Schools in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara cannot be opened: GL

Schools in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts cannot be reopened now, Minister of Education Professor G. L. Peiris told Parliament yesterday.

Development budget to elevate a shattered economy: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, read out the budget speech envisaging the new government’s development priorities and policies aimed at reviving the shattered economy.

Lock-down Colombo city for at least two weeks: Colombo Mayor

Asserting that new COVID-19 clusters are appearing in the Colombo City, Mayor Rosy Senanayake yesterday called for a lock-down of the city for at least two weeks, to contain the spread.

Sri Lankans stranded overseas to arrive from Nov 18

The repatriation of Sri Lankan citizens overseas which was temporarily suspended will resume next week, with five special flights designated to repatriate Sri Lankans from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Italy, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.

30 per cent of Colombo’s high-risk areas test COVID positive

At least 30 people out of 100 people who are randomly tested in high-risk areas within the Colombo city detected as COVID positive, forcing the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) to increase the number of PCR tests by five fold, Chief Medical Officer Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni said today.

Employees at 84 institutions allowed to use office ID as curfew passes

Police yesterday issued a special circular allowing employees at 84 institutions, including government agencies, corporations, statutory boards and the media to use their official identity cards as curfew passes.

Multiple scenarios emerge in hunt for patient zero

Multiple scenarios have emerged in the hunt for patient zero linked to the Minuwangoda and Peliyagoda coronavirus clusters.

Curfew will not be extended in several areas of Western Province after Monday - Army Chief

Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak, Lt. General Shavendra Silva says a curfew in several areas in the Western Province which is currently in effect will be lifted as planned on Monday at 5 am and this will not be extended.

Speaker signs 20A making it effective from today

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene placed his signature on 20th Amendment to the Constitution a short while ago making it effective from today.

Security, economic development to feature in talks with Pompeo

Security, economic development and the technology sector cooperation will feature in bilateral discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today, Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardane said yesterday.

Probe spread of COVID-19 from Brandix: AG to police

Attorney General Dappula De Livera today directed the Acting IGP to submit a report within two weeks, after investigating the COVID-19 spread from Brandix.

US Secretary of State due here tomorrow

The Secretary of State of the United States of America, Michael R. Pompeo is to visit Sri Lanka from 27 to 28 October.

Curfew in Gampaha Dist. to continue until further notice

The quarantine curfew imposed in Gampaha District will continue until further notice, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

Quarantine curfew in Dematagoda, Maradana until further notice

Quarantine curfew was imposed in Dematagoda and Maradana with immediate effect until further notice to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said today.

US to offer options for SL on economic development partnership

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will present options for Sri Lanka to partner with the US on economic development, Deputy Assistant Secretary Dean Thompson said on Thursday.

Police curfew imposed in five areas in Colombo

Police quarantine curfew had been imposed in Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloumendhal, Grandpass and Wellampitiya police areas with immediate effect till 5.00 a.m on Monday to contain spread of COVID-19, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said today.

Draft of new Constitution expected in six months

The preliminary draft of a new Constitution is expected to be ready in six months, the Government said yesterday.

Madush killed to stop names of drug-trafficking politicos being revealed: NPP

Notorious underworld figure Makandure Madush was killed to prevent the names of politicians involved in the drug trafficking being disclosed in Court, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath said today.

Coronavirus can live on skin for 9 hours: Japan study

The new coronavirus can survive on the surface of human skin for around nine hours, some five times the period influenza can, a team of researchers in Japan has found.

VIP threatening case: Podi Lassie granted bail

Underworld figure Arumahandi Janith Madushanka Silva alias Podi Lassie was granted bail by the Galle Magistrate in connection with the case of threatening several VIPs including the President.

Yoshitha new Chief of Staff to PM

Yoshitha Rajapaksa has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Prime Minister’s Office said Yoshitha assumed duties in the new post yesterday.

Colombo identified as high-risk area for COVID: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said the Colombo district has been identified as a high-risk area for coronavirus in addition to the Gampaha District.

Curfew to be imposed in other high-risk areas if required: Army Chief

Authorities are monitoring the daily updates of Covid-19 cases reported across the country and steps will be taken to impose curfew in areas where a considerable number of positive cases are reported, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

No proper analysis conducted on National Security prior to attacks: Ranil

No appropriate analysis was conducted over the threats related to National Security at the time of Easter Sunday coordinated terror attacks, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

About 33 patients had Covid-19 symptoms before woman worker was detected

Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Commander of the Army Lt General Shavendra Silva stated that information had been received to the effect that there had been 33 employees at the Brandix Apparel factory suffering from cough and cold before the woman worker with symptoms of Covid-19 was found at the company.

Seven at Brandix Kollupitiya test positive for COVID-19

Seven employees at Brandix Head Office, Kollupitiya, who were identified as close contacts of Minuwangoda Brandix Factory employees, tested positive for COVID-19, CMC sources said.

No need of referendum when govt. incorporates SC proposals to 20A: GL

Education Minister Professor G.L. Peiris today said there will be no legal requirement to go for a referendum in terms of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution’s draft when the government incorporates all proposals, if any, recommended by the Supreme Court.

103 more Covid-19 cases reported

A total of 103 Covid-19 positive cases were reported today, the Information Department said.

100 Govt. MPs submit letter to Prez calling for probe into Riyaj Bathiudeen’s release

A group of over 100 Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs today handed over letters to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa calling for an investigation into the release of Riyaj Bathiudeen.

Bathiudeen’s brother helped Zahran to flee to India: Ex-Army Chief

The Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) in 2018 had informed at an Intelligence Review Meeting (IRM) that National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) Leader Zahran Hashim had fled to India in a boat and was assisted by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother, former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake on Wednesday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.