The police divisions-Dambulla, Galewela, Matale and Naula police divisions in the Matale district and Pannala police division in the Kurunegala district – have been isolated with immediate effect, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.He also said Udubaddawa, Galamuna Grama Niladhari Divisions and Helamulla Grama Niladhari Division of the Moneragala District also isolated.The National Operation Center for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak said that these measures were taken to prevent further spread of Covid-19.
Prez sticks to ban on chemical fertilizer imports
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stressed that he will take up the challenge of making Sri Lanka the first country in the world to eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, without taking a step back on the decision to end the use of chemical fertilizers in the country.The President said the fact that no country in the world has abandoned the use of chemical fertilizers is not an obstacle to achieve this goal. The President urged everyone to get together to educate the farmers to create a healthy generation by taking it to the field, without limiting it to mere talks.
Daily Covid -19 cases exceed 1000 mark for the third consecutive day
The daily caseload of Covid -19 exceeded 1000 mark today with the health authorities asking people to comply with health guidelines.Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said localized lockdowns would be imposed without prior notice.
China’s Minister of Defence Wei Fenghe wrap up visit to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka and China vowed on Wednesday to enhance pragmatic cooperation in all sectors between the two countries including the military, Xinhua reported. According to Xinhua news report, the pledge came after Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe. During the meeting, the Sri Lankan president, who is also the defense minister, thanked China for providing long-term and precious support to Sri Lanka and hoped to learn the governing experience from the Communist Party of China on poverty alleviation and rural revitalization, among others.
Local lockdowns if Covid -19 cases spike
Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva localized lockdowns would be imposed with immediate effect of the cases of Covid-19 spiked in any area.Therefore, he said people should remain ready for it. However, he said there is no plan to impose a national lockdown.
Antigen tests to be conducted randomly at entry and exit points of the western province
Random Rapid Antigen Tests will be conducted at 12 entry and exit points of the western province from 12 noon today, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.
Sri Lanka looks forward to furthering ties with China in dealing with the pandemic
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, during his meeting with Chinese National Defence Minister, said Sri Lanka look forward to cooperation with China in responding to the pandemic.
He extended warm wishes on the 100th year anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party this year and for all its achievements. It
“Furthermore, let me also congratulate you on your achievements in poverty alleviation. China has uplifted nearly 100 million rural residents out of absolute poverty. And you have accomplished this 10 year in advance of the completion of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal in poverty alleviation.
This is an impres
President and Chinese Defence Minister hold bilateral discussions
The official meeting between Chinese State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe who is
on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was held at the Presidential
Secretariat today.
The Chinese Defence Minister who arrived at the Presidential Secretariat was received by Secretary to
the President P.B. Jayasundera and Foreign Secretary (retired) Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage.
The Chinese Defence Minister said the bilateral discussions held with the President were extremely
fruitful. He also said the relations between the two nations were further strengthened by this visit.
Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe placed a note on the Book for Special Guests to mark the
meeting with the President.
Current coronavirus is UK variant
The coronavirus variant which is currently in circulation in Sri Lanka is the UK variant, an official said.
Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the Sri Jayewardenepura University, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said mutations specific to the UK variant B.1.1.7 lineage, had been detected in several areas of the country.
Sri Lanka safe from earthquake in India
Sri Lanka is unaffected by the earthquake in India , the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said .
The earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter Scale rugged northeastern state of Assam in India on Wednesday morning, damaging walls and floors of some structures.
It was even felt in nearby states such as West Bengal Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Move to ban face cover in public places
The Cabinet endorsed a proposal to ban all face coverings including the burqa and niqab, Public Security Minister Dr .Sarath Weerasekara said.
He said it would be implemented once Parliament enacts it into law later.
The highest single day Covid caseload reported today
Daily Covid-19 cases surpassed1000 for the first time today since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Army commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said over 1000 cases were reported today .
Sri Lanka Embassy facilitates Repatriation of over 6000 Migrant Workers from Kuwait
Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait continues to facilitate repatriation of Sri Lankan migrant workers and other Sri Lankans who were severely affected by Covid 19 pandemic, under the guidance of Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Foreign Secretary Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, a statement said.
The Embassy has repatriated over 6000 Sri Lankans out of 9000 persons registered with the Embassy.
This repatriation process is facilitated by the Embassy in coordination with the Presidential Secretariat, the Foreign Ministry, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, Ministry of Labour, State Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Market Diversification, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), SriLankan Airlines and relevant Kuwait authorities. The returnees included Sri Lankan migrant workers held at the Kuwait Government Deportation Centre, the Kuwait Government Shelter and the Safe House maintained by the Embassy.
Rishad Bathiudeen, brother held for three months
MP Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen to be held under the Prevention of Terrorism of Act for three months for questioning in connection with Easter Sunday attacks.Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said initially they were held for 72 hours , but detention order was to taken to hold them for 90 more days for further questioning for aiding and abetting Easter Sunday suicide bombers.
Rishad Bathiudeen, brother held for three months
MP Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen to be held under the Prevention of Terrorism of Act for three months for questioning in connection with Easter Sunday attacks.
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said initially they were held for 72 hours , but detention order was to taken to hold them for 90 more days for further questioning for aiding and abetting Easter Sunday suicide bombers.
Schools in western, north-western provinces closed till April 30
All the schools , pre schools and Pirivenas in the Western and North Western provinces will be closed until April 30, Education Minister Prof . G.L. Peiris said .
