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.

Are you wearing clothes? - Cardinal questions Sirisena

Action should be taken against former President Maithirpala Sirisena without delay as he has been held responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

20 injured in accident on Southern Expressway

At least twenty people were injured in an accident occurred at Millaniya on the Southern Expressway, Police said.

CBK questions Dayasiri why she is not invited to SLFP meeting

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has informed the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara to cancel the SLFP All Island Working Committee meeting scheduled for April 5 claiming it was against the party constitution.

Teacher from Ananda College tests COVID-19 positive

PCR tests were conducted on students of Ananda College, Colombo after a school teacher tested positive for COVID-19, Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union Secretary M. Balasuriya said today.

Cop seen assaulting lorry driver over accident, heavily condemned

An investigation into a video which circulated on social media earlier today, which showed a police officer mercilessly assaulting a civilian, has received wide spread condemnation on social media while police have launched an immediate investigation.

Tamil diaspora groups banned

The Government has banned a number of Tamil diaspora groups, including some influential organizations based in the UK.

SL not among top ten in ICC Cricket World Cup Super League

Sri Lanka Cricket team is not among the top ten in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League while England have climbed to the top following their victory over India.

SL to receive vaccines from India despite temporary halt

Sri Lanka will be getting the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines from India despite the temporary halt imposed by India on the export of the vaccines, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, the State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation said.

UN begins monitoring Sri Lanka

The resolution on Sri Lanka which was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council will take immediate effect with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) beginning the process to closely monitor Sri Lanka, UN sources told Daily Mirror last night.

D-Day for Sri Lanka in Geneva

Vote on resolution today shortly after 9 am Geneva time

Sri Lanka and China sign US$ 1.5 billion currency swap deal

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) have entered into a bilateral currency swap agreement amounting to US$ 1.5 billion.

Vote on Sri Lanka in Geneva postponed to tomorrow

The vote on the resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva has been postponed to tomorrow (Tuesday).

Missing boy returns home unharmed

A 16 year old boy who was reported missing, has returned home unharmed this evening, his mother told Daily Mirror.

Govt instructs to take down Ecocide mural ahead of protest

Following instructions issued allegedly by the President’s office, workers from the Colombo Municipal Council had begun taking down a massive mural which had been put up near the Nelum Pokuna, at the Vihara Maha Devi Park, a short while ago, which was depicting the ecocide which is presently taking place in Sri Lanka.

COVID-19 raises head in Colombo again

Colombo has recorded a sudden rise in Covid infections, after the numbers dropped over the past couple of weeks.

Quarantine measures for all incoming passengers/tourists issued

The Health Ministry today issued quarantine measures for all incoming passengers or tourists arriving from overseas during the pandemic of COVID-19, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardana said.

Ex UL official fails to appear before Indian judge for sentencing

A former SriLankan Airlines official, found guilty of insulting the modesty of an employee, failed to appear before an Indian Magistrate today for sentencing.