COVID – 19 cases rises upto 142

COLOMBO (News1st): The number of COVID – 19 cases in the country has risen to 142, the Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday. According to government statistics, the highest number of cases to be reported within a single day in the country was recorded today (March 31) with...

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Govt. requested to ban home delivery of liquor, cigarettes

COLOMBO (News1st): The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), citing health concerns, has requested the government to ban the home delivery of alcohol and cigarettes in the country. NATA Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa, in a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa,...

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Seven more patients test positive for COVID 19

COLOMBO (News1st): Seven more patients tested positive for COVID – 19 raising the total number of patients in the country upto 127, officials said on Tuesday. The death toll in the country stands at two, with the number of recovered patients standing at 16. Seven more patients...

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12 Billion Rupees worth of drugs seized in Intl waters

Sailors aboard Sri Lanka Navy’s Flagship Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), SLNS ‘Sayura’ , seized a vessel 463 nautical miles away from the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka on Saturday and detected a massive haul of narcotic substances. The vessel which was traveling without a flag...

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CSE to remain closed until curfew is lifted

COLOMBO (News1st): The Colombo Stock Exchange will remain closed from Wednesday until the curfew is lifted in the Colombo District. The curfew which has been imposed in the Colombo District is in effect until further notice, as the area has been identified as a high-risk zone...

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Navy seizes narcotics worth more than Rs 10 billion

COLOMBO (News1st): The Navy, on Tuesday, seized a haul of narcotics valued at over Rs 10 billion, 800 kilometres off the coast of Sri Lanka. Navy Spokesman Lieutenant Commander Isuru Suriyabandara said that among the narcotics were more than 500 kilos each of ‘Ice’ and cocaine. Navy...

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PM Rajapaksa discussed combating COVID-19 with UAE

The Foreign Ministry of the United Arab Emirates said His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, today (31)received a phone call from Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to discuss...

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Service providers requested not to disconnect phone connections for delayed payment

The Government has requested telecommunication service providers, not to disconnect connections for delayed payments. Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Bandula Gunawardena says the necessary directive had been issued to all telecommunication companies during...

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Two more COVID-19 cases recover completely

Two more COVID-19 cases have recovered completely bringing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 16, says the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. The total number of COVID-19 cases stands at 122, while 104 patients are under observation by health authorities....

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Police to be stern on curfew violators

Anyone travelling without a curfew pass or a service ID which can be used as a curfew pass will be arrested and prosecuted says the Police. The police added that the people who fail to comply with the above regulation will be arrested without a warrant and will be presented...

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COVID-19: 1,600 samples of patients tested thus far – MRI

The Medical Research Institute says, around 1,600 samples of patients who are suspected to have contracted Covid 19 have been tested thus far. Director-General of the Medical Research Institute Specialist Dr Jayaruwan Bandara added out of the total samples, only a few had tested...

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Stay indoors or face prison term : Warning by Sri Lanka Police

Sri Lanka Police said anyone traveling during a curfew period without a valid curfew pass would be arrested without a warrant and would be charged under the Quarantine & Prevention of Diseases Ordinance and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Police Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne...

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508 arrested for violating curfew

508 people have been arrested over the past 24 hours for violating curfew. 7,358 have been arrested in total and 1,768 vehicles have been seized, according to the Police Media Division. 508 arrested for violating curfe...

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206 Returnees Released from SLAF Quarantine Centre at Vanni

On the instructions of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sumangala Dias the first Quarantine Centre operated by the Sri Lanka Air Force was established in Vanni. 206 passengers who returned from overseas arrived at this Quarantine Centre on the 17th of March 2020....

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KALUBOWILA HOSPITAL WARD SHUTDOWN AFTER THE DISCOVERY OF A COVID-19 PATIENT

A ward at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila was shut down and the staffers were directed to be quarantined last evening after a COVID-19 patient was discovered from the hospital. According to Hospital Director – Asela Gunawardena, other patients who were receiving...

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FINAL RITES OF THE 2ND COVID-19 VICTIM OBSERVED

The final rites of the 2nd patient who passed away after being infected with COVID-19 were observed last night at the Negombo General Cemetery. This was done as per quarantine regulations. Last evening a 65 year old from Kochchikade succumbed to the virus at the Negombo...

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Ward at Kalubowila Teaching Hospital closed off after the detection of a COVID-19 patient

COLOMBO (News1st): A ward of the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital has been closed following the detection of a COVID-19 patient. Additionally, 15 patients and 20 staff members who came in contact with the patient have been moved to quarantine. The 15 Patients who came into close...

