102 new COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka (31st Oct. 2130 hours)

Colombo (News 1st); 102 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka, said the Department of Government Information on Saturday (31). 21 of these case are from Quarantine Centers. 81 other cases are close contacts of the Peliyagoda Fish Market Cluster and Fisheries Harbours....

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Migrant workers’ remittances projected to decline by 14% by 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis continues to spread, the amount of money migrant workers send home is projected to decline 14 percent by 2021 compared to the pre-COVID-19 levels in 2019. According to the latest estimates published in the World Bank’s Migration...

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Ambassador designate of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong lands in Sri Lanka

The New Ambassador-designate of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong arrived in the island last evening. (30th October) The Chinese Embassy announced that he is to undergo self-quarantine for two weeks. The Chinese Embassy said “The Ambassador has passed PCR test prior to his flight...

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Holy water sprinkled in hope of bringing good health to the public

Holy water or “Prith Pan” was sprinkled from the air in hope of bringing good health to the people of Sri Lanka and an end to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The holy water which was blessed while chanting the Rathana Soothraya was sprinkled using a privately owned helicopter....

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78 Police Officers have contracted COVID-19

A total of 78 Police Officers have been infected with COVID-19, Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. Close to 300 Police Officers have been directed to quarantine, he added. In addition to this, 1,800 Officers have been advised to self quarantine. Meanwhile, an...

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Must analyze reports before lifting curfew on Monday – Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva

The reports on the situation in the western province will have to be analyzed before deciding on lifting the curfew imposed in the province on Monday (2nd November), Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva...

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137 new COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka (31st October 1830 hours)

Colombo (News 1st): 137 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka, said the Department of Government Information on Saturday (31). 38 of these case are from Quarantine Centers. 99 other cases are close contacts of the Peliyagoda Fish Market Cluster and Fisheries Harbours....

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454 people who left the Western Province in Quarantine

Colombo (News 1st); 454 people who left the Western Province on 29th & 30th October have been traced and placed in quarantine at their current place of accommodation, said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana on Saturday (31). A special operation is taking place locate...

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Current COVID-19 strain different to previous strains; Sri Lankan Researchers reveal details

Colombo (News 1st): Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a massive outbreak, which originated in Minuwangoda, Gampaha district and is now spreading all over Sri Lanka. The scientists at the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology...

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Political Victimization PCoI concludes examining evidence

COLOMBO(News 1st); The Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of Political Victimization has concluded the examining of complaints received. The final report containing recommendations would be submitted to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on or before...

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14-day Quarantine to people who left Western Province; legal action upon return

Colombo (News 1st); A special operation is taking place locate people from the Western Province who fled to other areas ahead of the quarantine curfew which came into effect on Thursday (29). Police Spokesperson DIG AJith Rohana speaking to News 1st said all police stations...

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39 people arrested for failing to wear facemasks and maintain social distancing

Colombo (News 1st);  39 people were arrested for failing the follow the social distancing concept and disregarding instructions to wear a face mask, said DIG Ajith Rohana on Saturday (31). These suspects will be prosecuted as per the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases...

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221 arrested in 24 hours for violating quarantine regulations

Colombo (News 1st);  221 people were arrested by Sri Lanka Police for violating the quarantine curfew and the quarantine regulations in the past 24 hours, said DIG Ajith Rohana on Saturday (31). This is the largest arrested made by Sri Lanka Police on a single day during...

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20th COVID-19 death reported in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1srt); The 20th COVID-19 death was reported in Sri Lanka on Saturday (31), reported the Government Information Department. It added a 54 year old woman who was treated at the National Hospital in Colombo had passed away on Friday (30) and subsequent PCR tests...

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41,500 students will be enrolled into Universities – UGC

COLOMBO(News 1st): 41,500 students will be enrolled into Universities this time, the University Grants Commission said. students who sat for the GCE Advanced Level examination in 2019 will be enrolled, Its Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunga said. He further added that 10,000...

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Transport facilities in operation for students sitting for GCE Advanced Level Examination

COLOMBO (News 1st): All transport facilities are in operation for students sitting for the GCE Advanced Level Examination in the Western Province and other police areas where the quarantine curfew is in effect, the Department of Examinations said. Parents must ensure that the...

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Confirmed COVID-19 cases in SL pass 10,000 mark

Colombo (News 1st); The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka passed the 10,000 mark on Friday (30) to reach 10,105 COVID-19 cases, reported the Epidemiology Unit. According to the Epidemiology Unit data 314 cases were reported on Friday (30). Confirmed COVID-19...

