka today said it was not possible to confirm that wet weather could increase the spread of the COVID-19.

I shared facts obtained from Facebook: SF

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today said that the information he recently shared over coronavirus situation in Sri Lanka was received via the Facebook and that he was even ready to go to jail if it would help stop the spreading of COVID-19.

SL urges countries to extend visas of visiting Sri Lankans

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha has requested foreign governments to facilitate the appropriate extension of visas for Sri Lankans currently visiting their countries, and facing difficulty to return to Sri Lanka on account of the travel bans that have and will become applicable as part of the control measures on COVID- 19.

Railways sterilizes train compartments

A programme to sterilize all train compartments arriving at the Dematagoda, Maradana and Maligawatta Running Sheds was commenced today, General Manager of Railways, Dilantha Fernando said.

Maximum retail price for Masoor Dhal, Big Onions and Canned Fish

While issuing an extraordinary gazette notification the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today declared a maximum retail price for Masoor Dhal, Big Onions and Canned Fish.

CCD probe into statements by Rajitha & SF over COVID-19

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has launched an investigation into several misleading statements made by former MPs Rajitha Senaratna and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka over the COVID-19 situation in the country, police said.

Private hospitals permitted to conduct PCR test

The government has decided to permit private hospitals to conduct the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test under strict conditions, Health Services Director Anil Jasinghe said.

Number of COVID-19 patients rises to 50

The number of patients infected by COVID-19 has increased to 50, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. Speaking at the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19- Outbreak, she said eight more individuals have tested positive for the virus today.

Over 100 Ukrainians left stranded in SL amid border shutdown in Ukraine

A total of 105 Ukrainian citizens are stranded in Colombo after Boryspil International Airport near Kyiv, as they claim, has refused to accept their plane, and therefore, the air carrier did not allow them to board a flight with a leg in Dubai.

Train services limited upto Negombo only: GMR

The Railways Department today decided to limit all train services up to Negombo on the Colombo-Puttalam line from this evening, the Railways General Manager Dilantha Fernando said.

Taxes on imported face masks, disinfectants removed

The government has decided to remove import duty and other taxes imposed on all imported face masks and disinfectants including sanitizers from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

Harsha resigns as UNP Treasurer

Former UNP MP Dr. Harsha De Silva today said that he resigned from the position of Treasurer of the United National Party (UNP). In a tweet, Dr. De Silva said he also met UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

WHO warns region including Sri Lanka to ‘do more’

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh has warned several South-East Asian countries including Sri Lanka to ’do more’ to fight the COVID-19 outbreak which is evolving rapidly.

$500mn from CDB for development efforts

Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with the China Development Bank for a financing facility of USD 500 million for development efforts in the country, the Finance Ministry said.

Police curfew in Puttalam, Kochchikade from 4.30 pm today

Police curfew will be imposed in the Puttalam District and Kochchikade in Negombo from 4.30 pm today to assist in the measures being adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country, Police said.

Coronavirus hits all 50 US states as death toll rises

The deadly coronavirus has now hit all 50 states in the US as West Virginia reported its first case of the infection on Tuesday.

EU seals borders to most outsiders

The European Union will ban travellers from outside the bloc for 30 days in an unprecedented move to seal its borders amid the coronavirus crisis.

Police probe video showing assault on nude woman

The Police have launched an investigation into a video circulating on social media showing an assault on a nude woman.

No need for total lock-down: Prez

As a country which did not go through a lock-down even during the 30-year war, there is no need to go for a lock-down in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday adding that the country needs to function.

Validity period of Visas issued to foreigners extended

In line with the measures taken to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the country, the Government has decided to extend the validity period of all types of Visas issued to all foreigners who are currently residing in Sri Lanka.

Health Ministry says no Chinese nationals under observation for COVID

The Health Ministry, yesterday reiterated that the country was not at risk from the Chinese nationals who had recently returned back to Sri Lanka for work, saying no Chinese national was under observation for the COVID-19 in hospitals in the country.

Sri Pada pilgrimage will continue: Prelate

Despite Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Rohana Pushpakumara having requested the Buddha Sasana Ministry to suspend the annual pilgrimage to Sri Pada, the Chief incumbent of Sri Padasthana Ven. Bengamuwe Dammadinna Thera said on Monday that the pilgrimage would continue until the Vesak full Moon Day in May, as usual.

A complete lock-down essential: Sajith

The government should not act like Nero, who played the fiddle when Rome was burning or beat about the bush but should announce a complete lock-down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa told a news conference today.

CMC closes down parks, clinics, libraries, gyms and sports grounds

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to close down all of its recreational parks including the Vihara Maha Devi Park, clinics, sports grounds and libraries for two weeks, Mayoress Rosy Senanayake said.

SriLankan refutes facilitating VIP flight from London to Colombo

SriLankan Airlines today rejected social media posts that it had facilitated a VIP flight to bring down stranded siblings of VIPs from London to Colombo.

Fixed price for dhal and canned fish

The prices of dhal and canned fish had been fixed with effect from midnight today as a concession to the public due to the prevailing situation in the country following the COVID-19 outbreak, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Nine more tests positive for COVID-19: Total rises to 43

Nine more individuals have tested positive for coronavirus thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 43, the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19- Outbreak said.

I told to stop the Royal-Thomian match: President

Commenting on the Royal-Thomian cricket encounter, where a First Officer of SriLankan Airlines who was found positive for the virus has attended, President Rajapaksa today said he asked the organisers not to go ahead with the cricket match.

Six more tests positive for COVID-19: Total rises to 34

Six more individuals have tested positive for coronavirus thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 34, Health Services Director-General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Health Ministry tracking down Royal, Thomian Big match attendees who met UL Pilot

The Health Ministry is in the process of tracking down all those who came in close contact with the Sri Lankan Airlines First Officer at the big match held between Royal College and St. Thomas’ College last weekend and is informing them to go into self quarantine immediately after the officer tested positive for the coronavirus, the Daily Mirror learns.