Though authorities are not imposing an Islandwide lockdown, it is extremely essential to enforce strict quarantine regulations to control the current COVID-19 pandemic and to prevent it from going out of control, the Government Medical Officers Assoc

The Education Ministry will take a concrete decision regarding the reopening of schools at a meeting on Sunday, Education Minister Prof. G.L Peiris said.

The Pallewela Police has arrested a woman after a video circulated on social media yesterday which showed her assaulting her 5-year-old child in an inhumane manner.

The earthquake to the magnitude of 6.4 that rocked India’s rugged northeastern state of Assam this morning, does not have any impact on Sri Lanka, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Former Sri Lanka player and coach Nuwan Zoysa has been banned from all cricket for six years after an ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the ICC anti-corruption code.

Two suspects including notorious drug dealer Upul Sanjeewa Perera alias ’Datha Suda’ had been arrested by the STF during a special raid at Temple Road in Dehiwala this morning, the Police said.

The results of the 2020 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be released within seven days from today, Education Minister G.L. Peiris said.

The COVID-19 variant currently spreading in several areas of the country has been confirmed to be the variant spreading in the UK (B.1.1.7), Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr. Chandim

Anyone attempting to enter the Central Province (CP) unnecessarily except for any urgent matter or official purpose will be subject to PCR tests, Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage said.

Six more Grama Niladhari Divisions in Monaragala, Ampara and Matale Districts have been isolated with effect from 6.30 this morning, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 said.

After marking the number of daily COVID-19 cases as high as 1,096 by yesterday, Colombo District recorded the highest positive cases which stood at 200, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a two-day official visit.

Police have arrested the chairman and secretary of the board of trustees at the Sri Kamatchi Amman Hindu temple in Jaffna for conducting a religious festival on Sunday violating health guidelines to prevent Covid spread, Police said.

If the people fail to adhere to health guidelines, the government has no option but to further reinforce safety regulations that would make life difficult, cabinet spokesman, Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

While stating that the capacity in hospitals where COVID patients were treated had exceeded, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana yesterday cautioned the public over irresponsible behaviour.

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene called on the Mahanayaka of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera at Asgiriya temple in Kandy yesterday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

A total of eight COVID-19 related deaths were reported yesterday climbing the death toll to 655, the Government Information Department said.

The Kottawa Exit point on the Southern Expressway (E01) would be closed from 6 a.m. today until further notice except for busses and ambulances.

Sri Lanka will get 1,440,000 doses of vaccines to provide immunity against Covid under COVAX facility, which is mainly funded by the United States

The number of daily COVID-19 cases today surpassed the 1,000 mark for the first since the outbreak in March, 2020.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa who met several foreign diplomats today said his meeting with them will help the nation to benefit, economically, socially during the ongoing pandemic.

Whilst stating that top priority should be given to suppress the COVID- 19 pandemic which has raised its head once again, former Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne today called for a joint effort of all parties and stakeholders to overcome the

A total of 674 new COVID-19 patients were reported so far today bringing the total number of cases in the country to 103,050, the Government Information Department said.

A research team from the University of Peradeniya has come up with a new COVID- 19 testing kit and a face mask, it was announced today.

The Public Administration Ministry today issued a circular re-introducing limited staff attendance and the ‘work from home facility for the operation of public service due to the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases.

There is no shortage of Oxygen required to provide treatment for the COVID-19 patients in the country, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardana stressed.

Former Mrs. World Caroline Jurie has called on the Government to regulate beauty pageants and become the first country to do so.

At least 260 prison inmates have been contracted with Covid-19 at prisons across the country in the third wave of Covid-19, the Prison Department said.

Cabinet approval was granted to ban all face coverings including the burqa and niqab, Public Security Cabinet Minister Dr Sarath Weerasekara said.

All schools islandwide have been advised to close until Friday (30), considering the prevailing COVID pandemic situation in the country, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said during the weekly cabinet meeting.