As many as 2659 Covid cases were reported today, the highest ever since the outbreak of the disease.
Also, this is the first time the daily caseload exceeded 2000 mark.
1,365 Covid patients recovered today
The health authorities said 1,365 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital today . The authorities said the total number of recoveries increased to 104,463.
Remnants of China’s Long March lands into an open sea area
The remnants of China’s Long March 5B rocket landed into an open sea area in the Indian Ocean, close to the Maldives, Chinese State Media reported.
Coca Cola © in SL has stepped-in to control Corona
Coca-Cola company has taken special steps to control the rapidly spreading Covid epidemic in Sri Lanka. They are allocating Rs. 45 million to curb corona virus in Sri Lanka and say that this can be controlled by all working together.
1890 Covid cases reported today
With another 920 Covid-19 positive cases reported today, the daily total in Sri Lanka increased to 1,890, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.
NMRA clears Chinese Sinopharm vaccine
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) gave regulatory clearance for the use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine which will be rolled out today, an official said.
The World Health Organization announced on Friday it had approved a Covid-19 vaccine from China’s state-owned drugmaker Sinopharm for emergency use, reports Reuters.
The vaccine, one of two main Chinese shots that collectively have already been given to hundreds of millions of people in China and abroad, becomes the first Covid-19 shot developed by a non-Western country to win the WHO’s backing.
It is also the first time the WHO has given emergency use approval to any Chinese vaccine for any infectious disease.
A WHO emergency listing is a signal to national regulators on a product’s safety and efficacy, and would allow the shot to be included in COVAX, the global programme to provide vaccines mainly for poor countries.
The WHO has previously given emergency approval to Covid-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and, last week, Moderna, added Reuters.
Indian Covid strain detected in Sri Lanka
A returnee from abroad tested positive for the INDIAN variant of Covid-19 (variant B1.617) for the first time in Sri Lanka in a quarantine center – Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, University of Sri Jayawardenapura said.
SL condemns attack on Maldivian speaker
Sri Lanka condemns the terrorist attack on Mohamed Abdulla Nasheed who is the Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament and the former President of Maldives on May 6, 2021, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.
“At this most critical time, the people and the Government of Sri Lanka join in expressing solidarity with the people and the Government of Maldives while strongly condemning all forms of violence,” the statement said.
1889 Covid cases today
With another 792 Covid-19 positive cases reported today, the daily total in Sri Lanka increased to 1,889, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.
Govt to roll out Sinopharm vaccine next week
The government is planning to vaccinate people with Chinese Sinopharm vaccine next week, a Minister said.
State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said the World Health Organisation is expected to list the vaccine for emergency use soon.
Wildlife conservation authorities close forest bungalows and campsites due to Covid -19
All the circuit bungalows, forest bungalows and campsites coming under the purview of the wildlife conservation authorities and meant for tourists will be closed, the Department said.
The decision has been taken to control the spread of Covid-19.
Schools, pre-schools and universities to remain closed indefinitely
Schools, pre-schools and universities to remain closed indefinitely All the schools, pre-schools, tuition classes and universities islandwide will remain closed till further notice, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Pieris.
He said the decision was taken following advice by the health authorities regarding the Covid situation.
Work on Ruwanpura expressway launched
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the inauguration of the construction work of phase 1 of the seventh expressway in the country named ‘Ruwanpura Expressway (E-06)’. Road Development Authority (RDA) Chairman C. P. Athuluwage said the construction to kicked off today. It is constructed from Kahathuduwa to Ingiriya as the first leg of the project.The total distance of the Ruwanpura Expressway from Kahathuduwa to Pelmadulla is 73.9 km and the Phase 1 to the proposed section is 24.3 km.
Twelve more GN divisions isolated
Twelve more Grama Niladhari Divisions in three Districts have been isolated with immediate effect, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said. Among them are Halputa, Kesbewa East, Makandana West & Niungama GN Divisions in Piliyandala Police area, Polhena, Pimbura and Yatiyana.
11 more Covid deaths reported
The health authorities said 11 more Covid -19 deaths were reported today increasing the total fatalities in Sri Lanka to 745.