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Health Authorities warn of strict measures, if guidelines not followed

Colombo (News 1st);  5413 COVID-19 cases are being treated at 43 treatment centers in Sri Lanka and the 44th treatment center will be in operation within another day, said Acting Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath on Friday (30). Further,...

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Police to increase presence at entry & exit points in Western Province

Colombo (News 1st); The Quarantine Curfew is in effect across 117 Police Areas in Sri Lanka and this includes 05 Police Station areas in Kuliyapitiya. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said a 1000-man strong police force was deployed to the check-points set up at all...

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60 Police Officers exposed to COVID-19; More than 300 quarantined

Colombo (News 1st);  60 Police Officers have been exposed to COVID-19, said Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana on Friday (30). More than 300 Police Officers have been placed in quarantine, he said. At present police officers are involved in the enforcement of quarantine...

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Legal action against Colpetty wedding party for violating quarantine regs.

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lanka Police said it will institute action against those involved in organizing a wedding at a star-hotel in Colpetty on Friday (30), disregarding the quarantine regulations and the quarantine curfew which is in effect across the entire Western...

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Wilgoda in Kurunegala, isolated & PCR tests carried out due COVID-19 concerns

Colombo (News 1st);  The Kurunegala Medical Office of Health took measures to restrict movement in Mallawapitiya after 07 COVID-19 cases were reported from the area on Thursday (29). The COVID-19 affectees are currently placed in home-quarantine and their first-tier associated...

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Nominate members for Parliamentary Council; Speaker tells PM & Opp. Leader

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lanka’s Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has requested the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader to nominate members of the new Parliamentary Council. The Constitutional Council established via the 19th Amendment to the Constitution...

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No pill given when doing PCR, beware of bogus PHIs; warns police

Colombo (News 1st);  No pill or medication is given prior to performing a PCR test, confirmed Sri Lanka Police, as an incident of PHI impersonators robbing a family was reported on Friday (30). Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said it was reported,...

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State Institutions told to implement ‘work from home’ system

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lankan authorities have asked state employees to resume working from home in major townships as coronavirus infections continue to surge. The president’s office says government offices in Western province, where the recent outbreaks have been...

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No weddings and religious functions in Western Province

Colombo (News 1st);  The Presidential Secretariat said the President had noted no opportunity should be available to congregate people at events such as weddings and religious functions within the Western Province, at the meeting of the Task Force on COVID – 19 prevention...

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Selected filling stations opened in Western Province; CPC

Colombo (News 1st);  The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said selected filling stations in the Western Province will remain open during the quarantine curfew period. Accordingly, 62 filling stations in the Colombo District, 68 filling Stations in the Gampaha District,...

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Gazette declaring Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute a university, issued

Colombo (News 1st); An extraordinary gazette notification declaring “The Gampaha Wickramarachchi University of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka” was issued, dated the 28th of October 2020. The gazette was issued by Professor G. L. Peiris, Minister of Education in consultation...

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Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana – New Air Force Commander

Colombo (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Air Vice Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana as the 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force with effect from the 02nd of November 2020. Air Vice-Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana is currently the Chief of Staff of the Sri...

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Multiple arrests made for the illegal possession of firearms

Colombo (News 1st); The Police Special Task Force arrested an individual for the possession of a T-56 Assault Rifle and ammunition from Hettigoda in Hikkaduwa. Sri Lanka Police said 02 hand-grenades, a locally manufactured gun, and 973 bullets compatible with a T-56 Assault...

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Permission granted to use calculators for Saturday’s Accounts Paper

Colombo (News 1st); The Department of Examinations said the students sitting for Saturday’s (31) Accounts Paper of the G. C. E. Advanced Level Examination will be permitted to use General Purpose Calculators. Commissioner General of Examinations Sanath B. Pujitha said...

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Welikada Prison Hospital to be converted into a treatment center

Colombo (News 1st); The Department of Prisons was instructed to prepare an emergency contingency plan to prevent COVID-19 from entering prisons, said State Minister of Prison Reforms & Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle. Further, the emergency contingency...

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New App on COVID – 19 introduced to President

Colombo (News 1st); The Western Province Health Services Office introduced a new application designed for the benefit of those who are in the medical sector and combatting COVID – 19 operations, to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday. The new app will be instrumental in...

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Who is Jinadasa? PCoI questions Ex-Kaduwela Magistrate

Colombo (News 1st); The Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing incidents of Political Victimization ordered its Police Unit to obtain a comprehensive investigation report on the phone calls made by Former Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala on the 20th of January...

