A total of 98 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (05) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 4,919.

More than 180,000 second doses of Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines have been administered by the Sri Lanka Army since August 1 as of Thursday (5).

In a situation where videos and photos circulating online of patients lying in hospital corridors raising alarm among the public and medical community, the Health Ministry said they were not reported of any incidents where there is massive congestion

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Pujith Jayasundara were today ordered to be released on previous bail conditions by Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar.

The President has decided to allow anyone over the age of 30 to receive the first dose at any of the centres where the second vaccine is given.

Those people who have been vaccinated with both the doses are still susceptible to get infected or succumb to virus until two weeks, the Health Ministry said today.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the Health Minister and health authorities to formulate a mechanism to prevent Covid patients from being inconvenienced in Hospitals.

National Peoples’ Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who raised concerns over the arrest of protesters by the policemen in civvies, today urged the Government to adopt a proper procedure when making the arrests.

The joint Centre against Kotelawala Defense University Bill staged a protest in Colombo against the proposed Kotelawala Defence University Bill today.Pix by Pradeep Dilrusksana

SJB MP Harin Fernando said he will self isolate as he met Ranjan Ramanayake when he was brought to his relatives funeral earlier this week.

Imprisoned former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is in remand at the Angunukolapelessa Prison tested positive with COVID-19.

Police have been instructed to remain calm even if the protesting teachers acted violently and attacked the police, following a special order given by the President, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today.

Several professional bodies and political parties have pleaded the teachers and principals who are currently engaged in a massive protest campaign, to suspend all their protests for the sake of safety and health of the nation in the middle of this dr

Following a crucial discussion held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country, it has been decided not to impose a countrywide lockdown but some certain restrictions will be imposed, Army Commander Genera

A school teacher who was working for well-known Tamil girls’ school in Badulla died this morning while receiving treatment for COVID-19 at General Hospital in Badulla, Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr. Palitha Rajapaksa said.

A special meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss the current COVID-19 situation is currently underway with key stakeholders, sources said.

Three more MPs have tested COVID 19 positive, Serjeant-at- Arms Narendra Fernando said today.

As COVID19 patients has seen a sudden spike across Sri Lanka in recent days, all major hospitals especially in the Western Province have run out of beds, forcing parties to lie on floors and even corridors, finding whatever space they can.

The companies have taken steps to halt production and distribution of sachets (non-food and pharmaceutical) as well as selling of them, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) informed the Environment Minister.

Sri Lanka has today received two million doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China freighted by two SriLankan Airlines aircraft, the airport duty manager said.

Those who have not yet received the second COVISHIELD Astra-Zeneca vaccine, can now visit the Police Field Force Headquarters in Bambalapitiya today in order to get their vaccines.

Police have arrested a group student activists including the convener of the Inter-University Student’s Federation Wasantha Mudalige and the Chairman of the Sri Jayewardenepura University Students’ Federation Amila Sandeepa in connection with the

A crucial meeting will take place today (Friday) chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to discuss the current developments related to the coronavirus in the country.

As a severe health crisis unfolds in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry yesterday said that those who had tested positive for COVID-19 but were showing non severe symptoms should stay home and seek treatment.

Government MP Gevidu Cumaratunga who spearheads the civil society movement called ‘Yuthukama organization’ urged teachers who are on trade union action to be mindful of the challenging pandemic situation of the country and refrain from mass de

A group of employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) staged a protest in Colombo today outside the CEB Head Office in Colombo against the sale of shares of the Kerawalapitiya power plant to an US company without calling for tenders.

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa is seen at a protest organised by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) at the Lipton circus against the proposed Kotelawala Defence University Bill.Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Issuing passports under the normal service has been temporarily suspended after several staff members of the Department of Immigration and Emigration Head office in Battaramulla have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Delta variant of COVID-19 has been found to be spreading ultrafast in the Colombo area, medical experts pointed out.

Civil Organisations, Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) and National Peoples’Power staged a protest against the Kotelawala Defense University Bill in Colombo.Pix by pradeep dilrukshana