The Cabinet of Ministers has granted powers to Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa to take necessary steps to resolve the current shortage of powdered milk in the domestic market.

While stressing that the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka is extremely grim, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) called upon the Government to impose curfew as it is the only successful means of curtailing people’s movement in the country.

The World Health Organization’s director of immunization, vaccination, and biologics argues it may be too early to push for population-level COVID-19 booster shots, especially when many people around the world have not even received their first dose.

The Cabinet has decided that the best way to resolve issues faced by teachers is to address salary anomalies of the entire government sector in the next budget.

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong says that the Chinese Government is giving priority to providing all assistance to control the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka.

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

Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation Dr. Prasanna Gunasena says a third vaccine dose against the coronavirus will be provided if the need arises.

Colombo Magistrate’s Court has rejected the bail applications filed by four suspects including the wife of MP Rishad Bathiudeen and further remanded them until August 23.

The All Ceylon Ports General Employees Union has organized a protest in the Colombo Fort area today (09).

Minister of Education G.L. Peiris says there is no possibility to reopen schools in the first week of September, as planned previously.

It is strange that the Government is blaming protesters for the increase in COVID-19 patients, despite the fact that even MPs have contracted COVID-19, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa expects to save foreign exchange by reducing the import of goods and increasing domestic production.

Both the Government and the people should be held responsible for the present COVID-19 situation, Public Health Inspectors’ Association President Upul Rohana said.

A probe is underway after a Hindu religious gathering was held in a temple in Batticaloa today after pictures of the commemoration circulated online sparking anger as to why it was held amidst a rapidly spreading COVID-19 pandemic.

As the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread in Sri Lanka at an alarmingly rapid speed, the number of oxygen-dependent patients has soared by 75% within the past 10 days, Health Ministry’s data showed.

The Opposition claims the arrival of a group of Russian tourists contributed to the spread of the Delta virus variant in the country. Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka said the Criminal Investigation Department must conduct an investigation pertaining to the matter.