Van on fire on expressway

UDA Chairman tests positive

By Vyshnavy Velrajh Urban Development Authority (UDA) Chairman Harshan de Silva has tested positive for COVID-19. Harshan de Silva told Colombo Gazette that he had suffered from fever on Sunday (30 January) and Monday (1), following which he had undergone PCR and rapid antigen tests on Monday evening. He said both test results had returned positive and he had been admitted to the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (IDH) yesterday (2). The UDA Chairman said he had not reported to work

03 Feb, 2021

NATA warns smoking, alcohol make COVID vaccines less effective

The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) in Sri Lanka has warned that smoking and alcohol makes COVID vaccines less effective. NATA Chairman Dr. Samadhi Rajapaksa said that it has been ascertained that alcohol and cigarettes reduce the immunity in the body. As a result, it is only fair to administer the vaccine to those who do not consume alcohol or cigarettes, he said. Dr. Rajapaksa said that people consuming alcohol and cigarettes have shown less immunity against COVID-19. He s

03 Feb, 2021

Damage from Katunayake factory fire being assessed

By Vyshnavy Velrajh Authorities are assessing the damage caused to a factory in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in which a fire broke out today (3). Joint Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union Anton Marcus told Colombo Gazette that the fire broke out at a recycling goods factory this morning. He said the fire has now been contained. Meanwhile, the Police said the fire had only damaged the recycling goods factory and had not spread to any other buildings.

03 Feb, 2021