Hi-tech coronavirus surveillance system

The Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) was in the process of finalising a hi-tech system over the weekend to monitor coronavirus patients and those who had any form of interactions with them.

Govt. fully geared to tackle coronavirus: Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the government was fully geared to ensure the protection of the country’s 21.4 million population from coronavirus or COVID-19, today.

Coronavirus hits the construction industry

The construction industry is facing a dire situation as a result of the inability of importing certain materials essential for the industry from China after the outbreak of COVID-19 and the government’s failure to pay a huge amount of money that it owes to the industry, industry sources said.

No decision to postpone A/L exams: Exam. Commissioner

While rejecting rumours spreading on social media, the Commissioner of Examinations said that no decision had taken to postpone the GCE A/L 2020 examination to November.

SJB cancels all meetings

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday announced that all gatherings and meetings of his party has been cancelled to prevent the spread of COVID -19.

Rains expected says Met. Dept.

A slight change in prevailing weather condition is expected over the island except for Northern Province, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Let’s unite to overcome COVID-19: Cardinal

Everyone should come together as a nation to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said over the weekend.

Prez proposes collective SAARC response to fight COVID-19

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday proposed to leaders of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to formulate a collective response to combat COVID – 19. He further called for SAARC Ministerial Meeting to discuss measures to overcome this deadly health threat.

Quarantine escapees arrested by Police

Four youth who had evaded quarantine after returning from South Korea were arrested by Ratnapura Police while they were hiding in their houses yesterday.

Govt. dispels rumors that Colombo to come under lockdown

The Health Ministry dispelled rumors that Colombo city or any other province will come under a lock down following a rise in the number of COVID-19 patients, but added that preventive measures were being updated on a daily basis.

COVID-19; Seven more Sri Lankans identified; total 18

Another seven Sri Lankan returnees from Italy had been identified positive for COVID-19 while bringing the total number of infected confirmed cases in the country to 18 by last evening, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

BIA to be fumigated

All parts of the Bandaranaike International Airport will be fumigated tomorrow by medical officers and airport staff members following the arrival of large groups of Sri Lankan nationals from Italy, South Korea and some other European countries in recent weeks.

Another male identified as 11th Covid-19 patient in SL

A 45-year-old male, who returned from Germany has been tested positive for COVID-19 bringing the total number of infected Sri Lankans to eleven, Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Modi proposes COVID-19 emergency fund for SAARC countries

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today proposed a COVID-19 emergency fund for SAARC countries.

Election will be held as planned: President

General Elections will be held as planned on April 25, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said speaking at SAARC leaders’ video conference on COVID-19.

All flights to SL from UK, Belgium, Norway suspended

All travel beginning from the United Kingdom, Belgium and Norway will be banned for a period of two weeks with effect from 2359hrs (local time in Sri Lanka) tomorrow, the Civil Aviation Authority announced.

Jaffna Int’l Airport closed for two weeks

The Jaffna International Airport (JIA) will be closed for two weeks with immediate effect, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced today.

Consular Services at SL Missions in UK, Belgium & Norway limited

Towards limiting the transmission of COVID-19 and to ensure effective implementation of the travel restrictions imposed on the newly designated countries, the Ministry of Foreign Relations has initiated action to regulate the consular services with effect from 15th March midnight 1259 hrs in Brussels, London and Oslo.

Arsikland musical play cancelled

The performances of ’Arsikland the Musical 2: The Circle of Strife’ scheduled for March 15, 16, 17 and 18 have been cancelled following the Government’s directive to ban all public and private events, the organisers said.

Colombo Fashion Week postponed

The Colombo Fashion Week scheduled to take place from the 18th to 21st March, has been postponed due to Covid-19.

Jamiyyathul Ulama urges Muslims to stop prayer gatherings

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) today requested the Muslim Community to temporarily stop the Friday Jummah Prayers and five times congregational prayers at Masjids and all kinds of public gatherings until further notice due to Covid-19 outbreak.

Police clearance reports only via online

Police clearance reports would only be issued via online as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of Coronavirus until further notice, the Police said.

Lankans arrived from Italy in March to be quarantined

Sri Lankans who arrived from Italy from March 1 to 9 will be identified and quarantined, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

No pilgrimages, trips: Govt.

The Ministry of Buddhasasana Cultural and Religious Affairs requested the general public to refrain from pilgrimages and trips in order to reduce the risk of spreading and infection of the Covid 19 virus.

Two Covid patients arrived after taking Paracetamol

Two individuals, who were among confirmed positive for Covid 19 arrived in the country from Italy after suppressing the disease by taking Paracetamol, Director General of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

All public, private meetings and events banned

The government has decided to ban all public and private sector meetings and events with immediate effect until further notice due to Covid-19 outbreak in the country, police said.

Trump tests negative for coronavirus

US President Donald Trump has tested negative for the coronavirus, the White House physician has said.

Foreign Ministry officer in self-quarantine as family member tested positive

On learning that one of the family members of an officer of the Foreign Ministry is diagnosed with COVID -19, the Ministry, upon seeking necessary medical advice, has taken a series of precautionary measures to avoid and minimize the risk of transmission of the virus and the officer concerned has been self-quarantined since Friday.

SL limits provision of consular services in 11 overseas Missions

In view of the present circumstances of the rapid spread of COVID-19 globally, and in order to limit the spread of the virus among Sri Lankans who visit the Sri Lanka Missions overseas, the Ministry of Foreign Relations has decided to limit the provision of consular services in 11 Sri Lanka Missions overseas commencing 16 March until further notice.

Monday declared a public holiday: Home Affairs Ministry

The Government had declared Monday (16) as a Public Holiday, due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister Janaka Bandara Thennakoon said.