Islandwide curfew to be imposed on Sunday

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, after consulting health authorities and the tri force commanders on Wednesday night has decided to impose a nationwide curfew on Sunday to avoid the unnecessary congregation of people amidst a sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 patients.

We must never lower our guard Just because Govt. relaxed curfew

The health guidelines and advisories issued early this month to be effective from May 11 for the state and private sector establishments and their employees will be applied to the entire country after curfew is relaxed countrywide from tomorrow onwards, a top health official said.

Security beefed across SL as nationwide curfew comes into effect

Security has been beefed across Sri Lanka as a 2 day nation wide curfew came into effect from 8pm on Saturday with nearly 1000 road blocks set up in all districts, the police said.

Not possible to hold election on June 20 under current situation: EC

The Elections Commission informed the Supreme Court today that it is not possible to conduct the General Elections on June 20 under the current situation in the country.

SC commences hearing FR petitions against General Election date

Consideration of seven Fundemental Rights petitions challenging the election date, commenced before a five-judge Supreme Court bench.

HC sets aside Magistrate’s bail order on Rajitha

The Colombo High Court has set aside a bail order issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate on former Minister Rajitha Seneratna over the ’white van’ press conference case.

President underscores importance of random sample testing

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has highlighted the importance of conducting random sample PCR tests in areas where people frequent regularly, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Set of guidelines issued on restoring normalcy in civilian life

Police has issued a set of guidelines to be followed by the people on restoring normalcy in civilian life while the quarantine curfew is being implemented.

FR petitions: Not in position to appear for EC, AG informs court

Attorney General Dappula de Livera has informed the Supreme Court that he is not in a position to appear for the Elections Commission and its members in the Fundamental Right petitions filed challenging the date of the Election, AG’s co-ordinating officer, State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

Govt yet to categorize who can open on May 11

Despite the government stating that curfew will be relaxed for public and private sector businesses to re-open from May 11, the Daily Mirror learns that this has caused severe confusion among the public on which businesses can function from Monday as no specific categories has been listed to date.

Cabinet nod to provide land to install statue of Nelson Mandela

The Cabinet has granted permission to provide space from the land owned by the Colombo Municipal Library premises to install a statue to respect Nelson Mandela, a former President of South Africa.

President optimistic that economy could be re-built

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is optimistic that the economy adversely affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic could be re-built on a solid basis, the President’s Media Division said.

Legal actions against 20 fmr ministers for not handing back their official residences

The Public Administration Ministry will file a lawsuit order against 20 minsters and two officials of the previous government for not vacating the official residences assigned to them during the office, an official said today.

EC should follow procedure established by law: AG

The Attorney General has informed the Election Commission that it is required to follow the procedure established by law for the conduct of Parliamentary Elections 2020, AG’s Coordinating Secretary said.

SriLankan to bring Lankan students in UK, Australia

SriLankan Airlines would operate repatriation flights to bring Sri Lankan students from London, UK and Melbourne, Australia, the Airlines said.

21,000 PCR tests so far, only 3% tested positive - PMD

A total of 21,000 PCR tests have been conducted so far and only 3% out of this figure has been confirmed as infected, Presidential Media Division said.

Body bags sought to maintain stock of medical supplies: Jasinghe

Health Services Director Dr. Anil Jasinghe said today that the Health Ministry requested the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) 1,000 body bags not with the expectation of a possible increase of COVID 19 casualties but on the Health Ministry policy of maintaining a specific stock of medical supplies.

Curfew to be relaxed in two stages

Curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttlam districts will continue to remain until May 04 while curfew in all other districts will be relaxed from April 27, the President’s Media Division said.

No decision should be taken outside the Constitution: Maha Sangha

Stating that the country should not be put in jeopardy by reconvening the old Parliament, Maha Sangha had said no decision should be taken outside the Constitution, the President’s Media Division said.

Karu rejects reports of reconvening parliament

Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya today rejected the reports that said he would reconvene the Parliament unilaterally.

11 families in Piliyandala sent for Quarantine

Health authorities had taken step to quarantine 66 individuals from eleven families in Piliyandala MOH area after a patient infected with COVID-19 was identified today.

Curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam extended till Monday

The ongoing curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam Districts will remain in force until 5.00am on Monday (27), President’s Media Division said today.

SriLankan flight suspension extended till April 30

The suspension of scheduled flights of SriLankan Airlines due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has been extended till April 30, the Airlines said.

Updated announcement on curfew

The curfew imposed in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna which have been identified as High Risk Zones will continue until further notice, while in all other districts, curfew has been extended till 6.00am on Thursday, the 16th April, President’s Media Division said.

Number of COVID-19 infected increased to 197

The number of COVID-19 infected patients has increased to 197 with seven positive cases reported today, the Health Ministry said.

COVID-19 spread may be slowing in high temperature - SL researcher

The COVID-19 pandemic may not spiral out of control in countries such as Sri Lanka due to its high temperature and high humidity levels as it has been noticed that the pandemic is causing a wider spread in low temperature countries, independent local researcher, Huzefa Akbarally said.

Expedite COVID-19 testings as over 40,000 associated with confirmed cases: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) today urged the health authorities to speed up the COVID-19 testing of some 42,000 personnel who have been in contact with over 160 patients tested positive for the virus in the country.

Curfew in six districts to continue until further notice

The curfew imposed in all other districts except Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttalam, Kandy and Jaffna will be lifted at 6 am tomorrow (6) and will be re-imposed at 2 pm on the same day, the President’s Media Division said today.

Reports of total lockdown of country false: Police

Reports circulating on social media of a complete lockdown enforced from April 10 to 15 where food supply and delivery would be suspended are completely false, Police spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne said.

Fifth COVID-19 death in SL, a 44-year-old returnee from Italy

A fifth person died from COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health said.