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.

Toll of COVID-19 cases rises 159

Eight people tested positive for COVID-19 so far today bringing the total cases in Sri Lanka to 159, the Health Ministry said.

GMOA proposes ‘Hammer and Dance Theory’ to control COVID-19

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has proposed ten steps ’’Hammer and Dance Theory’’ to control COVID-19 Outbreak in Sri Lanka. “All possible aggressive actions should be implemented immediately to control COVID-19,” it said.

Toll of Covid-19 patients rises to 143

Another 11 COVID-19 infected patients were reported in Sri Lanka as at 7.30 pm today, increasing the total number of cases to 143, the Health Ministry said.

Infected man had associated with more than 50 people: Minister

Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi today expressed her utmost disappointment and anger when the Police and Health authorities detected a 67-year-old COVID 19 infected individual who had dodged quarantine for more than a week and suspected of having infected over 50 other Sri Lankans in the last few days.

SL man in Switzerland dies from COVID-19

A Sri Lankan man living in Switzerland has died from COVID-19 virus on March 25, the Foreign Relations Ministry said.

Govt identifies period till April 10 as ’High risk’ - Bandula

The government has identified the period till April 10 , 2020 as a high risk period for the spread of coronavirus and therefore the curfew situation in the western province will continue, a minister said.

Four more COVID-19 patients discharged from IDH

Four more Sri Lankan patients who were infected with COVID-19 were completely recovered and discharged from the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) today, Hospital sources said.

Second Sri Lankan COVID-19 patient recovers

The second Sri Lankan COVID-19 infected patient completely recovered and has been discharged from the IDH, Angoda today, hospital sources said today.

Police seek public help to locate a group of returnees from Italy

Sri Lanka Police department has sought public support to identify at least 12 persons including infants who failed to undergo quarantine process, on their arrival from Italy recently.

86 total COVID-19 patients identified so far in SL

Five more patients have been tested positive for the virus since yesterday (22) in Sri Lanka, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases to 86, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Arrival Terminal continues to be closed indefinitely

To prevent the imported new cases of Coronavirus in the country, the Government has decided to indefinitely extend the closure of the arrival terminal at the Airport.

Island-wide curfew to be imposed until Monday

An island-wide curfew will be imposed from 6 pm today (20) until 6 am on Monday (23), the President’s Office announced.

Police curfew in Wattala, Ja-Ela until further notice

Police curfew has been imposed in the Wattala and Ja-Ela areas from today 10.00 pm until further notice, police said. They said the curfew was imposed in line with the measures which are being taken to prevent the COVID-19 spread.

Motor vehicle imports suspended for three months

The Central Bank (CB) today directed all banks to suspend facilitating importation of all types of motor vehicles for three months with immediate effect.

Seven more tested positive for COVID-19, toll reaches 59

Seven more persons tested positive for COVID-19 today bringing the toll of the positive cases to 59, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.