President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today that despite the challenges and obstacles the country would have to face,there are a number of national responsibilities and duties that need to be fulfilled.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has been named as the fifth suspect before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court over the death of 16-year-old domestic aide at his residence.

Police checkpoints are operational throughout the country as the country has been placed under ten-day lockdown. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The cabinet today approved the proposal submitted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to donate the salaries of all Cabinet Ministers for the month of August to the Covid-19 fund.

Picture shows people are receiving their vaccines against the COVID-19 virus at the vaccination centre at Viharamahadevi Park operated by the soldiers. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

A 37-year-old suspect has been arrested by the Special Task Force of Police for running a factory making weapons

The Taliban has warned Joe Biden that there will “be consequences” if the US keeps any troops in Afghanistan past the end of August.

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris today appreciated India’s move to supply emergency consignments of liquid oxygen from east Indian ports, even by using Indian naval ships.

Beds with oxygen facilities for COVID-19 patients were donated to the Divisional Hospital, Udupila by MP Sahan Pradeep Withana. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

A Sri Lankan housemaid in Dubai has been awarded Dh1 million compensation by Dubai Courts following a road accident last year.

The General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA), Dubai, has extended the expiry date of residence visas for nationals of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Uganda who are stranded abroad.

The Prisons Department has also initiated an investigation into the alleged death threats made by MP Rishad Bathiudeen at a prison doctor.

A tense situation prevailed during the final Randoli Perahera of the historic Temple of the Tooth in Kandy when an elephant carrying the casket of the Kataragama Devalaya, ran amok last night.

Some volunteers were seen feeding the stray dogs during lockdown period. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The Supreme Court has announced that only ‘urgent’ matters will be taken up in open court for hearing from August 23rd to 31st, due to the COVID19 situation in the country.

Considering the severe inconvenience faced by the people due to the pandemic situation in the country, the Outer Province Bakery Owners Association (OPBOA) has decided not to increase the prices of bakery products.

A registered Ayurvedic doctor has lodged a complaint with IGP Chandana Wickremaratne urging him to initiate legal action against health authorities for allegedly allowing Covid-19 infected patients to die without treating them under the Ayurvedic Hea

A research team led by leading Chinese Epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan has identified that the administration of the full course of Chinese vaccines is effective against the Delta variant of Covid-19, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said.

People get immune response after getting Covid, but it is always advisable to receive vaccination after recovery from the disease, a scientist said.

Another cargo containing 76,000 doses of Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine vials has been flown into the country from the United States of America and freighted by Qatar Cargo Airways, the airport duty manager said.

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that construction work of roads, bridges and highways will continue as usual despite the countrywide quarantine curfew.

A proper lockdown where advice of health experts are followed is the need of the hour as there are people loitering along roads despite the quarantine curfew in place,” UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters, which represents the SMES in the apparel industry stressed the need to proceed with manufacture of garment products despite the lockdown to meet orders from foreign buyers with quality and on time delivery.

The daily COVID-19 cases today surpassed the 4,000 mark increasing the total number of positive cases in Sri Lanka to 390,000, the Government Information Department said. .

The quarantine curfew which has been declared for ten days, should be extended by at least ten more days to successfully curtail the spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths caused due to complications, former Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe said

Construction work is seen continuing in Colombo during the current lockdown to minimise the COVID 19 pandemic spread. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

The Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine was 95% effective in controlling the ’Delta’ variants which have been identified in the country, the National Research Council (NRC) Chairman Prof. Hemantha Dodampahala said.

Porters are seen working in Colombo inspire of the lockdown to find their means for survival. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana.

A total of 183 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (21) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 7,366.

The mobile vaccination service carried out by the Sri Lanka Army is currently underway for those who are suffering from illnesses and unable to leave their homes. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe and Waruna Wanniarachchi