News
Highest number of curfew violations reported today
The highest number of curfew violations – 1,800 arrests- reported, so far, has been reported during the last 24-hours that ended at 6.00 am today (08).
Army transforms abandoned VOA building into a new isolation hospital
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) declared open a new isolation hospital equipped with 40 patient beds at Iranawila, Chilaw in the Puttalam district yesterday (April 7).
Navy General Hospital Colombo delivers medicine to patients receiving long-term treatment
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has distributed monthly medicine allocations among its retired and serving naval personnel and their family members who are attending clinics in Navy General Hospital Colombo.
Immigration and Emigration Officers Association donates staffer’s day’s pay to the COVID -19 Healthcare Fund
The Immigration and Emigration Officers Association (IEOA) has donated Rs. 547,063.43 to the ‘COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund’ to strengthen the Government’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
Law veteran Raja Goonaratne appointed Director General, National Secretariat for Non-governmental Organizations
Humanitarian law expert Raja Goonaratne was appointed as the Director General at the National Secretariat for Non-governmental Organizations this morning (April 08).
New circular to issue curfew passes to reduce unnecessary queues at Police stations
Issuing new curfew passes will be carried out in four categories by the Police Headquarters, offices of Senior DIGs in-charge of each province, divisional Superintendents of Police (SPs) and police stations in order to reduce unnecessary queuing-up at Police stations, the new circular issued by the President’s Media Division (PMD) this evening (March 7) stated.
Navy extends humanitarian relief; facilitates return of Sri Lankan crew member aboard MSC ‘Magnifica’
Anura Bandara Herath, reportedly the only Sri Lankan to be onboard the cruise ship MSC ‘Magnifica’, which was facilitated by the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) to disembark, following comprehensive quarantine procedures at the Colombo port today (April 6).
Navy to thwart possible attempts to cross Bolgoda Lake by Atulugama residents
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), which has taken swift measures to thwart possible attempts to cross Bolgoda Lake by bordering Atulugama residents, who are now in a total lockdown and advised to retain quarantined, has deployed Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) at the adjacent areas of Bolgoda Lake from yesterday (April 5).
Sri Lanka Telecom and ‘Manusath Derana’ collaborate in providing PPEs for health professionals to fight against COVID 19
Sri Lanka Telecom and ‘Manusath Derana’ collaborate in providing PPEs for health professionals to fight against COVID 19.
Govt. requests ayurvedic medical practitioners to find medicine to fight COVID-19
Over 60 Sri Lanka's most leading indigenous medical practitioners met at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) to immediately explore the possibilities of finding an alternative traditional medicine to cure COVID-19 pandemic through age-old 'Hela Wedakama', practised for many centuries in the island-nation in keeping with 'Ayurveda' and 'Siddha' systems.
Over 3,372 persons are under quarantine in military led centres
A total of 3,169 people, including those who returned overseas, has undergone the 14-day quarantine process in centres run by the tri-forces, sources at the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) at Rajagiriya said.
No decision to declare complete lockdown – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen.(Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said considering the present situation related to COVID-19 in the country, the government had not taken a decision to announce a complete lockdown during the next week.
Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd donates Rs.4 m worth machine to KDU Hospital to test COVID-19
The Allianz Insurance Lanka Ltd has made a donation to the Kotalawala Defence University (KDU) Hospital to purchase a High Performance Real Time Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) machine to facilitate COVID-19 testing at the hospital.
Demand for narcotics high, despite coronavirus threat – SLN Commander Vice Admiral De Silva
· Reveals the SLN has busted an international drug shipment; seizes Rs. 12.5 billion narcotics in high seas
The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) on 28 March, confiscated approximately a ton of narcotics including 500kgs of crystal methamphetamine (Ice), being transported on a fishing vessel in international waters in the Indian Ocean.
Amidst COVID-19 threat, military is on high alert to maintain national security- Defence Secretary
· Says all intelligence agencies are strengthened to prevent any security threat
While the entire world is engulfed in COVID-19 fear, the Sri Lankan Government, which is taking all possible precautionary measures to contain the virus, has taken serious measures to combat drug trafficking, terrorism and extremism to maintain national security, Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.
Quarantined 206 returnees released from SLAF Quarantine Centre in Vanni
A total of 206 persons, who had undergone a mandatory quarantine period at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) established quarantine center at Vanni, have been released in the morning today (March 31).
Navy seizes largest ever drug haul worth over Rs. 12,500 million
Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) Offshore Patrol Vessel SLNS ‘Sayura’ has seized a vessel carrying a large consignment of narcotics in seas about 463 nautical miles (835km) off the country's Southern coast.
Curfew passes to be issued only for essential services – Police
Media can get curfew passes under essential services.
The Police said curfew passes would not be issued except for essential services and for the patients in critical conditions under the recommendations of Divisional Medical Officer of Health or Public Health Inspector.
Navy distributed drinking water and dry rations among needy
The Navy conducted a social responsibility program to distribute drinking water and dry ration among religious places and poor families in the North Central Naval Command from March 26 to 27.
Philanthropists donate dry ration parcels to distribute among the needy
Supporting the government’s effort in assisting low income families affected, during curfew to control the spreading of coronavirus, a group of philanthropists handed over 85 dry ration parcels to be distributed among needy (daily wage earners) in the Colombo district.
MOD Seva Vanitha Unit distributes dry food parcels to minor staff
Chairperson of the Ministry’s Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Chithrani Gunaratne has distributed dry ration parcels, which were received from some philanthropists, among minor staffers in the Defence Ministry.
Defence Ministry urges public to heed to curfew law
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was re-imposing islandwide curfew to restrict public movements and also gatherings to keep spreading of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at bay to ensure public safety and health.
Curfew re-imposed to restrict people’s movements - Acting IGP C.D.Wickramaratne
Strictly prohibiting travel between all districts in the country, the Police curfew, which is in force in Colombo, Gampaha and Puttalam districts and the Northern Province will be lifted...
Defence Ministry calls for more public support to fight against COVID-19
While strictly warning rumour mongers to avoid making misleading statements using the cyber space to create unnecessary tension among people over the Government’s efforts to mitigate coronavirus or COVID – 19, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has requested all Sri Lankans, including those who are living abroad, to support Government’s efforts to contain coronavirus outbreak by being indoors and following the advices given by the Health and Defence ministries.
Govt. requests public to refrain from gatherings and movements during declared holidays
With newly reported nine patients and the total confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 50 today, the Government has urged the public to refrain from joining leisure tours and pilgrimages during the holidays declared by the State to prevent the rapidly spreading coronavirus.