The COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the country has been confirmed to be the variant spreading in the UK, which is B.1.1.7, Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of Sri Jayewardenepura University Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said.

Schoolchildren in Sri Lanka had disproved the claim that the present-day children neither wrote nor read by writing a staggering 43,000 books during the pandemic period so far, Power and Energy Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

While saying that the capacity in hospitals where COVID patients were treated had exceeded, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardana yesterday cautioned the public over irresponsible behaviour, stating that the number of hospitalisations surged within a week.

The Kottawa Exit of the Southern Expressway has been closed from 6am today until further notice.

The decision on whether to arrest SJB MP Harin Fernando or any other suspect in connection to the 2019 Easter Sunday Bombings, would be taken by the Police and the Attorney General, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday (27).

Litro Gas Ltd. yesterday reassured that supply of 12.5 kg LPG cylinders would be ensured without any shortage.

Cabinet approval was granted to ban all face coverings including the burka and niqab, Public Security Cabinet Minister Dr. Sarath Weerasekara said.

The Cabinet of Ministers has decided to close all schools and tuition classes across the island until the 30th of April, says Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

The second dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be administered from Wednesday (April 28), says State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana.

Although COVID-19 patients in the past were asymptomatic, patients identified with the recently discovered proportion of SARS-CoV-2 samples exhibit symptoms and have a higher risk of developing pneumonia as a result of several complications

State Minister of Money and Capital Markets Ajith Nivard Cabraal said yesterday that there was no relationship between money printing by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and the depreciation of the local rupee in the foreign currency market.

Imbulagoda and Katudampe Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in Rathagama police area in Galle District will be isolated from 8.00 p.m. tonight, according to Army Commander General Shavendra Silva.

Sri Lanka’s Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are reaching full capacity, said State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle on Monday (26).

All schools, pre-schools and Pirivens in the Western and North Western Provinces will remain closed with immediate effect until April 30, Education Minister Prof. GL Peiris said.

A decision has been taken to isolate Several Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in three districts with effect from 8.00 p.m. tonight (26) to control the spread of COVID-19, said Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva.