Category: Local News

167 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Sunday (15)

Sri Lanka yesterday recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.



SSP Nihal Thalduwa appointed as new Police Media Spokesman

Senior DIG Ajith Rohana has been removed from the post of Police Media Spokesman and Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Thalduwa has been appointed as the new Police Media Spokesman with immediate effect.



Cabinet Reshuffle: 07 Ministers receive new portfolios

Seven Ministers were handed new portfolios today (16) in a cabinet reshuffle which got underway at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.



Rishad’s brother-in-law arrested over rape granted bail

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother-in-law, Mohamed Ziyabdeen was released on a personal bail of Rs. 500,000/- by Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala today (16).



Government prepared for lockdown if experts recommend – State Minister

The Government is prepared to go for a lockdown if health and other experts recommend, Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation State Minister Prof.Channa Jayasumana said yesterday.



Blood Bank running low on reserves

The blood reserves at the National Blood Transfusion Service appear to have depleted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Director of the National Blood Centre (NBC) Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, who also said that 950 to 1,000 units of blood are required daily.



JVP tells people to ensure their own protection instead of waiting for lockdowns

The JVP yesterday called on people to adopt all possible measures to ensure their protection without waiting till the government to impose lockdowns.



161 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Saturday (14)

Sri Lanka yesterday recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.



Island-wide curfew from 10pm to 4pm daily

Island-wide curfew will be imposed from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am every day from tomorrow (August 16) until further notice, says Army Commander, General Shavendra Silva.



No weddings from Tuesday (17) – No social gatherings from tonight (15)

Sri Lanka has decided not to allow weddings to take place at homes or reception halls with effect from midnight on Tuesday (17).



Big gap in COVID-19 figures issued by Health Ministry’s two units

There is a major discrepancy in the COVID-19 case numbers being issued by two units of the Health Ministry.



Cardinal appeals Catholics to raise black flags on August 21

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith requested all Catholics in the archdiocese and others to raise black flags on August 21 in protest against the failure to mete out justice to Easter Sunday victims by the authorities.



160 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Friday (13)

Sri Lanka yesterday recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.



Sri Lanka to purchase 100 metric tons of oxygen from India

The Sri Lankan government has decided to purchase 100 metric tonnes of oxygen from India every week for COVID-19 treatment centres.



Experts predict 30,000 deaths by January 2022

At current levels of mobility restrictions, the number of cases would increase up to 6,000 cases per day by mid-September and deaths up to early October coming to a peak around 220 deaths per day.



Milk powder importers still insist on Rs. 260 price hike a kilo

The milk powder importers still insist on a price hike of at least Rs. 260 for a packet of one kilo despite tax exemptions and by the slight drop of world market prices.