Three more succumbed to Covid-19: Death toll climbs to 44

Three more COVID-19 deaths were reported in Sri Lanka increasing the death toll to 44, Director General of Health Services said.

Committee appointed to review Covid-19 related deaths

With the sudden increase in Covid-19 deaths in the country for the last three weeks, a panel of experts was appointed by the Director-General of Health Services to evaluate the deaths related to Covid-19, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Special ambulance service in lockdown areas: Police

A special ambulance service has been introduced in lockdown areas in Colombo and suburbs, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said today.

One track on Coastal Line closed until Sunday: Railway Dept.

One line between Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya Railway Stations on the Coastal Line will be closed for five days from today due to repair work, the Railways Department said.

SJB raises questions on Rapid Antigen tests

Raising questions on the newly imported Rapid Antigen test kits, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday charged that the kits have been imported into the country before the evaluation of tenders were completed and before obtaining the validation from the Health Ministry.

Still no change to current procedure of cremation: Health Ministry

Ministry of Health says that it has not taken a decision to change the current procedure of cremation of those who succumbed to COVID-19, Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara said.

Rishad further remanded

MP Rishad Bathiudeen who is in remand prison, was further remanded till November 13 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Court issues interim order suspending Mawanella PS session

The Mawanella Magistrate’s Court today issued an interim order suspending sessions of Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha for seven days, Police said.

Will not support the new COVID Transport Policy: Private Bus Associations

Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) yesterday informed the Transport Ministry that they will not support the new COVID Transport Policy which is to be introduced today.

Health Ministry must update the current COVID-19 testing algorithm: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said the time has come for the Health Ministry to update the current COVID-19 testing algorithm as soon as possible.

Kandana, Mahabage declared as isolated areas

Kandana and Mahabage police areas had been declared as isolated areas with immediate effect, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Govt.’s policy is to keep the economy moving while containing Covid-19: Prez

It is the Government’s policy to keep the economy going while ensuring all the activities including employment, agriculture and fishing move forward, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa emphasised.

Georgia wins Junior MasterChef Australia 2020 with her Sri Lankan feast

Sri Lankans around the world celebrated the epic win of Georgia who clinched the title of Junior Masterchef Australia 2020 which concluded on Monday and aired on Network 10.

107 inmates, two prison officers contract Covid-19

A total of 107 inmates and two prison officers have so far been infected with Covid-19, Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya said today.

Five SJB MPs arrive at Political Victimisation Commission

Five MPs of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) arrived at the Presidential Commission appointed to look into the alleged political victimization to give evidence today.

35th Covid-19 death reported

A 78-year-old male who died on admission to hospital was reported as the 35th Covid-19 death in Sri Lanka today, the Government Information Department said.

Essential services employees allowed to cross isolated areas

The essential services employees and factory workers under BOI or the Export Development Board are allowed to enter or leave isolated areas under the health guidelines, Police Spokesmam DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Two more Covid-19 deaths reported in Sri Lanka; Death toll rises to 23

Two females aged 68 and 81 have died at the National Hospital in Colombo due to Coronavirus, Health Ministry Spokesman Dr Jayaruwan Bandara said.

Probe social media video on illegal land acquisition: AG directs acting IGP

Attorney General Dappula De Livera has instructed the Acting IGP to commence an inquiry into the videos circulating through social media on forced acquisition of lands owned by Sri Lankans living abroad.

Curfew in Western Province extended until Nov. 9

The curfew imposed within the Western Province has been extended to 5.00 a.m, November 9 considering the current Covid-19 situation in the province, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

550 persons who left WP traced across the country: Police to take legal action

Police said today that at least 550 persons who had travelled out of the Western Province prior to the curfew were found from Bandarawela, Batticaloa, Nuwara Eliya, Tangalle, Matara, Ampara and Jaffna areas.

Sri Lanka sends waste back to UK

Sri Lanka has started shipping 242 containers of hazardous waste, including body parts from mortuaries, back to Britain after a two-year court battle by an environment watchdog, officials said on Saturday.

Navy seizes over 4 tons of dried turmeric along with 16 suspects

Sixteen suspects have been arrested with 4150kg of smuggled dried turmeric during special operations conducted in Puttalam, the Navy said.

221 persons arrested for violating quarantine curfew

At least 221 persons for violating quarantine curfew within the last 24 hours ended 6 a.m today, police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Persons who left Western Province to be quarantined

Those who have left the Western Province on October 29 and 30 will be subjected to self quarantine for a period of 14-day at the places where they are currently at, Police said

54-year-old female dies reporting 20th Covid-19 death

A 54-year-old female from Colombo 12, who was being treated at the National Hospital, Colombo died reporting the 20th COVID-19 death in Sri Lanka.

Six shops in Borella closed after Covid-19 patients visited them

At least six shops in Borella have been temporarily closed after three individuals who were tested positive for Covid-19 had visited the shops recently, police said.

Multi-storey car parks in Colombo and other districts

The Government had approved the building multi-storey car parks in selected towns including Colombo, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

1, 422 COVID-19 patients reported as of last night: Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara

A total of 1,422 COVID-19 positive patients were reported as of last night, Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara said today.

Probe revealed Rishad’s brother had no direct links to terrorism: Chamal

State Minister of Internal Security, Chamal Rajapaksa, said MP Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother Riyaj was released as investigations had revealed that he had no direct links to terrorism.