It will take another month to reopen schools: Dallas

Education Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that it would take at least another month to reopen schools and that it would be done in four stages.

Country will face crisis if lockdown lifted sans adequate testing: Ranil

Sri Lanka would be plunged into a worse crisis if the government goes ahead with the partial lifting of the current lockdown without focusing on adequate testing, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Work to commence in Colombo, Gampha whilst curfew in force

Curfew in the high risk districts of Colombo and Gampha will remain, however work will commence from tomorrow(11) and both public and private sector employees can travel to work by showing their office identification, an email, sms or Whatsapp message on their mobile phones, showing their proof of employment to the thousands of military and police personnel who will be deployed on the roads to maintain the health guidelines.

178 Lankans brought to the country from Malaysia

A total of 178 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Malaysia had reached the Katunayake International Airport this evening, Airport Duty Manager said.

272 Lankans brought to the country from Australia

A total of 272 Sri Lankans who were stranded to in Australia had reached the Katunayake International Airport this morning, Airport Duty Manager said.

HOW WIJEYA NEWSPAPERS SAFELY PRINT AND DELIVER NEWSPAPERS AMIDST COVID-19 CRISIS

Pet dog of well known civil society activist killed

The Negombo Police has launched an investigation into an incident where a well known civil society activist’s pet dog was found killed this morning.

290 prisoners released in view of Vesak

A total of 290 prison inmates have been released in view of the Vesak Poya Day, Commissioner General of Prisons, T.M.J.W. Tennakoon said.

Army corporal killed, 8 soldiers injured in accident

An army corporal was killed and another eight soldiers were hospitalised when a cab they were travelling in skidded off the road and toppled at Girithale in Polonnaruwa early this morning.

Isolated areas in Polonnaruwa re-opened

The areas in Abhayapura in Lankapura, Polonnaruwa, which were isolated due to Covid-19, had been re-opened, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

197 stranded Sri Lankans return from Dubai

A total of 197 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Dubai due to the COVID-19 pandemic has arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Govt. spent Rs. 50bn as relief funds in April

The government has spent Rs.50 billion to pay a stipend of Rs. 5,000 to 7.4 million individuals among poorest of poor in April alone and the financial relief would also be paid in May as well, as they have no other relief, cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said last afternoon.

Three identified persons test negative for COVID-19 today

Three persons who were earlier identified as COVID-19 patients have tested negative for the virus today, Health Service Director General Dr Anil Jasinghe said.

Navy denies withdrawal from Covid-19 operations

The Navy today denied several news reports posted on several social media outlets and news websites that the Navy had temporarily withdrawn from Covid-19 operations.

No danger to NSC as infected nurse had followed proper health practices: Jasinghe

Health Services Director General Anil Jasinghe said there have been limited contacts of the COVID-19 infected nurse at the Colombo National Hospital as she and the Hospital had followed proper health practices.

Another batch of students stranded in London returns

A total of 194 Sri Lankans, who were stranded in London, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today.

138 from Rajagiriya, Kolonnawa, Kolabissa sent to quarantine centres

A total of 138 persons from Rajagiriya, Kolonnawa & Kolabissa in Kandy had been sent to quarantine centres after one Covid-19 positive case was identified from each area, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

Another woman dies from COVID-19 reporting 9th death in Sri Lanka

A 52-year-old Covid-19 infected woman died at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) today, reporting the 9th COVID-19 death in Sri Lanka, Director Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

29 persons in Bandaranayakapura sent to quarantine centre

A group of 29 persons in Bandaranayakapura, Rajagiriya were sent to the Kandakadu quarantine centre after a Covid-19 infected patient was found from the area, health officials said.

23-year-old soldier found dead at Dambulla Bus Terminal

A 23-year-old soldier from Pallepola was found dead outside the public toilet of the Dambulla Bus Terminal today, the Army said.

Eighth Covid-19 death reported from Sri Lanka

A 72-year-old Covid-19 infected woman died at the Homagama hospital this evening, reporting the 8th COVID-19 death in Sri Lanka, Director Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

NIC last digit directive with effect from May 11

The National Identity Card (NIC) numerical system, which had been introduced for the public to be adhered whilst stepping out of the house for essential purpose, would come into effect from May 11, the President’s Media Division said.

Another group of 40 stranded Pakistanis repatriated

Another group of 40 stranded Pakistanis repatriated to Pakistan via Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL-1185 that left Colombo today morning, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said.

First batch of students stranded in London returns

A SriLankan flight carrying 208 students who were stranded in London, UK, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this morning.

Former MPs meeting underway

Former MPs meeting convened by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the current situation in the country is underway at Temple Trees.

Not a time to play adversarial politics – Ranil Wickremesinghe

As Sri Lanka fights the Coronavirus a different sort of battle is beginning to build. A battle between the Government and the opposition reconvening parliament to pass new laws to address the current crisis in the country.

Training centre operator who promoted extremism with Zahran arrested from Kalpitiya

The trustee of an organisation in Kalpitiya was arrested by the police today for allegedly maintaining links with Easter Sunday attacks mastermind Zahran Hashim.

Akuressa PS Chairman arrested

Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman and four others who went on pilgrimage to Sri Pada without a curfew pass were arrested in Maskeliya today.

Isolated areas in Beruwala, Akurana re-opened

The Isolated areas in Beruwala and Akurana in Kandy have been re-opened from today, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Boeing carrying 230 passengers from Netherlands arrives at Mattala

The special aircraft, Boeing 767-300ER, carrying around 230 passengers from Netherlands, arrived at the Mattala International Airport today.