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Customs to repatriate garbage-filled freight containers to the UK

Colombo (News 1st);  The Consumer Protection Unit of Sri Lanka Customs has taken the initial steps to repatriate multiple garbage-filled freight containers back to the United Kingdom. Accordingly, 20 garbage-filled freight containers that were lying inside the Colombo...

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Education Ministry seeks recommendations to re-open schools

Colombo (News 1st); The Education Ministry has sought recommendations from Health Authorities to consider re-opening schools on the 09th of November. Documented recommendations were requested from the Ministry of Health, said the Education Ministry. The Ministry of Education...

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Special operation to trace people who fled Western Province

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police launched an operation to locate the people who violated the quarantine regulations by leaving the Western Province and obtaining accommodation in hotels and guest houses in other areas. On Thursday (29) Sri Lanka Police cautioned residents...

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586 COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday (29)

Colombo (News 1st);  586 COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday (29), said the Department of Government Information. 115 cases were reported from Quarantine Centers. 467 other cases were close contacts of the Peliyagoda Fish Market cluster. In addition, 04 seafarers...

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Expressway Checkpoints to be manned by Sri Lanka Police

Colombo (News 1st); All exits and entry points on Expressways in the Western Province are manned by Sri Lanka Police with additional checkpoints. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said no one will be allowed to enter the expressway, except for exceptional...

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SL’s sovereign default risks on the rise – Goldman Sachs

COLOMBO (News 1st): In a recent report, Investment Bank Goldman Sachs said, Sri Lanka, has been included among several countries, that have a relatively high probability of prolonged debt distress and debt default. Economists point out that such a downgrade will further...

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Opposition warns against US-China rift involving Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News1st): Government and opposition lawmakers have expressed challenging views on US State Secretary Mike Pompeo’s visit to Sri Lanka this week. The US had said that the visit to Sri Lanka as part of its visit to the Asian region, was to counter China’s growing global...

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Government will oppose harmful agreements : Gammanpila

COLOMBO (News1st): The government will oppose any agreement that has at least one clause detrimental to the country, a parliamentarian has said. “What is important is not the name of the agreement, but whether it is harmful to the country or not,” government parliamentarian...

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Curfew in Western Province to prevent long journeys – police

COLOMBO (News1st): The curfew in the western province was imposed since most people travel outside the region during the weekend. “People tend to journey out of Colombo during a long weekend,” police spokesperson Ajith Rohana said. He pointed out that the current situation...

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414 new COVID-19 cases reported on Thursday (29) – 1900 hours

Colombo (News 1st);  414 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Thursday (29), reported the Department of Government Information. 62 – Quarantine Centers 352 – Close contacts of Peliyagoda cluster Accordingly, the total number of cases from the Peliyagoda and Minuwangoda...

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20 garbage filled containers to be repatriated to the UK on Friday

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lanka Customs said 20 Freight Containers with waste material that were lying inside the Colombo Port will be repatriated on Friday (3) to the United Kingdom. Another 65 Freight Containers with waste material will be repatriated on 04th of...

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Sri Lanka mulls house arrests as prisons exceed capacity by 184 percent

COLOMBO (News1st) Sri Lanka’s prisons department is mulling alternative punishments such as house arrests, as prisons exceeded their capacity by a staggering 184.6 percent in 2019, a government report showed. The overpopulation of prisons last year was the highest in at least...

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CPC filling stations to remain open during Quarantine Curfew

Colombo (News 1st);  The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation said CPC filling stations will remain open despite the quarantine curfew coming into effect. CPC Chairman Sumith Wijesinghe speaking to News 1st said 03 Filling Stations will be opened in each Police Area during the...

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Multiple train operations suspended due to Quarantine Curfew

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Railways announced the train time table was amended ahead of the Quarantine Curfew coming into effect for the entire Western Province. From 30th October 2020 to 01st of November 2020 the following trains will not operate; Rambukkana to Fort,...

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People leaving Colombo could result in a surge in COVID-19 cases

Colombo (News 1st);  Acting Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr, Hemantha Herath urged the general public not to leave the Western Province during the long weekend. Dr. Hemantha Herath warned people leaving the Colombo District in a rush would pave the way...

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If you left the Western Province, act responsibly; urges GMOA

Colombo (News 1st);  People from the Western Province who left for other areas ahead of the Quarantine Curfew should act responsibly, urged the Government Medical Officers Association on Thursday (29). Dr. Haritha Aluthge from the GMOA said reports suggest many people...

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