The real Christmas is helping each other at the time when the whole world is affected by new poverty brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said in his Christmas message.

Christmas is a noble religious event in the Christian calendar, associated with the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, which inspires the devotion of millions of Christians in God around the world and is second only to the Easter, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said in his Christmas Message, yesterday.

One more COVID-19 related death has been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne has ordered all police stations to provide special security measures to churches in their respective areas today and tomorrow, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

The JVP charges the festive season bonus which has been granted to state sector employees every year in the past has been forfeited this year.

Avissawella, Kosgama and Ruwanwella police areas have been declared as isolated areas with immediate effect, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

The selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee hit Rs 193.05 against the US dollar today (24), central bank data show.

The parents of the 21 day old infant who died with COVID-19 have filed a petition before the Supreme Court stating that the manner in which the infant was cremated was suspicious and charging a violation of their fundamental rights.

The Government should respect the rights of patients who succumb to the COVID-19 virus and allow their families to grieve following their beliefs, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has launched an investigation into the forged registration of 700 vehicles through the computer system of the Department of Motor Traffic, State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama revealed yesterday.

One more COVID-19 related death has been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.

Minister of Justice Ali Sabry says another request has been made from experts to re-evaluate the decision that mandates anyone who dies of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka must be cremated.

Constitutional protection should be afforded to Sri Lanka’s flora if the ecosystem is to be protected, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

Operations to curb illegal drug ring in the island would be further strengthened during next year (2021), Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said yesterday.

The United Nations has assured Sri Lanka its support in procuring, distributing and administering of the vaccine against COVID-19.