Dr. Anil Jasinghe to return to Covid-19 committee meetings

Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that former Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe would participate in future Covid-19 prevention committee meetings.

Group of inmates at Welikada prison stages protest

A group of about 15 Inmates of the Welikada Remand Prison has launched a protest on top of the prison complex’s roof, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.

Dr. Jayaruwan resigned voluntarily: Health Minister tells parliament

Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi addressing parliament today said that former Health Ministry Spokesperson Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara resigned from the position voluntarily.

Rapid Antigen test to begin today: Dr. Samaraweera

Rapid Antigen tests will be carried out from today to identify COVID-19 patients after the Director General of Health Services approved the test yesterday, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Minor tremor felt in Pallekele

A minor earth tremor was reported this morning at Ambakote, Pallekele in Kandy, a senior official of the Seismic Data & Tsunami Alert Centre (SDTAC) said.

Bogambara prison escape: One inmate dies, two injured

One inmate had died while two inmates and two Prison Officers were injured when Prisons Officer used minimum force to thwart an attempt made by five inmates, who were under quarantine at the Bogambara Old Prison to escape last midnight, Prisons Commissioner Thushara Upuldeniya said today.

CID seeks Interpol help to trace duo in Japan & Australia over social media fake news

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is to seek International Police Organisation (Interpol) assistance to trace two suspects living in Japan and Australia over circulating fake news related to COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka on social media.

Coronavirus cannot be eradicated by isolating the community: GMOA

Community-related disease like Coronavirus can never be eradicated by isolating the community, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Five more Covid-19 deaths reported; toll climbs to 66

The toll of Covid-19 deaths in Sri Lanka increased to 66 with five more Covid-10 related deaths being reported today.

Dilip Wedaarachchi eats raw fish

Former State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development SJB MP Dilip Wedaarachchi ate a raw fish during a news conference held at the Opposition Leader’s office today(17) in order to encourage people to consume fish without fear of COVID-19 virus on them.

Must undergo 14-day quarantine even if PCR is negative: Dr. Samaraweera

Those who were subjected to PCR tests must undergo a two-week quarantine process even if they have tested negative for Covid-19, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

CID to seek Interpol help to trace duo in Japan & Australia over social media fake news

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is to seek International Police Organization (Interpol) assistance to trace two suspects living in Japan and Australia over circulating fake news related to Covid-19 deaths in Sri Lanka on social media.

Two more Covid-19 deaths reported

Two males aged 54 and 45 passed away due to Covid-19 increasing the total number of COVID- 19 deaths in Sri Lanka to 48, the Government Information Department said.

14-day quarantine for those who left Western Province

A special operation has been conducted in the eight provinces except in the Western Province to apprehend the persons who have left the Province after the travel restrictions were imposed, police said.

Drone cameras to monitor public movements in isolated areas

A special operation will be launched today to monitor public movements in the isolated areas using drone cameras, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Army establishes drone regiment

Sri Lanka Army has established a Drone Regiment to monitor the activities on the ground, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Only five Covid-19 deaths due to viral infection, others due to chronic diseases: Army Chief

Army Commander Shavendra Silva said today that only five deaths among the total Covid-19 deaths reported in the country were caused by the viral infection while all the other deaths were caused by chronic diseases.

Inmates launch protest at Old Bogambara Prison

A group of inmates at the Old Bogambara Prison in Kandy have commenced a protest on the prison rooftop.

45th Covid-19 death reported

A 68-year-old female from Colombo 10 died at her residence due to Covid-19 reporting as the 45th Covid-19 death in Sri Lanka, the Government Information Department said.

Three more succumbed to Covid-19: Death toll climbs to 44

Three more COVID-19 deaths were reported in Sri Lanka increasing the death toll to 44, Director General of Health Services said.

Committee appointed to review Covid-19 related deaths

With the sudden increase in Covid-19 deaths in the country for the last three weeks, a panel of experts was appointed by the Director-General of Health Services to evaluate the deaths related to Covid-19, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Special ambulance service in lockdown areas: Police

A special ambulance service has been introduced in lockdown areas in Colombo and suburbs, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said today.

One track on Coastal Line closed until Sunday: Railway Dept.

One line between Kollupitiya and Bambalapitiya Railway Stations on the Coastal Line will be closed for five days from today due to repair work, the Railways Department said.

SJB raises questions on Rapid Antigen tests

Raising questions on the newly imported Rapid Antigen test kits, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday charged that the kits have been imported into the country before the evaluation of tenders were completed and before obtaining the validation from the Health Ministry.

Still no change to current procedure of cremation: Health Ministry

Ministry of Health says that it has not taken a decision to change the current procedure of cremation of those who succumbed to COVID-19, Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara said.

Rishad further remanded

MP Rishad Bathiudeen who is in remand prison, was further remanded till November 13 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Court issues interim order suspending Mawanella PS session

The Mawanella Magistrate’s Court today issued an interim order suspending sessions of Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha for seven days, Police said.

Will not support the new COVID Transport Policy: Private Bus Associations

Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) yesterday informed the Transport Ministry that they will not support the new COVID Transport Policy which is to be introduced today.

Health Ministry must update the current COVID-19 testing algorithm: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said the time has come for the Health Ministry to update the current COVID-19 testing algorithm as soon as possible.

Kandana, Mahabage declared as isolated areas

Kandana and Mahabage police areas had been declared as isolated areas with immediate effect, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.