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SLDB auction worth USD 220 million undersubscribed

COLOMBO (News1st): A USD 220 million auction of Sri Lanka Development Bonds was undersubscribed Monday with only bids worth USD 22 million coming from investors, Central Bank data showed. The government was only able to raise 11.93 million dollars from the auction. The monetary...

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CBSL issues regulatory measures for commercial and specialized banks

COLOMBO (News1st): The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has introduced regulatory measures for commercial and specialized banks to assist those affected by the current situation surrounding COVID – 19. Among such measures were to permit banks to grant an extension of 60 days to borrowers...

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Those who fail to register for quarantine will be arrested : Police

Ajith Rohana said those who have not registered with authorities after entering Sri Lanka after 16th March from. any country in the world will be given a grace period until 01st of April to register for self-quarantine. He said those in the immigration and emigration registry...

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Second death reported due to COVID – 19 in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News1st): Another patient tested positive for COVID – 19 in Sri Lanka has died, raising the number of deaths caused by the virus upto two in the country, officials said on Monday. The deceased, who has been identified as a resident of Kochchikade had been receiving...

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Curfew in 19 districts to be in effect until 6 am on April 1

COLOMBO (News1st): The government has announced that the curfew which was re-imposed for 19 districts at 2 pm today (March 30) will be in effect until 6 am on April 1. This curfew will be in effect except for the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttlam, Kandy, and Jaffna districts,...

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Five members of the same family tested positive for COVID – 19

COLOMBO (News1st): Five members of the same family in Nattandiya have tested positive for COVID 19, officials said on Monday. Among the five patients is a four-month old infant. Accordingly, the total number of COVID – 19 patients in the country has increased upto 126. Five...

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SRILANKAN AIRLINES BRINGS DOWN MEDICAL AID FROM CHINA

SriLankan Airlines, uplifted a consignment of medical aid from Shanghai, China today. This was a donation made by the Sri Lankan Community in China through the Consulate Generals of Sri Lanka in Guangzhou and Shanghai, facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in China. The consignment...

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Did the COVID-19 originate in Wuhan?

According to American health experts, the novel coronavirus did not originate from a seafood market in central China’s Wuhan City as popularly believed. Since the outbreak of the epidemic, the origin of the novel coronavirus has been widely discussed online, and conspiracy...

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Government decides on imposing curfew and isolating selected areas – PMD

Issuing a notice the Director of the presidential media division, Mohan Samaranayake said the decision to select areas where a curfew should be imposed after analyzing all data and select quarantine areas, is being taken by the highest authorities in the government. All information...

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132 people leave quarantine centres, after completing the quarantine process

132 people who arrived in Sri Lanka from overseas have left quarantine centres after completing quarantine, Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva noted. 76 people, among the 132, had been from the quarantine centre in Diyathalawa while the others have been from the quarantine...

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Police arrest 6474 & impound 1583 vehicles for violating curfew

6474 people have been arrested for violating curfew laws since being imposed on the 20th of this month, the police said. The number of vehicles seized by the police during this period is 1583. Strict legal action will be initiated against those who misuse the mechanisms enforced...

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Police curfew lifted in 9 districts between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Police curfew imposed across 9 districts in the country was lifted this morning. Police curfew will be reimposed in these areas at 2 p.m. according to the President’s media division. The general public to strictly adhere to practices of social distancing and all other health...

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Quarantining New York “will not be necessary” : Donald Trump

COLOMBO (News 1st); US President Donald Trump has said quarantining New York “will not be necessary”, after the state’s governor said doing so would be “preposterous”. Trump said the latest decision was taken on the recommendation of the White House Coronavirus Task Force....

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US looks for medical professionals from across the world

COLOMBO (News 1st): The US State Department officially announced that the US has decided to provide job opportunities to medical professionals from across the world. The Government Medical Officers Associations expressed these views regarding this announcement yesterday. Editor...

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Medicine to be delivered for Rs. 75 regardless of distance or weight – Postmaster General

COLOMBO (News 1st): People of this country have been immensely careful when purchasing medicine these days due to the prevailing health concerns. However, Post Master General – Ranjith Ariyaratne says that medicine will be delivered at your doorstep for Rs. 75 regardless of...

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Special procedure by Lady Ridgeway hospital to provide children with essential medication

COLOMBO (News 1st): A special procedure has been put in place by officials of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, to continue to provide all children receiving treatment at the hospital with essential medication. The hospital officials requests the general public to contact them between...

