Four areas in Jaffna, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts have been isolated with effect from this morning (July 01), says the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

The Ministry of Environment has informed three main soft drink manufacturers to formulate a programme in two weeks to recycle plastic drink bottles before banning its usage.

The Government has decided to obtain a $150 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to help finance its fight against the spread of and better management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Co-Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said a full investigation has been carried out to find out whether the Archaeological Act or any other Act has been violated during the rehabilitation of the Tissamaharama tank in Hambantota.

Twenty persons including eight females who had attended a wedding ceremony at a home at Pallemulla in Panadura in violation of quarantine laws have been quarantined for 14 days at the same place.

The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) has issued an updated announcement on the isolation orders.

Sri Lanka’s central bank on Monday called for further import restrictions to address a crippling foreign exchange crisis, following a string of loans from Asian neighbours including impoverished Bangladesh.

Two currency swap arrangements in the pipeline with India’s Reserve Bank are key components in the immediate work plan of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to boost its reserves, bank’s chief WD Lakshman said.

According to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Director General Health Services, all parties, tamashas and public and private gatherings have been banned with immediate effect, Police Media Spokesman Acting Senior DIG Ajith Rohana said yesterday (28).

Sri Lanka has decided to temporarily ban air passengers with a recent travel history to several countries in the Middle East during the last 14 days, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced.

Several localities in Colombo and Gampaha districts have been isolated with effect from 6.00 am today (June 29), the Army Commander General Shavendra Silva announced.

The Ministry of Health has said asymptomatic COVID-19 patients can be treated in their own homes.

Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila has reportedly informed the last Cabinet meeting that what had forced the Government to increase the domestic fuel price had been the scarcity of US dollars.

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday charged that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s speech last Friday failed to address the key issues faced by the country, indicating lack of direction and attempting to shift blame to the public for national woes.

Several areas in Ratnapura and Monaragala districts have been isolated with immediate effect, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.