The government has planned to complete providing the COVID-19 vaccine for people between the ages of 18 and 30 from the second week of September, Epidemiology Unit Director Dr. Samitha Ginige said.

Another three million Sinopharm vaccines will be supplied by the China by the end of this month, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said today.

The Government has declared the week from tomorrow (23) as a special ’vaccination week’ for the unvaccinated people above 60 years of age, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

The authorities commenced demolishing the historic De Soysa building in Slave Island, which is under dilapidated condition today. A part of the building collapsed recently. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs have decided to contribute their one month salary to a special fund that is to be opened by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, MP Harin Fernando confirmed.

The Indian Naval Vessel Shakti arrived at the Colombo Port carrying 100 tonnes of Oxygen from India today.

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for making a statement about fuel shortage, was released on bail today.

Some 45 artistes in a dance troupe which had taken part in the Kandy Esala Perahera have been tested positive with Covid-19, Health Authorities said.

All the Buddhist temples across the country were seen deserted on Nikini Full Moon Poya Day today due to the quarantine curfew imposed islandwide. Pix by Nisal Baduge and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Claiming that the President’s directive to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) at least once a week targeting the people over 60 years of age who are suffering from chronic diseases, was a useless exercise, former Chief Epidemiologist Nihal Abeysing

People are requested not to be choosy on COVID-19 vaccine brands that they should get but to take the first available vaccine at their earliest, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said.

Those who were behind the Easter Sunday mayhem will face a similar fate like that of blast victims, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said over the weekend.

Two teenagers aged 16 and 17 years old had died when the three wheeler in which they were travelling veered off the road and rammed against a tree at Mailwala in Hambegamuwa yesterday.

The nationwide lockdown which is currently in place, including the quarantine curfew and travel restrictions, will be effective only if the community behaves responsibly, Head of the Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union Upul Rohana said.

Colombo, the bustling city wore a deserted look as a ten-day lockdown was imposed to address the surge of fresh Covid-19 cases in the country. Pix by Samantha Perera

The prevailing domestic Liquid Petroleum (LP) gas scarcity in the country will be settled from tomorrow (23), Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.

Twenty Sri Lankans who are in Afghanistan have expressed their willingness to stay back in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministry said.

Since the government announced a 10-day lockdown yesterday afternoon, the nation has been left puzzled. With contradictory terms used for the shutdown and then ever-changing lists being released as to who can function and who cannot, one wonders why

Since the government announced a 10-day lockdown yesterday afternoon, the nation has been left puzzled. With contradictory terms used for the shutdown and then ever-changing lists being released as to who can function and who cannot, one wonders why

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for making a statement about fuel shortage.

The total number of Covid-19 deaths in Sri Lanka exceeded 7,000 with 198 more deaths being reported today.

Army and Police officers are seen verifying the identity of the people who are travelling during lockdown period. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The lorries containing Litro Gas cylinders were seen in long queues at the Litro Gas Lanka Limited until gas cylinders are issued. Pix by Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

The Sri Lankan pair of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera, have joined Royal Challengers Bangalore for the second part of IPL 2021.

A prayer service led by Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith was held at the Archbishop’s House, Colombo today with the participation of several other Catholic priests in commemoration of the victims of the Easter Sunday atta

The Health Ministry has issued an Extra Ordinary gazette notification setting maximum retail prices for 60 essential and commonly used medicines.

Families that lose their livelihoods due to quarantine curfew will be provided with a relief allowance of Rs. 2,000 from next Monday, Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle said.

Despite the pandemic induced lockdown, India Sotheby’s International Realty has concluded over 50 transactions of million-dollar-plus homes worth $300 million in India and Sri Lanka, in the last one year.

A 10 day quarantine curfew came into effect from last night. Seen here are the deserted roads of Colombo today morning. Pix by Nisal Baduge

The Home Affairs Ministry advised all Divisional and District Secretaries to arrange a programme to find people over 60 years of age who have not received any of the COVID-19 vaccine doses.