A tragic death of a 9-year-old girl was reported in the Meegahawatta police area last night whilst a witchcraft treatment was being performed to cure an illness reported to have been caused by an evil spirit.
The Government is using the VIP lists instead of a priority list when administering COVID-19 vaccine, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake charged today.
Sri Lanka was to inform in writing to the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) yesterday about its decision to allow the burial of Muslim Covid-19 victims, Daily Mirror learns.
Easter Sunday attacks have been staged in retaliation for the attack on the Mosque in Christchurch New Zealand and the attacks on ISIS in Syria, the report of the Presidential commission which probed the attack had revealed.
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) said that it is relieved that the Government after a prolonged vacillation has finally restored the constitutionally protected fundamental, the right for burial of COVID-19 victims and suspected victims.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is to implement recommendations in a report tabled at the UN Human Rights Council, despite objections raised by Sri Lanka.
The international lobbying spree by the government gathered momentum today with 21 countries speaking in favour of Sri Lanka and 15 against during an Interactive Dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Daily Mirror learns.
Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that the gazette notification, which allows the burial of COVID-19 victims would be issued soon following the consent of the Technical Committee, Minister S. M. Chandrasena said.
Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in an interview with WION TV said the Presidential Commission probing Easter Sunday attacks had to acknowledge that he was not informed and that there was no finding against any of the ministers from the United National Party (UNP).
While saying it is too early to comment on the slight decrease in COVID-19 cases in the country at present, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said the major clusters in the country are on the declining stage.
Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle today slammed Health Ministry officials over certain arbitrary decisions taken by them regarding the vaccination drive.
Eighteen countries have pledged to speak on behalf of Sri Lanka during the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), a top source said.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who called Pakistan a close and genuine friend said he discussed with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan about the enhancement of bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade and other areas such as defence, science and technology.
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) that investigated into the Easter Sunday’s attacks in 2019 has recommended the Attorney General to consider instituting criminal proceedings against former President Maithripala Sirisena and several others while found fault with former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe but recommended no action against him.
The Cabinet has granted approval to purchase 10 million Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccines at the cost of US$ 52.5 million as direct procurement from the Serum Institute in India.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa expressed his regrets over the eleventh-hour resignation of Chaminda Vaas, who was appointed Consultant bowling coach during the Sri Lanka’s tour of the Caribbean.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday called for a policy shift on the containment of COVID -19 pandemic with the emergence of new variants across the world.
The medical team of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) in collaboration with the Health Ministry, have set up six vaccination centres in Colombo for the public to receive the anti COVID-19 jabs which rolled out into the public from early last week.
There are several incidents where some parties from the affluent class demanding health officials to show influence in obtaining COVID-19 vaccine making them unable to perform their duties as per the priority list, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.
Dismissing the allegations leveled by certain parties that figures on COVID-19 related deaths are on the contrary, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said today there is no room to alter or hide the figures and there is no such move at present.
In the wake of India’s protests over power projects in the northern islands, the Chinese company, which secured the contract for to execute the power project hit out yesterday saying it firmly oppose to any outrageous interference by any third party sans legal and factual basis.
A group of eminent members of the Buddhist clergy, in a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, protested Justice Minister Ali Sabry’s remarks in Parliament that the Buddhist Temporalities (Amendment)
Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s biggest vaccine maker by volume, on Sunday asked for patience from foreign governments awaiting their supply of COVID-19 shots, saying it had been directed to prioritise India’s requirements.
A total number of 15 women have been attending lessons on extremism conducted by Easter Sunday suicide attack linchpin Zahran Hashim in 2018 and that five of them had been killed and the remaining women were either remanded or detained at the moment, police revealed.
Responding to a statement made by certain Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MPs that they were not ready to get COVID vaccine from Army hospitals, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva stressed that no Sri Lankan would refuse to receive the vaccines from military hospitals whereas only non – nationals could do so.
Following complaints that several people who were not under the ‘vulnerable groups’ had received the Astra Zeneca vaccinations against COVID-19 in recent days, health officials at a meeting yesterday decided to get tough and strictly implement the programme according to the groups officially allocated.
A 24-year-old female, who alleged to have attended classes conducted by Easter Sunday suicide bomber Zahran Hashim, arrested in Mawanella by the TID (Terrorists Investigation Division) yesterday, police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.
Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardene who expressed concern over the lack of public cooperation to bring the pandemic under control, said it was left to the people to decide whether they would hold wedding receptions, parties, public functions and enjoy as in the past, or reduce merry making events to the barest minimum to pave way for the reopening of schools and universities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to increase the percentage of vaccines and most likely would provide at least 27% to us, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said today.
Three Sri Lankan citizens have been charged with terrorism offenses, including conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS), the US Justice Department announced.
Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardene who expressed concern over the lack of public cooperation to bring the pandemic under control, said it was left to the people to decide whether they would hold wedding receptions, parties, public functions and enjoy as in the past, or reduce merry making events to the barest minimum to pave way for the reopening of schools and universities.
Whilst highlighting that Catholics are willing to forgive those who staged the Easter Sunday attacks two years ago, archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Ranjith yesterday called for setting up of new laws to prevent such mayhem in the future.
Whilst highlighting that Catholics are willing to forgive those who staged Easter Sunday attacks two years ago, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith yesterday called for setting up of new laws to prevent such mayhem in the future.
Despite Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that burial would be allowed for those who succumb to COVID-19, the Health Ministry said they are still following the cremation rule.
The Government says the Navy will not be withdrawn from the Hambantota Port. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed China that the security of the port will be in the hands of Sri Lanka.
In the wake of COVID-19 cases belonging to the new variant being detected in the country, the Health Ministry requested people to restrict movement and follow health guidelines by being extra vigilant.
In response to concerns raised by India about a Chinese company involved in some power projects in the North , the Chinese embassy said today (15) it was purely a commercial activity undertaken through an open international bidding process.
Denying the media reports that there would be travel restrictions in areas where the new variant was detected, Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said the health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and actions would be taken accordingly.
One resident from Havelock City in Colombo has tested positive for the new, highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19, making it the first case to be detected in Colombo city, the Daily Mirror learns.
The President instructed to commence the Oxford–AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines from Western Province (WP) today, Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.
The coronavirus vaccination drive for the general public, which will begin in the first week of March, will most probably starting from the Western Province, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said today.
While denying reports that the country would be placed under lockdown in the wake of new COVID-19 variant being detected in several areas in the country, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said appropriate actions would be taken as per the advise of health authorities.
While denying reports that the country would be placed under lockdown in the wake of new COVID-19 variant being detected in several areas in the country, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said appropriate actions would be taken as per the advise of health authorities.
State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said his office proposed to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to take steps to develop light rails in Colombo, a project that has been on paper for a long time.