People with a travel history to India will not be allowed in Sri Lanka
Passengers with a travel history to India within last 14 days will not be permitted to disembark in Sri Lanka with immediate effect, the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Upul Dharmadasa said.
Another 546 cases reported increasing daily Covid cases to 1851
With another 546 Covid-19 positive cases reported today, the daily total in Sri Lanka increased to 1,851 ,Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said
1305 more Covid cases so far today
Some 1,305 more persons tested positive for Covid -19 today, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.
Drone technology to monitor traffic movements
The police launched a pilot project on Wednesday in Nugegoda to use modern technology to control traffic congestion and to arrest errant drivers.Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said drone cameras would be used to monitor traffic movements and detect reckless driving.
Two more GN divisions isolated
Two Grama Niladhari Divisions in Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee Districts Isolated
General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Army who is the Head of the National Operations Center for Prevention of Covid 19 outbreak, announces that Grama Niladhari Divisions in Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee Districts have been designated as isolated areas with effect from 6.25 am today.
They are the Panamgammana Grama Niladhari Division (473) of Nuwara-Eliya and Andamkulam Grama Niladhari Division of Trincomalee.
SC determination on Port City Commission Bill received by Speaker
Supreme Court’s determination on the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill was received by Speaker last evening. It will be announced to Parliament on May 18, Parliament Communication Department said.
EMA approval for chinese vaccine soon
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has started a rolling review of China’s Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine, the EU’s top drug regulator announced Tuesday, and experts said that once the vaccine is approved, China will further fulfill its international responsibilities as a major power and provide support to the international community in the pandemic fight, the Chinese media reported.According to the Chinese media , Sinovac and another China-produced COVID-19 jab, Sinopharm, are also under WHO assessment for emergency use, and results are anticipated in a week.
No national lockdown – Health Minister
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the government would respond to the COVID-19 pandemic while carrying out the economic activities.
She told Parliament that if the economy collapses, there would not be money to be used for COVID-19 prevention operations even.
Responding to a statement made by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, who asked whether the government was going for a complete lockdown, she said the globally accepted method was to combat COVID-19 pandemic while securing the economy.
Russian Covid-19 vaccine to be administered today
he government will inoculate the people in the Madinnagoda area of the Gothatuwa Health Division in Colombo today with Russia’s ‘Sputnik V’ vaccine, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.
The State Minister said the jabs would be administered to people between the ages of 30 and 60.
The second dose will be given to the first dose recipients after 21 days.
SL , Nepal seeks to strengthen cooperation in construction sector
Sri Lanka Embassy in Nepal partnered with the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka (EDB) to connect construction industry stakeholders of the two countries in a webinar titled “Collaboration in the Construction Industry between Sri Lanka and Nepal “on Tuesday, May 4,2021, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.
In his opening remarks, EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel described Nepal as an important market for joint ventures in the construction industry and elaborated the Sri Lankan industry’s strengths and capabilities to cater to the international market. He mentioned in particular the expertise shown by Sri Lanka in green construction, urban infrastructure, soil and geology, hydropower and low cost housing.
Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka highlighted the event as an opportunity to elevate the existing friendship between Sri Lanka and Nepal to a productive economic partnership. She expressed the hope that the interaction will go beyond business connections to include prospects for capacity building and training opportunities as well.
President attends Parliament
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Parliament this morning , a statement from his office said.
Minister Johnston Fernando, State Ministers Kanchana Wijesekera and Kanaka Herath and Members of Parliament Tissa Kuttiarachchi and U.K. Sumith received the President at the Parliament Complex.
President Rajapaksa entered the Parliament Chamber and listened to the speeches of the Members of Parliament.
This was the fifth occasion the President visited Parliament after addressing the inaugural session of the new Parliament.
Public Security Minister wants Speaker to bar Rishad from attending Parliament
Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane not to allow MP Rishard Bathiudeen, held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), to attend Parliament until the investigations against him were completed.
He told Parliament that any MP held under PTA should not be allowed to attend Parliament .
SLAF to purchase four MI-17 t helicopters from Russia
The Sri Lanka Air Force will procure four MI -17 Helicopters under the Russian Military Credit Facility after years of negotiations between the governments of the two countries
SLAF Spokesman Dushan Wijesinghe said the four aircraft would be used for future UN peacekeeping operations.