83 ORIT apparel employees test positive with COVID-19

Eighty-three employees of the ORIT apparel factory in Avissawella tested positive with COVID-19 yesterday.

Russian Envoy alerts Minister Weerasekara on terrorist financing

Russian Ambassador Yury B. Materiy apprised Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara about terrorist financing activities by extremist groups under the pretext of providing COVID-19 aid.

National Research Council yet to receive proposal on ’Dhammika Paniya’

The National Research Council of Sri Lanka (NRC) has said that the Council is yet to receive the proposal on the syrup used for Covid-19 by Ayurvedic practitioner Dhammika Bandara from Kegalle.

PHI clearance compulsory for Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak, Kataragama

Public travelling to Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak and Kataragama will not be able to lodge at any hotel in those areas if the guests fail to produce a PHI clearance report that they are COVID-19 free, PHI Union Secretary Mahesh Balasuriya told Daily Mirror.

Isolation imposed on several GN divisions in Colombo, Gampaha lifted

The isolation imposed on two Grama Niladari Divisions in the Colombo District and three Grama Niladari Divisions in the Gampaha District will be lifted with effect from 5.00 am tomorrow (Monday), Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

Revised dietary guidelines issued for Sri Lankans

The Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine has launched a revised dietary guideline for Sri Lankans, in collaboration with the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Medicine man’s COVID-19 cure not approved

A potion promoted by ayurvedic practitioner Dhammika Bandara from Hettimulla, Kegalle has not been approved by the Health Ministry.

BIA to reopen for tourists from January

Sri Lanka is to reopen the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for foreign tourist arrivals by following a travel bubble system.

No complete lockdown of Western Province, public urged not to panic: Army Commander

The Western Province will not come under a complete lockdown during the festive season but areas where patients are reported will come under isolation till the situation is brought under control, Army Commander, Lt. General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror yesterday

Lockdown of several areas in Colombo, Gampaha to be lifted from tomorrow

The isolation status which are currently being imposed in several areas, especially in Colombo and Gampaha districts have been revised.

Medical consultants seek possibilities of treating COVID patients at private hospitals

A high-level delegation of medical experts had a discussion with Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva to explore the possibilities for accommodating COVID-19 patients for treatment at private sector hospitals.

Burevi makes landfall in Sri Lanka

Cyclone Burevi has made landfall in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Coast, the Department of Meteorology said.

SC rejects FR petitions challenging gazette notification Cremation of COVID-19 victims in Muslim and Catholic communities

The Supreme Court (SC) today rejected the examining of 12 Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed challenging the gazette notification regarding the cremation of COVID19 victims belonging to Muslim and Catholic communities.

Mahara Prison unrest: Eight inmates dead, 71 injured

A total of eight inmates were reportedly killed and nearly 71 other inmates were hospitalized during unrest taken place at the Mahara Prison yesterday, the Prisons Department said.

Unrest at Mahara Prison: Four bodies received to Ragama Hospital

The Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama said it had received four bodies following the tense situation at the Mahara Prison and 25 have been admitted to the hospital.

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.