Stricter action will have to be to be taken in the future if the public does not properly follow the health safety guidelines issued to prevent the COVID-19, says the Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena.

Co-Cabinet Spokesman Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday assured that the Government has not taken any decision to relax any COVID-19 health regulations for tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Professor Channa Jayasumana has been appointed as the Acting Cabinet Minister of Health.

A decision has been reached to halt the importation of brown sugar, the State Ministry of Development of Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production and Promotion of Allied Products and Export said.

Pelwatte Dairy has secured Rs. 463 million from the Smallholder Agribusiness Partnerships Program (SAPP) to boost output.

Minister of Industries, Wimal Weerawansa, said the Opposition should not look to score brownie points at his expense, considering the politically pitiful state they find themselves in.

Six more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

Members of Parliament will be vaccinated with the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine from tomorrow (16), according to the Serjeant-at-Arms of the Sri Lanka Parliament Narendra Fernando.

COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public to begin from today from Western Province.

Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb sparked a fresh controversy on Saturday when he revealed Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) alleged ambition to form a government in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government has always taken care of the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils and ‘‘consistently’’ flagged the issue of their rights with the leaders in the island nation.

Sri Lanka Public Health Inspector’s Association President Upul Rohana warned that citizens should be increasingly cautious and vigilant over the spread of new variants of the COVID-19 virus reported.

Seven more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

Former Speaker of Parliament W.J.M. Lokubandara has passed away today (14) at the age of 81 while being treated for COVID-19 at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH).

The Opposition charges the government of failing to import COVID-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka.