Russia's Sputnik vaccine approved for emergency use in SL

Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for emergency use in Sri Lanka, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

Circular on burial of COVID-19 victims issued

The circular containing the guidelines with regard to the burial of COVID-19 victims has been issued, the Health Ministry said.

65-year-old woman dies of COVID-19: Death toll climbs to 484

A 65 year-old woman from Eravur has died of COVID-19 increasing the death toll in Sri Lanka to 484, the Government Information Department said.

Epidemiology Unit begins probe on two deaths following vaccination

Two individuals from the Gampaha District have died two days after being vaccinated and the Epidemiology Unit is to investigate as to whether it could be attributed to the vaccine, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

Iranaithivu chosen to bury COVID victims temporarily: Health DG

While saying that the guidelines with regard to the burial of COVID-19 victims have been finalized and the relevant circular will be issued today, Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said today the decision to select Iranaithivu Island to bury COVID victims was temporary and preliminary.

First consignment of vaccine under COVAX facility to arrive on Sunday

The first consignment of Covid vaccine under the COVAX programme of the World Health Organization will be delivered to Sri Lanka next Sunday (March 7), State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Sudarshini Fernandopullesaid.

Govt turns blind eye on Muslims’ request to bury COVID-19 dead in Kupiyawatta; go ahead with Iranaitivu isle

Muslims in Sri Lanka will make an urgent appeal to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, to find a suitable land for the burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims, instead of burying them in the island of Iranaitivu, in the Gulf of Mannar, stating it was not a practical solution to bury the victims there.

COVID-19 death toll mounts to 483 with seven more deaths

Seven more COVID-19 deaths were reported today increasing the death toll in the country to 483, the Government Information Department said.

Vaccination drive: Hiccups being rectified, says Army Chief

The discrepancies that were observed in the vaccination drive are being taken into consideration and will be rectified, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

Total COVID-19 recoveries exceed 80,000

A total of 598 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged today surpassing the total recoveries in the country 80,000.

Stern action if political influence continues on vaccination drive: PHIs warn

While saying that incidents were reported from Colombo Municipality area with regard to politicians making influential pressure on officials and thereby sabotage the vaccination drive, the Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) warned that they won’t hesitate to take tough action if this kind of influence continues to happen.

Isolation order lifted in two GN Divisions in Kandy

The isolation order in two Grama Niladari Divisions in the Kandy District has been lifted with immediate effect, head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Over half a million inoculated so far in Sri Lanka

Over 500,000 individuals have so far received the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine in Sri Lanka, the Epidemiology Unit said.

Five more die of COVID-19: Death toll increases to 476

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 476 with five more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services, the Government Information Department said.

Influential pressure by many lead to irregularities in vaccination drive: Health Ministry

While saying the main reason for irregularities in the vaccination drive is influential requests made by various parties, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath requested people not to make such requests and thereby cause inconvenience to the health officials.

Over 83,000 armed forces, police personnel vaccinated

A total number of 83,430 personnel from the three armed forces and police have been administered with Astra-Zeneca COVISHIELD vaccine against COVID-19, up to date, since the commencement of the vaccination roll out in the country.

Isolation order lifted in several areas in Kattankudy

The isolation order in several areas in Kattankudy MOH area in Batticale District has been lifted from 5.00 am tomorrow, head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Over 440,000 individuals inoculated

A total number of 441,976 Oxford–AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines have been administered as of today, said the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health.

Burials of COVID-19 victims allowed only after relevant guidelines

Burials of COVID-19 victims will only be permitted after relevant guidelines are issued, Director General Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said.

748 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 748 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 78,373, the Health Ministry said.

Five more die of COVID-19: Death toll increases to 464

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 464 with five more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services, the Government Information Department said.

People aged 30 and above in high risk areas in Colombo, Gampaha to be vaccinated

Health Ministry has decided to provide COVISHIELD vaccines to all those who are above 30 years in the Grama Niladhari Divisions in high risk COVID-19 spread areas in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts.

COVID-19 recoveries exceed 77,000

A total of 664 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 77,625, the Health Ministry said.

Burial of COVD-19 victims: Imran Khan thanks SL government for lifting ban

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan took it to Twitter to thank the Sri Lankan leadership to allowing the burial of Muslim COVD-19 victims.

Gazette allowing burial of COVID-19 bodies issued

The Extraordinary Gazette Notification allowing the burial of COVID-19 bodies has been issued.

Technical committee gives clearance; ban on COVID-19 burial revoked

The government decided today to allow the burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims after the technical committee appointed in this regard gave clearance, a Minister said today.

Senior citizens in CMC territory to be vaccinated from Saturday

All senior citizens above 60 years of age in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) territory would be vaccinated with Oxford-AstraZeneca within 14 days from Saturday (27), Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayake said.

Another consignment of Oxford-AstraZenica COVISHIELD vaccines arrive

Another consignment of 500,000 Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccines have been brought to the country from India a short while ago, Indian Airlines Katunayake Airport Manager Saranath Peiris said.

Four more succumb to COVID-19

Four more COVID-19 deaths were reported today increasing the death toll in the country to 457, the Government Information Department said.

COVID-19: Major clusters on the wane, says Health Ministry

While saying it is too early to comment on the slight decrease in COVID-19 cases in the country at present, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said the major clusters in the country are on the declining stage.