Blame on arrest of protesters should go to Health DG not to police: Minister

While refusing claims that police were suppressing protests, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today protesters were arrested following health guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services and therefore, the blame should go to the Health DG not to the police.

Container ship en route from Colombo disabled, adrift after fire in Indian ocean

Container ship MSC MESSINA reportedly suffered fire in engine room in Indian ocean halfway between Sri Lanka and Malacca Strait, at around 1930 UTC Jun 24, foreign media reported.

Online petition compares Jeff Bezos to Superman villain ’Lex Luther’

An online petition nearing 10,000 signatures — and growing — is suggesting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos should be denied re-entry to Earth when he launches for space in July.

President directs officials to order vaccine stocks for third dose if required

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to order a batch of vaccine for a third dose, taking the ongoing global situation into account and based on the recommendations by the medical experts.

Melbourne COVID outbreak linked to an arrival from Sri Lanka

The source of Melbourne’s most worrying Covid cluster which has left millions locked down for two weeks has finally been found, a returned traveller from Sri Lanka who arrived in the city a month ago

No room should be left to cause disruptions to people’s lives: Prez tells Governors

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the Governors and District Secretaries today that they should personally intervene to maintain essential services and prevent any disruption to the lives of the people.

Russia tells SL: First dose provides sufficient protection

In what appeared to be another radical step in global vaccine development, Russia informed Sri Lanka that its Sputnik V could even be used as a single shot vaccine following new clinical data about the development of 70-80 percent efficacy level after the first jab, an official said.

President to decide today on islandwide travel restriction

The COVID-19 taskforce will meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at 11 am today to discuss the present situation in the country and when it is advisable for travel restrictions to be lifted, the Daily Mirror learns.

24 Black Fungus cases reported this year, nothing to do with COVID

Twenty four cases of the disease which is commonly called ‘Black Fungus’ and academically named ‘mucormycosis’ has been reported so far in the country this year, but none of them has tested positive for Covid-19, a medical expert said yesterday.

Apparel factory manager remanded for violating quarantine regulations

Galle Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana ordered the apparel factory Manager who provided false information on first level associates and made way for the spread of the virus by violating the quarantine regulations to be remanded until May 31. He was the manager of an apparel factory in Koggala Free Trade Zone.

Medical professionals stress need to go for two-week lockdown

While saying that it will not be long before the hospitals are flooded with patients, completely inundated and the medical staff are stretched way beyond their capacity, resulting in a serious breakdown of our health sector, Medical Professionals demanded the Government to go for a two-week lockdown or curfew.

SC determines certain sections of Port City Bill inconsistent with Constitution: Speaker

The Supreme Court has determined that certain sections of the Port City Economic Commission Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane announced a short while ago.

Island-wide travel restrictions from Friday

Island-wide travel restrictions will be imposed from 11 pm on Friday (21) to 4 am on May 25 continuously, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Several flights from India land at BIA

A number of flights from India landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) over the past few days amidst a ban on travellers from India.

All shops to be closed from 11 pm tonight to 4 am Monday

All shops should be closed from 11 p.m tonight till 4 a.m Monday, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Night travel restriction in effect from 11 pm tonight

Following immense confusion on whether the travel restriction will come into effect from today or tomorrow, Army Commander Shavendra Silva has clarified that the night restriction will come into effect from tonight.

Travel restrictions likely to be imposed

Travel restrictions between provinces will likely be implemented over the next few days, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

All essential services kept on alert as COVID-19 patients continue to rise

All essential services have been kept on alert in case the COVID-19 pandemic worsens further and authorities decide to go in for further isolations or even a partial lockdown this week, the Daily Mirror learns

Don’t allow Bathiudeen to attend Parliament until probes are completed: Minister

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara today requested the Speaker not to allow MP Rishard Bathiudeen, who was detained under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), to attend Parliament until the investigations against him are completed.

Schools should not be opened right now; Medical experts

One of the leading Covid-19 researcher and head of Jayawardenapura University’s Immunology and Molecular Sciences Department, Prof. Neelika Malavige reiterated that schools should not be opened right now as children are susceptible to the new variant which is fast spreading in Sri Lanka.

Medical specialists warn of potential oxygen crisis

While saying that oxygen is considered the most important medical need for COVID-19 at present, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said stocks of oxygen are likely to be in short supply and therefore the authorities must take all necessary steps to avoid a crisis.

Research begins on mixing vaccines

Research is underway on the possibility of mixing one Covid vaccine brand with another and the safety of giving two doses of another brand to an individual who has already obtained one dose of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine.

No move for complete lockdown: Army Chief

Despite the large number of COVID cases being reported in various parts of the country, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said that there is no move to go for a complete lockdown of the country and only some areas such as certain Grama Niladhari Divisions in the respective areas which are identified as high-risk zones would be isolated.

UL planning fully sponsored VVIP flight to Nairobi next week?

At the time of going to print, Sri Lankan Airlines was yet to respond to any of our queries

Certain amendments possible to Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill: Romesh de Silva PC

President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing on behalf of President’s Secretary P.B. Jayasundara in the intervening petition on the Port City Economic Commission Bill, told the Supreme Court that the acts of the Colombo Port City Commission could be also subjected to judicial review and the aggrieved parties could file Fundamental Rights petitions or take legal measures if there is any matter occurred within the Commission.

Steady rise in COVID cases in Colombo after New Year: Dr Wijeyamuni

Before the New Year, the CMC found only 1 or 2 COVID positive patients through 100 PCR tests. But after the New year, the rate has increased to eight persons in 100 PCR tests, Chief Medical Officer Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni said

Harin to make a political decision soon

SJB National list MP Harin Fernando yesterday said he will inform the nation about a major political decision he is to make in Parliament soon.

Mrs. World Caroline Jurie arrested

Reigning Mrs. World Caroline Jurie and former model Chula Padmendra were arrested by the Police a short while ago over the incident which took place at the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant on Sunday evening.

Navy insists ship from China still operational

The Sri Lanka Navy insisted that a ship gifted by China to Sri Lanka was fully operational, as speculation grew that the frigate was facing a number of technical issues.

Mrs. World international to go ahead in SL in Dec. despite brawl

The Mrs.world International pageant will go ahead in Sri Lanka as scheduled in December and the recent incident where the reigning Mrs. World, Caroline Jurie uncrowned Mrs Sri Lanka, attracting international attention will not have any impact, national Director for Mrs.sri Lanka for Mrs.world, Chandimal Jayasinghe said yesterday.