The Astra Zeneca-oxford vaccine candidate is presently seen as the best for Sri Lanka against COVID-19, an official said yesterday.

Police requested people in isolated areas to adhere to quarantine rules and regulations and cooperate with health authorities to conduct PCR tests.

The nation will go silent at 9.30 a.m. today to mark the 16th anniversary of tsunami which struck Sri Lanka and Asia in 2004, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

The Buddhist Advisory Council commended President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his unwavering commitment to lay the foundation for national policies despite obstacles and challenges that surfaced during the year, a statement from the President’s Media Di

A 16- year- old schoolboy travelling by bus tested positive for COVID-19 during a random Antigen Test carried out near the Bentota Bridge considered as the entry point to the Southern Province.

One more COVID-19 death was reported today increasing the death toll to 186, the Government Information Department said.

The total number of covid-19 cases reported within today increased to 551 with another 90 cases being reported today, the Government Information Department said.

Amnesty for prison inmates will be granted on account of Christmas in the near future, the Prisons Department said.

It is essential to carry out an investigation to determine as to how the COVID- 19 pandemic came into being, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

A total of 461 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19 so far today, the Government Information Department said.

A total of 771 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital during the last 24-hours increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 31,339, the Health Ministry said.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has launched an investigation on those who have involved in corrupt activities at the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe to lodge a complaint with the Basel Convention Office regarding 28 containers containing agro-waste imported by an Ukrainian company under the pretext of

Rajinikanth has been admitted to hospital in Hyderabad over ’’severe fluctuations’’ in his blood pressure, a statement said.

Russia’s national airline Aeroflot said that their scheduled flight to Sri Lanka has been cancelled until December 31, Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) Manager Mahen Abeysekera said.

The Neverland ranch of the late pop star Michael Jackson has reportedly been sold to a billionaire investor for a quarter of its initial asking price.

Yonakapura West and Yonakapura East Gramaniladari Divisions in Dikwella have been isolated with immediate effect, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Thirteen suspects who were gambling inside a house at Devanampiyatissa Pura in Anuradhapura violating quarantine regulations were arrested last night. Police said.

A total number of 599 Sri Lankans, who were stranded in many foreign countries due COVID-19 pandemic, returned to the country and arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Airport Duty Manager said.

The annual transfers of police officers which were scheduled for January 15 have been postponed till March 15 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

COVID-19 virus which remains in the bodies of those who succumb to the disease could contaminate the freezers where the bodies were kept, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said at a meeting he had with the health officials recently.

The doctrine preached by Lord Jesus Christ encompasses a body of teachings that contributes to the perpetuation of the society and it can be utilized to revive the economically, socially and culturally disrupted world in the wake of COVID – 19 pand

Work on the stretch of the Colombo Marine Drive behind the US Embassy is to begin on January 10, 2021, and will be completed within 60 days, Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando said.

About 9000 police officers have been deployed to conduct traffic operations, apprehend drunk drivers and drivers who violate road rules and regulations during the festive season, Police said.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his Christmas message, said it was a celebration of love and respect for each other.

May all those who celebrate Christmas today do so with the wish that all beings should be happy and well as per the teachings of Jesus Christ who stood for justice and love, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene has said in his Christmas message.

The real Christmas is helping each other at the time when the whole world is affected by new poverty brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said in his Christmas message.

A scheduled repatriation flight arrived from the virus-hit United Kingdom on Wednesday evening.

The Public Health Inspector’s Union of Sri Lanka urged the Government and relevant authorities that travel restrictions be imposed to prevent people from crossing provincial borders during the festive season as the high number of Covid-19 cases rep

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday exhibited a large stock of agricultural plant waste sent from Ukraine, which had arrived in the country in 28 container loads declared as Coriander seeds worth of Rs.75 million to the media.