Popular actor Bimal Jayakodi has tested positive for COVID-19.

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 vaccination drive was kicked off this morning and three soldiers in the frontline of fighting COVID-19 were vaccinated with COVISHIELD vaccine at the Army Hospital in Colombo.

The United National Party (UNP) will continue to rebuild the party from the grassroots level in the coming months, giving an opportunity for new blood to rise up the ranks forming a strong organizational base around electorates, said Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday.

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi who was at the Hikkaduwa Intermediate Treatment Centre after being COVID-19 infected was transferred to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) last evening.

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said Rs.2000 million is spent annually to import agri seeds to the country and it is planned to reduce it gradually in the next three years and produce around 80% of the country’s required seeds locally.

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

Sri Lanka’s president on Thursday welcomed the first 500,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine from India, which has donated the shots to eight countries in the region.

The Air Indian flight (AI- 281) carrying the first consignment of Oxford-AstraZeneca’s COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines gifted by the Indian government has reached Sri Lanka today (January 28).

Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa has requested veteran cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga to support development of cricket in Sri Lanka.

All individuals leaving the Western Province from today to the 1st of February, will be tested for coronavirus.

State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday said that obtaining the assistance of India was the ideal option for Sri Lanka in developing the East Container Terminal of the Colombo Port because the facility was expected mostly to be engaged in transshipment cargo to and from India.

Responding to a recent request by the Sri Lankan Government, China has decided to donate 300,000 Coronavirus vaccine doses to Sri Lanka..

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

A suspect was arrested in connection with the shooting in which a 32-year old man was killed at Pallimulla in the Panadura North Police division on Monday, the Police said.

State Minister Arundika Fernando has tested positive for COVID-19.

Ruling out any doubts of a third party or the military taking over their duties as remarked by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as a solution to eliminate all corrupt officials, Customs trade unions yesterday warned the Government that they shall not let such a thing happen at all costs.