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.

Two factions in UNP trying to gain political capital out of COVID-19 epidemic: PM

Issuing a statement, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that the two factions in the UNP are vying with one another to make political capital out of the Coronavirus epidemic.

President pledges USD 5m to SAARC Corona Emergency Fund

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has pledged USD 5m contribution to the SAARC Corona Emergency Fund, Presidential Media Division said.

Maheepala new North-Central Governor

Former Sabaragamuwa Province Chief Minister Maheepala Herath took oaths as the Governor of the North- Central province before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today.

Curfew to continue until Friday

The curfew imposed in Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam districts and the Northern Province will be lifted at 6 am tomorrow (24) and it will be re-imposed at 12 noon on the same day and will continue until 6 am on Friday (March 27).

15 arrested for violating quarantine rules during lift of curfew

At least 15 people have been arrested for violating quarantine regulations when the police curfew was lifted in several districts, DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Banks requested to open branches at curfew lifted areas

President’s Secretary Dr. P. B. Jayasundare has requested the management of all banks in the curfew lifted areas to keep their branches open to the public, the President’s Media Division said.

SL to contribute to SAARC emergency fund on COVID-19

Sri Lanka will contribute to the SAARC emergency fund proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to combat the outbreak of COVID-19, a minister said.

86 total COVID-19 patients identified so far in SL

Five more patients have been tested positive for the virus since yesterday (22) in Sri Lanka, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 86, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Around 1600 arrested for violating curfew

A total of 1589 persons have been arrested with 362 vehicles including motorcycle and three-wheelers during the weekend for violating the curfew, police said.

Curfew temporarily lifted except for 8 districts

The police curfew in the country has been lifted at 6 am today except in eight districts and will re-imposed 2 pm today

Queen’s aide ’tests positive for coronavirus

The aide reportedly fell ill and tested positive last week, and Royal Household staff who had contact with the person have been ordered to self-isolate.

Emirates Airline steps back from suspending all passenger flights

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has stepped back from its initial move Sunday to suspend all passenger flights due to the coronavirus crisis after facing pressure from governments.

German Chancellor Merkel in quarantine after contact with doctor

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made the decision to self quarantine in her home after having contact with a doctor who subsequently tested positive for the coronavirus.

US citizens travelling in SL, Maldives advised to return

The US State Department has advised US citizens travelling in Sri Lanka and Maldives should return to the United States immediately, due to the global impact of COVID-19 and also the travel advisory remains at level 4.

Pakistan FM speaks to Dinesh to discuss coronavirus crisis

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday telephoned his counterparts from Sri Lanka and Nepal and proposed to host the SAARC health ministers conference to firm up efforts to jointly fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Strictly follow rules to win battle against COVID-19: Govt.

The Government today requested the entire nation to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued with the objective of preventing further spread of COVID-19 virus and safeguarding the well-being of the people.

Curfew causes spike in domestic violence

With the island-wide curfew in effect reports of domestic violence have emerged from Colombo, according to the Accident and Orthopaedic Service of the National Hospital.

Enough stock of fuel in storage - CPC

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) today assured that the fuel supply is being done without any hindrance or shortage as an essential service.