All the Catholic schools will also be closed
Localized lockdowns in several areas
Polhena, Heeralugedara, Kalugalla, Aswennawaththa East Grama Seva Divisions in Gampaha District & Miriswaththa, Pelawattte North, Pelawatte East in Kalutara District will be isolated from 8pm today, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.He also said the Damnulla economic centre would be closed for two weeks.
World Bank Reassures Support for Sri Lanka to Build Back Better from COVID-19
The World Bank’s Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Faris Hadad-Zervos, concluded a successful visit to Sri Lanka today where he reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s efforts towards recovery and to build back better from the COVID-19 shock.
Based in Kathmandu, Nepal, this latest mission followed the Country Director’s introductory visit to Sri Lanka last November after assuming his new role in July 2020. Hadad-Zervos was joined by Chiyo Kanda, the Country Manager for Maldives and Sri Lanka, based in Colombo.
“Sri Lanka’s economy is on the road to recovery after the worst downturn on record last year. The World Bank stands ready to support the Sri Lankan Government as it strives to protect its people from the pandemic, while addressing the vulnerabilities in the macro-fiscal environment,” said Faris. H. Hadad-Zervos, the World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “Recovery and resilience in the post-COVID era can be accelerated by an export-oriented growth model that taps the full potential of private investments and that increases competitiveness and growth.”
Govt institutions to be run with limited staff attendance
The Public Administration Ministry will issue a circular empowering all heads of state institutions to decide on the operation of their activities with limited staff attendance and the work from home facility due to the escalation of Covid-19 cases. Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon has advised the Ministry Secretary to act in this regard. The new circular will be issued soon.
Foreign Employment Bureau closed for two days due to Covid-19
The main office of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment in Battaramulla will be closed on 27 and 28 April as an employee tested positive for Covid-19 .
Schools closed in the East
The schools in the Trincomalee zone of education in the east will be closed indefinitely as a measure for the prevention of the further spread of Covid–19, sources said. Provincial governor Anuradha Yahampath instructed the education authorities to act in this regard.
State functions, events cancelled for two weeks
All the state functions have been cancelled for two weeks as a measure to curb the spread of Covid-19, a statement said. The President’s Media Division announced this in a statement and requested the private selector to do.
Sri Lankan Buddhists monks recognize Buddhist heritage in Pakistan
Sri Lankan Buddhist monks who visited Pakistan said on Saturday that the paradisiacal Swat valley remained the centre of Buddhism and had immense importance for Buddhists all over the world, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported .According to the news report in Dawn, they said this during their visit to the Buddhist archaeological sites of Gandhara Buddhist civilisation in Swat valley.The delegation include senior monks Dr Walpole Piyananda, Dr Bodagama Chandima, Dr Assaji Thero, Dr Pallegama Rathanasara, Prof Kallanchiye Rathanasiri, Ven.Uduwe Dhammaloka, Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda, Embilipitiye Rahula, Korathota Dammadassi, Dr Atapattukande Ananda, Asela Pushpa Kumara Wickramasinghe and Aaishah Abu Bakr Fahad, who is Second Secretary (political) at Pakistan High Commission, Colombo.The monks said that Swat valley had high importance for Buddhists and its name meant a blessing.
Task force to look into discoloration of the Diyawanna waters
A Cabinet paper will be presented this week to appoint a task force on the unusual algae growth in the Diyawanna Oya.
It has been confirmed that the discoloration of the Diyawanna waters is due to Algae Bloom or algae growth. Experts have pointed out that this algae growth is at risk of further deterioration and could even lead to a strong odor in the surrounding environment. It is proposed to appoint a task force with expertise to provide a solution to this environmental problem and to submit a relevant Cabinet Memorandum. The relevant Cabinet Memorandum has been finalized and the Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera is scheduled to present the Cabinet Memorandum at the next Cabinet meeting.
Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that several factions have been identified to take action in this regard and steps are being taken to prevent the growth of this unusual algae growth.
More than 700 arrested so far over terrorist attack on Easter Sunday
Around 700 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the Easter Sunday bomb attacks , Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.
According to him 202 of them were in remand custody whereas another 83 had been detained by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) for interrogations.
DIG Rohana said that the Easter Sunday attack mastermind Zahran Hashim’s wife Hadiya and Mohamed Ibrahim said that among the detained were Easter Sunday attack mastermind.
SriLankan Airlines unveils its own refurbished Corporate Office in Colombo.
SriLankan Airlines, the flag carrier of Sri Lanka, unveils its refurbished office located at Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha, Colombo 01. Strategically positioned in the commercial heart of Colombo, the Airline’s city office is an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary styles. The Dutch Colonial façade, inner structure and courtyard offer a soothing and welcoming atmosphere of old-world charm, which is complemented with modern, purpose-built interiors. The facility will be occupied by the Corporate Offices, Passenger, Cargo Sales and SriLankan Holidays.
Rishad Bathiudeen and his were brother arrested
Opposition MP Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother were arrested in connection with aiding and abetting the Easter Sunday attackers .They were taken in for questioning under the Prevention of Terrorism Act
No plan for lockdown of the country
Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said there is no plan to lock down the country. He said people should, however, be cooperative. He asked people avoid crowded places.
Mask wearing mandatory to combat new variant of Covid-19
Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardane, requested people to cooperate with the health authorities to combat the pandemic situation.
He said wearing masks even indoors is a must under the present circumstances since the latest variant is airborne.
He said it should be done to avoid a crisis situation in the country.