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Final rites of first COVID-19 deceased patient observed

COLOMBO (News 1st): The final rites of the first patient who passed away after being infected with COVID-19 were observed today (March 29) at the Kotikawatta public cemetery. This was done as per quarantine regulations. According to our correspondent, one member of the family...

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German state finance minister Thomas Schäfer commits suicide

Police suspect Thomas Schäfer died by suicide after his body was found on train tracks near Wiesbaden. He was the finance minister for the state of Hesse, where Germany’s financial center Frankfurt lies. The body of a man identified as Thomas Schäfer, the finance minister of...

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Employees of Horana Investment Zone sent home

COLOMBO (News 1st): The employees of the Horana Investment Zone were sent home today (March 29). Close to 100 employees of the Horana Investment Zone were unable to return home because of the curfew that was imposed a few days ago. Facilities were provided by the officers of...

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Sevenagala factory of the Lanka Sugar company manufactures disinfectant

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Sevanagala Factory of the Lanka Sugar Company has manufactured a disinfectant using ethanol. The disinfectant was manufactured for the factory workers. The ethanol required to produce disinfectants required in Sri Lanka is produced by the Lanka Sugar...

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Three areas under complete lockdown

COLOMBO (News 1st): A Grama Seva Division near the Puttalam Town, Kandy, and the Akurana towns were placed under total lockdown today (March 29). This was done as several people in these areas were tested positive for COVID-19. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Central...

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COVID-19 cases increase upto 117

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Ministry of Health states that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country have increased upto 117. Meanwhile in view of the extension of the curfew by the Government, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has decided that the CSE will remain closed...

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77 people released from quarantine camps today

COLOMBO (News 1st): Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said 77 people who completed the mandatory 14 days quarantine period were released today (March 29) adding, they were instructed to engage in a 14 day self quarantine at home. As of today, 1565 people were...

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Payment of pensions to be completed by April 6

COLOMBO (News1st): The government today (March 29) announced that pensions would be paid on April 2 and 3, failing which it would be paid by April 6. The Department of Posts will deliver the pensions to their residences or the Grama Niladhari Divisions for those who receive...

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April 21st Attacks, another suspect arrested

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Criminal Investigations Department arrested the handler of the suicide bomber responsible for the attack in Batticaloa in April last year. The suspect from Mount Lavinia is being probed for his role and also as to who handled him in this process or...

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Central Mail Exchange used for the distribution of medicine

Steps have been taken to use the Central Mail Exchange for the distribution of medicine required by patients registered at clinics in Government hospitals from today. This decision was taken when the Special Presidential Task Force on Essential Services headed by Basil Rajapaksa...

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US State department reacts to the recent presidential pardon

The US State department has raised concerns over the recent presidential pardon accorded to Staff Sgt. Sunil Rathnayake. The US State Department wrote on Twitter “The Pardon of Sunil Rathnayake after SL’s Supreme Court upheld his conviction is deeply troubling. Justice, accountability,...

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Another COVID-19 case discharged following a complete recovery

According to the Health Ministry another patient who tested positive for COVID-19 has made a complete recovery and was  discharged from the hospital today. This brings number of recoveries to 10 and 117 suspected cases under medical observation. As of now the total Confirmed...

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BAN ON AIRCRAFT ARRIVALS TO THE BIA EXTENDED TO THE 07TH OF APRIL

Issuing a statement the Civil Aviation Authority said the ban on aircraft arrivals to the Bandaranaike International Airport has been extended to the 07th of April 2020. The statement added that the decision was reached following advice received by Health Authorities in a bid...

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Public encouraged to avoid visiting banks : CBEU

COLOMBO (News1st): The Ceylon Bank Employees’ Union has encouraged the use of ATM’s and cash deposit machines over visiting banks, in the backdrop of the COVID – 19 pandemic which claimed one life in the country late Saturday. Issuing a statement, the CBEU noted that there...

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Robots to treat suspected COVID 19 patients at Homagama Base Hospital

COLOMBO (News1st): The government has requested for more robots from a private company which donated the first of its kind to treat suspected COVID – 19 cases at the Homagama Base Hospital. “…it has been very well designed and developed,” Director General of Health Services...

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Curfew extended for Six key districts including Kandy

The Curfew imposed for the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Puttlam, Kandy & Jaffna districts was extended until further notice. A statement from the President’s Media Division noted the curfew for all other districts will be lifted at 06AM tomorrow(30) & re-imposed at 02PM....

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Village in Puttlam transferred to Quarantine Camp

An entire village in Puttlam with over 100 people was taken away for quarantine. Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva speaking to News 1st said, they were taken to a quarantine camp as a person infected with Covid-19 was detected from...

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