Tenth Coronavirus infected patient found in SL

Two more females aged 56-year-old returnee from Italy and 17-year-old girl, a relative of an earlier patient were tested positive for Coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases reported from Sri Lanka to 10.

Dehiwala Zoo, all National Parks closed for two weeks

Dehiwala National Zoo, Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawela Zoo, Ridiyagama Safari Park, Botanical Gardens and all the National Parks under the Wildlife Department will be closed for two weeks from tomorrow as a precautionary measure to contain Covid-19.

UAE suspends issuance of all entry visas from March 17

The UAE on Saturday temporarily suspended the issuance of all entry visas except for those holders of diplomatic passports. This will be effective as of March 17.

Eighth Coronavirus infected patient found in SL

A 42-year-old male, who had returned from Italy and was at the quarantine centre at Kandakadu, has been tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total infected patients to 8, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. This patient is currently receiving treatment at Polonnaruwa Hospital.

Sunday services cancelled

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today announced the cancellation of Sunday services from tomorrow as a precaution to prevent the spread of COVID-19, till March 31.

Show maturity as a nation in the face of pandemic: PM

Issuing a statement over the COVID-19 spread, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday requested the Sri Lankans to show maturity in the face of the pandemic and not to panic by falling prey to false news and rumours, especially that of on social media.

COVID-19 tests at private hospitals not reliable: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday stressed that tests carried out to diagnose COVID-19 by private hospitals are not reliable.

No mass gatherings for two weeks – Govt

The government has decided not to allow mass gatherings for two weeks due to the COVID-19 threat, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today.

Two more Coronavirus cases in SL; total seven now

Two more coronavirus patients have been identified in Sri Lanka, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to seven, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Coronavirus; 103 patients under observation in SL

As of today (14) some 100 Sri Lankans and three foreigners are under medical observation at various hospitals in the country for possible coronavirus infection, Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU).

Sri Lankans arriving from Europe, must undergo quarantine process

Any Sri Lankan arriving in Colombo from any European country during the travel ban period, must either undergo the quarantine process or fly back to the country from where they departed, Airport and Aviation Services Vice Chairman Rajeewasiri Sooriyaarachchi told the Daily Mirror.

We’ve papers to prove Ranil endorsed SJB: Madduma Bandara

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday it had documents to prove that the United National Party (UNP) had endorsed the formation of the SJB right from the beginning, General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday.

Covid 19: All theatres closed until further notice

All film halls under the National Film Corporation have suspended screening films until further notice due to the Coronavirus threat, the Cultural Affairs Ministry said.

Four Polish tourists with Covid-19 symptoms admitted to IDH

Four Polish tourists, who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake to travel overseas were admitted to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) this morning, with Coronavirus symptoms.

Can easily defeat Opposition if it stays united: MR

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said they can easily defeat the main opposition if they stick together instead of contesting the general election separately.

Saudi Arabia to suspend international flights to help stop spread of coronavirus

Saudi Arabia will suspend international flights for two weeks from Sunday (15) to slow down the spread of the coronavirus, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday.

Sunday Mass, Lenten pilgrimages as usual: Colombo Archdiocese

The Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo said yesterday there was no need to stop Sunday Mass and Lenten rituals just yet because the coronavirus had not reached dangerous levels in Sri Lanka.

Safety of Sri Lankans more vital than elections

Ensuring the safety of all Sri Lankans is more important that holding elections, former UNP MP Arjuna Ranatunga told a news conference yesterday and said the government should think of preventing the spread of the coronavirus rather than thinking of politics and elections.

Govt. is fully geared to face coronavirus: Defence Secretary

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

GMOA calls for identification of isolation units in all hospitals

As patients are being diagnosed for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, there should be increased attention on the capabilities of hospitals to isolate patients, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Re-convene Parliament to discuss how best to curb coronavirus: Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to re-convene Parliament as soon as possible to discuss about the measures the country should take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

60 Lankans, 2 foreigners under medical observation

As of today some 60 Sri Lankans and two foreigners are under medical observation at various hospitals in the country for possible coronavirus infection, Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU) Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Guruge said.

No fuel shortage in the country: Amaraweera

Currently, there is no fuel shortage in the country and if filling station owners attempt to create an artificial fuel shortage, he or she will be severely dealt with including the withdrawal of their fuel permit, Power, Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Coronavirus: Three more Sri Lankans tested positive

Three more suspected coronovirus Sri Lankans have been now tested positive, bringing the total of confirmed patients to five, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

9 arrested for blocking ambulance carrying Covid-19 patient

Nine people were arrested for disrupting and blocking the road when an ambulance carrying a suspected coronavirus patient was being taken to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital today.

Travel ban on European passengers

The government has suspended the issuance of visas to European passengers for two weeks as a precautionary measure against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Temporary travel ban on eight more EU countries

Temporary travel ban was imposed on passengers arriving from France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria for two weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said today.

Sri Lankan female infected with Coronavirus in Italy recovered

The Sri Lankan female, who was infected with Coronavirus in Italy, has now recovered and discharged from the hospital, the Sri Lankan Consulate General Office in Milan said.

England cricket tour of Sri Lanka called off due to coronavirus

England’s tour of Sri Lanka has been officially called off due to the global spread of the coronavirus.

IPL 2020 suspended until April 15 amidst Coronavirus concerns

Indian Premier League 2020 has been suspended until April 15 following global concerns surrounding the now-pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19).