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Govt. urges more public support to control spreading of COVID -19
The Government has urged passengers, who have returned from coronavirus hit countries from March 1 to 9, to undergo self-quarantine in their homes to avoid spreading the coronavirus (COVID-19), today.
Defence Ministry urges Lankan passengers, who evade quarantine to register with Police immediately
The Ministry of Defence requests all Sri Lankans who arrived from European countries including UK, Iran, Italy and South Korea from March 1 to 15 to register themselves at the nearest Police station or inform the Police, immediately.
Defence Ministry takes legal action against rumor mongers on COVID- 19 via social media
The Defence Ministry has decided to take legal action against those who are spreading rumors and posting false and mislleadinf information via social media platforms and other digital media sites on coronavirus to create panic among people.
AASL Chief rebuffs rumors on plans to shut down airports due to COVID-19
The Airport & Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) has refuted rumors over plans to shut down the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake due to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), today.
Will warmer weather help fight the coronavirus?
As the novel coronavirus began spreading around the world this year, one common refrain from skeptics of the emergency measures being put in place to stop the outbreak was that it was just like the flu -- dangerous to sensitive groups but routine and not something to get into lockdown over.
Commitment of military medics to fight against coronavirus commendable - Defence Secretary
Commending the utmost dedication and fearlessness coupled with true Sri Lankan spirit of the medical teams of the Tri-Forces to control coronavirus, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the military was the first respondents at any disaster situation.
Govt. is fully geared to face coronavirus – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the government was fully geared to ensure the protection of country’s 21.4 million population from coronavirus or COVID -19, today.
Govt. says no need for public to panic buying and stockpiling of goods
The Government has requested the public not to get panic and stockpiling goods from supermarkets and other retail shops due to fears triggered after some rumors of conducting house-to-house quarantines to detect Corona virus (COVID- 19) carriers.
WHO characterizes COVID-19 as a pandemic
"WHO has been assessing this outbreak around the clock and we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.
‘Ape Yuthukama’; Corona or No-Corona
On 31st January, 33 Sri Lankans stranded at Wuhan, China, the epi-center of the COVID-19 outbreak were charted back to the island through the national airline.
Defence and Health ministries ready to face COVID – 19
The Defence Ministry together with the Health Ministry has taken all necessary precautions to prevent spreading Corona virus (COVID 19) to protect Sri Lankans who are arriving from COVID-19 hit - countries and also over 20 million of country’s population, which is vulnerable to the virus.
Kachchatheevu : A feast to connect two nations
Located at a small hillock, the St. Antony's shrine in Kachchatheevu with its white walls decorated with flowers and lights of different colours gives a serene atmosphere to Catholic devotees who have thronged in after hours long sea journeys.
Defence Ministry launches first War Veterans’ mobile service from Kalutara
Defence Secretary Maj.Gen.Kamal Gunaratne said the Government, which was committed to look after war –heroes, would revise the existing provisions through a new Cabinet paper to solve anomalies in pension and allowances for fallen and disabled war heroes and their families.
Sri Lanka Navy uses satellite information to nab drug smuggling
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) together with the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) have busted, the biggest ever haul of drugs at sea, stocked in three foreign fishing trawlers with 400 kilograms of heroin and 100 kilograms of the ICE (crystal methamphetamine) during a 25 day long joint operation, yesterday.
Sri Lanka's statement to Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Sri Lanka takes note of the report of Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief following his visit to Sri Lanka from 15 to 26 August 2019, which has been presented to this Council today (A/HRC/43/48/Add.2). The advanced unedited report of the Special Rapporteur (SR) was shared with Sri Lanka, for comments, on 3 February 2020, with a deadline of 28 February 2020, i.e. last Friday, leading to an Interactive Dialogue thereon today - Monday.
‘Disabled but not handicapped’
Mahinda Edirisooriya, 48, who lives in Ibbagamuwa in the Kurunegala district, was among the many disabled war veterans who staged the fast unto death, which lasted for nearly 20-days, in last September. The veterans agitation drew much attention as the fast which began with five soldiers in front of the Fort Railway station, triggered a social outcry by concerned public in the acute absence of response from the previous government.
Govt. well geared and focused to face radicalisation, religious extremism and other future threats - Defence Secretary
Attributing radicalisation, re-emergence of terrorism, separatism, religious extremism, organised crimes, drug trafficking and internal disturbances like strikes to main challenges, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Government was well geared and in full focus to ensure country’s national security.
Police, Navy and Army intensify fight against drug smuggling
The Defence Ministry has given instructions to security forces, including the Police, to intensify raids on widespread illegal drug smuggling, including kerala ganja (cannabis), to eradicate drug menace and also to prevent illegal drugs coming into the country.
Sri Lanka hopes UNHRC would recognise ground realities – Minister Gunawardena
The Government said at today’s UNHRC session that Sri Lanka, in keeping with its consistent policy of continued engagement with the Human Rights Council, wished to respond to the current Report of the High Commissioner and would engage in a constructive discussion with this august assembly today, with the sincere hope that this Council would recognize the realities on the ground.
Over 200,000 security forces personnel to get ‘Virusara’ privilege cards
The Defence Ministry has decided to issue ‘Virusara Privilege Cards’ (VPCs) to over 200,000 security forces personnel, including families of fallen war heroes and disabled soldiers to provide them discounts from public and private sector institutions.
Sri Lanka is committed to achieve goals set on accountability and human rights - Minister Gunawardena
The Government said although it has withdrawn from co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’, Sri Lanka remains committed to achieving the goals set by the people of Sri Lanka on accountability and human rights, towards sustainable peace and reconciliation.
Defense Ministry to expedite ‘Virusumithuru’ housing project for families of fallen and disabled soldiers
The Defence Ministry is to expedite the ‘Virusumithuru' housing project, which has been designed to address the housing needs of families of fallen and disabled soldiers.
LTTE terrorism defeated militarily but few Tamil politicians still propagate its ideology – Defence Secretary
Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said although the Sri Lankan military had completely defeated LTTE terrorism militarily 10-years ago, the challenge of defeating its separatist ideology still remained as some Tamil politicians were attempting to propagate it in the minds of Tamil people.
Malaysia AG Faces Calls to Resign After Dropping Terror Charges
Malaysian Attorney-General Tommy Thomas faced calls to resign after he dropped terrorism charges against 12 people who were alleged to have links to Sri Lanka’s Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Govt briefs UNHRC President on decision to withdraw from Resolution 40/1
Foreign Ministry Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha affirmed the Human Rights Council (HRC) President Ambassador Elisabeth Fisslberger on the Sri Lankan Government’s decision to withdraw from its co-sponsorship of resolution 40/1.