Monk begins fast unto death against MCC deal

President calls for an increase in PCR testing

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has called for an increase in the number of PCR tests in areas such as Rajanganaya, where new cases were identified recently. The President also said that although day to day life has returned to normalcy, precautionary measures should not be relaxed as the risk of the COVID-19 virus spreading remains high. President highlighted the importance of carrying out simple tests such as regular body temperature checks in Rehabilitation Centers, prisons, universities, scho

14 Jul, 2020

Gazette on health guidelines to be issued this week

The Government is to Gazette the health guidelines issued on COVID-19 that are to be followed during the upcoming General Election. Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi said the health guidelines will be gazetted within the next two days. The measure comes as Chairman of the National Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya warned that the 5th August Parliament Election will be at risk if the health guidelines are not gazetted. He said that Public Health Inspectors had raised concerns over

16 Jul, 2020

Presenting inmates to court temporarily suspended

The Department of Prisons has decided to temporarily suspend presenting prisoners for court proceedings. An official from the Prison Headquarters told the Colombo Gazette that the decision was drawn following discussions held with a number of Courts. He said it is a precautionary measure taken in view of the coronavirus outbreak reported at the Welikada prison. An inmate from the Welikada prison, who had undergone a three month rehabilitation period at the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre-

14 Jul, 2020