Category: Local News

Centres to be set up in Colombo for those not vaccinated

Minister Namal Rajapaksa says five centres will be established for COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals who are yet to receive the vaccine in the Colombo city limits.



Opposition Leader stresses the need to address issues of health workers

Making a special statement he said health workers are carrying out their work despite high risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic he said has turned the whole world upside down.



Fishermen feeling the impact of Sri Lanka ship disaster

Sri Lanka’s fishermen are already feeling the impact of an unfolding environmental disaster caused by the slow sinking of a fire-ravaged cargo ship that had been loaded with chemicals.



UK adds seven countries to travel ‘red list’, including Sri Lanka

Britain added seven countries, including Egypt and Sri Lanka, to its “red list” of destinations that require hotel quarantine on return to England on Thursday



U.S. announces global COVID-19 vaccine sharing plan

The United States announced Wednesday that it plans to send 25 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to countries around the world, including Sri Lanka, by the end of June.



Ship owners agree to make interim payment for damages

The owners of Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl which caught fire off Colombo Port have agreed to make an interim payment to Sri Lanka for the damage done to the marine environment of the country, an official said.



42 more die of COVID-19: Death toll increases to 1,608

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 1,608 with 42 more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today (03), the Government Information Department said.



Namal Rajapaksa takes oath in new State Ministry

Minister Namal Rajapaksa was sworn in as the State Minister of Digital Technology and Entrepreneur Development before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today (03).



Landslide warnings issued on six districts

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for six districts – Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Matara, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura.



Sajith calls for all party conference over COVID

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa has requested the government to call an all party conference and formulate a plan to safeguard the public from the coronavirus pandemic.



No decision on administering only first dose of Sputnik V vaccine – State Minister

No decision has been taken yet with regard to the administering of only the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine, State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said on Tuesday.



Government failed to ensure ship complied with International laws – JVP

Even if the ill-fated MV X-Press Pearl did not reveal the goods it was carrying before reaching Sri Lankan waters, the responsibility still lies with the Government for failing to ensure that the ship complies with international laws, claimed JVP Propaganda Secretary Vijitha Herath.



39 more die of COVID-19: Death toll increases to 1,566

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 1,566 with 39 more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today (02), the Government Information Department said.



Islandwide travel restrictions further extended until June 14

Islandwide travel restrictions will be further extended until June 14, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.



X-Press Pearl cargo ship sinks off Sri Lanka amid fears of environmental disaster

A chemical-laden X-Press Pearl cargo ship is sinking off the coast of Sri Lanka amid fears of a major environmental disaster.



Post offices to function from tomorrow for limited services

All Post offices and Sub Post offices across the country will function from tomorrow (03), to provide limited services.