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.



Special Commodity Levy imposed on a series of food items

An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued imposing a Special Commodity Levy on several items, including Sprats, Dried fish, Kurakkan flour, mustard seeds and salt.



Failure to prevent COVID-19 deaths worse than not thwarting Easter attacks – JVP

The JVP yesterday said that the government’s failure to prevent COVID-19 deaths was worse than the Yahapalana government’s lapses that led to the Easter Sunday terror attacks.



155 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Thursday (12)

155 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for August 12, increasing the death toll to 5,775.



Travel between provinces completely prohibited

Travel between the provinces will be restricted for two weeks from midnight today (13), Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.



No island-wide lockdown

Country will not go for a lockdown but travel restrictions could be further tightened, State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana said.