Nushad Perera has resigned as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

All airlines have been informed to limit their passenger intake to Sri Lanka to 75% including crew members for a period of two weeks from tomorrow (May 3).

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has arrested four members of an organized group who had forged cheques and swindled Rs.43 million from a personal bank account belonging to a steel rod manufacturing company.

An individual named Ananmerithazan from Trincomalee who attempted to flee to Dubai, arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the CID over a fraudulent international money transaction to the tune of Rs. 26 million.

Several areas in the country would receive heavy rainfall of over 100 mm during this evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said.

A total number of 187 persons have been arrested for violating quarantine rules during the past 24 hours ending today (02) at 6.00 am.

All Bus and train services have decided to limit their services including long distance services due to lack of passengers.

Piliyandala police area in Colombo district, seven Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in Trincomalee, Panadura and Nuwara-Eliya have been isolated with immediate effect, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID said.

Sri Lanka strongly condemned the terror attack on civilians that took place on April 30, 2021 in Pul-Alam city of Logar Province in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said.

A total of nine COVID-19 related deaths were reported today increasing the death toll to 687, the Government Information Department said.

The actual COVID-19 status in the county is not reflected with the cases reported at present as there is a considerable delay in getting PCR results from laboratories, the Public Health Inspectors Union claimed.

The number COVID-19 cases reported today surged to 1,716 with the detection of 412 more cases recording the highest number of single-day tally.

There is a possibility of one getting infected with the coronavirus even after the first dose of the vaccine, said Chief Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Samaraweera.

A total of 1, 304 new COVID-19 patients were detected so far today, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

The Health Ministry has advised closing all daycare centres, pre-schools, schools and higher education centres including the universities until further notice.

The Health Ministry today announced to hold funerals ceremonies except for the COVID deaths within 24-hours after releasing the dead body from the hospital.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 17 districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

The Transport Ministry has advised closing the Motor Traffic Department (DMT) offices in Narahenpita and Werahera branch for one week from Monday (3), Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said today.

While publishing a Facebook post, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin Fernando today thanked cardiologist Dr Gotabaya Ranasinghe and his team for giving him another shot at life.

According to the new COVID-19 health guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health, all cinema halls and children parks have been advised to remain closed until further notice, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO)

Considering the prevaling pandemic situation in the country the Government has decided to close all Sunday Schools (Dahamma Schools) until further notice, Commissioner General of Buddhist Affairs Sunanda Kariyapperuma said.

Singapore has banned, until further notice, the entry of all long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel history (including transit) to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan within the last 14 days.

The police today denied news reports circulated on social media and on YouTube over imposing an islandwide curfew from today 12 midnight till May 17.

The Government of Sri Lanka has adopted balanced policies that promote the sustainability of biodiversity, forest cover, waterways and oceanic resources alongside the socioeconomic requirements of the citizens, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

After recording the highest number of new COVID cases yesterday, Kurunegala District recorded the highest number of positive cases during the past 24-hours, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Considering the current pandemic situation in the country, the Education Ministry has decided to extend the closure of schools until May 7, Education Minister G.L. Peiris said.

The World Health Organization has listed Moderna’s (MRNA.O) COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, the agency said on yesterday, the fifth to be given the status meant to expedite countries’ own approval of shots.

All daily activities such as parties, meetings and gatherings organized in hotels, restaurants pubs and nightclubs are prohibited after 10 p.m tonight.

With the percentage of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) admissions doubling, the government decided yesterday to increase emergency beds dedicated for Covid-19 patients to 200, a state minister said yesterday.

Following Random Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) conducted within the Angunakolapelessa Prison, a total number of 13 prisoners were found to have been infected with COVID-19 virus yesterday, COVID Operations Centre Coordinating Officer Chamara Mahagamage