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.

No quarantine, only PCR tests for Chinese delegation: Govt.

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said today the Chinese delegation would not undergo a quarantine process, but they would be subjected to a PCR test upon their arrival.

Be watchful next seven days, says Army Commander

The people living outside the curfew areas had been requested to be watchful when travelling or visiting public places as next seven days would be crucial in terms of reporting novel Covid-19 cases from society, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Harin’s PCR test suggestion triggers furore in Parliament

The Twitter message posted by SJB MP Harin Fernando that he had got a PCR test done, triggered a uproar in Parliament as government MP Premalal C. Dolawatte requesting that Mr. Fernando should go in for isolation.

Security beefed up at Immigration Detention Camp in Mirihana

Security has been beefed up at the Immigration and Emigration Department Detention Centre to keep a close tab on its foreign detainees and their carefree movements following the sudden emergence of a local Covid-19 patient from the community in Divulapitiya yesterday.

Man pushed to death from housing complex in Kollupitiya

Four suspects were arrested yesterday for killing a 27-year-old man by pushing him from a fifth floor of a housing complex in Kollupitiya after being assaulted and stabbed, Police said.

#IshiniGate: Social media influencer promises to return money

A social media influencer has promised to return large sums of donations secured to assist families affected by the Easter Sunday attacks after she was accused on social media of fraud, in an incident now tagged as #IshiniGate.

Mother finds son lost during tsunami

Abusali Sithi, a resident of Ampara is claiming that she has found her son who was five years old when he went missing in the deadly 2004 tsunami.

LRH staff clarifies statement by senior professor

Commenting on the recent severe criticism by Prof A.H. Sheriffdeen on the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) staff over their failure to promptly treat a 10-year-old boy with a ruptured appendix, the Paediatric Surgeons collective at LRH said the events that had taken place were misrepresented by the professor.

Thajudeen murder case: HC adjudicates case as key suspect dead

The case involving the suspicious death of rugby player Wasim Thajudeen was adjudicated in the Colombo High Court yesterday as former Chief JMO of Colombo Prof; Ananda Samarasekera who was the suspect in this case, had passed away.

Fmr President solely responsible for Easter Sunday carnage: Pujith

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has to take the sole responsibility of the coordinated terror attack that took place on April 21, 2019, and the tragic incident was a well planned attack, former IGP Pujith Jayasundara yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Covid-19 centre not informed of Russian passengers placement: Army Chief

Officials of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPC) was not informed of where the Russian passengers were placed, following their arrival, Army Commander Shavendra Silva.

MEAP confirms marine pollution by MT New Diamond

The Panel of Scientists appointed by Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has confirmed marine pollution by the oil leak from ill-fated Crude Oil Tanker MT New Diamond.

SriLankan faces two more cases in India

Sri Lanka’s national airline, SriLankan Airlines is facing at least two more court cases in India after a former regional manager of SriLankan Airlines was recently convicted after being accused of an alleged sexual harassment of a former Indian employee of the airline.

Four more petitions filed challenging 20th Amendment

Another four petitions were filed before the Supreme Court challenging the 20th Amendment to the Constitution bringing the total petitions to six.

‘Chinese only’ casino den in luxury Kollupitiya condominium raided

A highly confidential ‘Chinese only’ casino den carried out on the 28th floor of a luxury condominium apartment in Kollupitiya without any licence and even when gaming centres are still not been permitted to open owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, was raided by the Colombo City Excise officials last night.

'UN should place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs'

In a pre-recorded statement at the High-Level Meeting to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations today, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, ‘We expect the United Nation will place due emphasis on non-interference in domestic affairs of other states.

Indictments filed against Ravi, Arjun Aloysius

The Bribery Commission has filed indictments against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Ltd’s (PTL) Owner Arjun Aloysius at the Colombo High Court over leasing of an apartment in Kollupitiya.

Kandy building collapse: Bodies of parents recovered

The bodies of parents of the infant child, which was trapped under the debris of the building collapsed on the hotel in Buwelikada, Kandy had been recovered, an official said.