Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera has passed away while being treated for COVID-19 infection at a private hospital in Colombo.

The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (23) approved importing 300,000 liters of liquid medical oxygen weekly which is required to treat COVID-19 patients who are in critical condition.

The fact that those aged over 60 had not been fully vaccinated by now reflected a flaw in the inoculation programme, Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) Secretary, Dr. Senal Fernando said.

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves were strengthened by US$ 780 million yesterday (23) upon the receipt of its 0.12 per cent special drawing rights (SDR) allocation from a total sum of $ 650 billion disbursed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for distressed countries like Sri Lanka impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

None of those who espoused the lockdown have practical solutions to revive the economy hard hit by the pandemic, said Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday.

Another shipment of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines purchased by the government of Sri Lanka arrived on the island this morning (August 24).

194 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for August 22, increasing the death toll to 7,560.

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers today (23) decided to donate the salaries of all Cabinet Ministers for the Month of August to the COVID-19 fund.

Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen has been named as the fifth suspect in the case pertaining to the death of Jude Kumar Ishalini, 16-year-old domestic worker at his residence.

All measures have been made by the District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats to provide the allowance of Rs. 2000 to those who have lost their livelihoods due to the quarantine curfew being imposed…

Sri Lanka Navy Ship ‘Shakthi’ carrying 40 tonnes of medical oxygen from India, arrived at the Colombo Port this morning (23), according to the navy spokesman.

A doctor, attached to the Magazine Prison in Borella, has lodged a complaint with the Police that he had been threatened with death by SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen.

183 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for August 21, increasing the death toll to 7,366.

Indian Navy Ship INS Shakti reached Colombo Harbour today (22) with 100 Tonnes of liquid medical oxygen purchased by the Sri Lanka government from India.

Issuing a statement, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says that it has been brought to the attention of the Central Bank that messages are being circulated stating that credit card, debit card, and other stored value card holders are restricted/prohibited from making certain payments in foreign exchange, to persons residing outside Sri Lanka using such cards.

The prevailing domestic Liquid Petroleum (LP) gas scarcity in the country will be settled from tomorrow (23), Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.