News
Lanka monitors Nipah virus amidst Kerala outbreak, assures no immediate threat
By Chaminda Silva
In light of the recent Nipah virus outbreak in the South Indian state of Kerala, health authorities in Sri Lanka are closely monitoring the situation while reassuring the public that there is no immediate threat within the country.
Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige acknowledged the emergence of the virus but pointed out that Nipah virus is not a novel threat, as it was first identified in Malaysia back in 1998. Dr. Ginige elaborated on the virus’s history, highlighting that since the initial outbreak, sporadic cases have occurred in various regions, including Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines.
“Bangladesh, in particular, witnessed almost annual outbreaks between 2001 and 2013, with most cases linked to contact with fruit bats,” Dr. Ginige explained. While acknowledging the virus’s presence, he emphasized that Sri Lanka is maintaining vigilant surveillance to stay informed about any new developments regarding the virus.
Nipah virus typically manifests symptoms between four and 14 days after exposure, with the most common symptoms being fever, followed by headache, cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and vomiting.
The transmission of Nipah virus can occur between humans and other animals, primarily through the consumption of products contaminated by bat urine, saliva, or droppings. Furthermore, human-to-human transmission can transpire through direct contact with infected patients and their bodily secretions, including urine, blood, and respiratory droplets.
Nipah virus is classified as an RNA virus, a category known for its propensity for genetic mutations. These mutations facilitate the virus’s ability to adapt to new hosts and respond to challenges, including those posed by the immune systems of their hosts.
As Sri Lanka remains on high alert, health authorities are working diligently to monitor the situation, ensuring the safety and well-being of the public while keeping a watchful eye on the evolving dynamics of the Nipah virus.
News
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 19.05.2025 to purchase four (04) automated passenger clearance gates for Bandaranayake International Airport.
In addition, it is expected to extend the automated passenger clearance gates facility so far given only to the Sri Lankans
parallel to the e – passport issuance system to be introduced in the year 2027 also to the foreigners who travel to and from this country.
Furthermore, considering also the number of air passengers rapidly increasing with the fast – forwarding business and tourism field, the appropriateness to increase the total automated passenger clearance gates up to twelve (12) in number has been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs to initiate the procurement and installation of 12
automated passenger clearance gates altogether with the already approved four (04) and another eight (08) automated passenger clearance gates adhering to the formal procurement procedure
Based on the observations submitted by the Task Force on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing for Terrorism, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 18.12.2024 to amend the Trust Ordinance No. 9 of 1917 including amendments proposed by the Financial
Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, clearance of the Attorney General has been granted for the Trust (Amendment) Draft Bill formulated by the Legal Draftsman.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Justice and National Integration
to publish the said draft bill in the government gazette notification and thereby, submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Action was taken to provide a fuel relief for the fuel consumers during the months of April, May and June of 2026 to redress by minimizing the impact caused to the day today life of the citizens of this country as well as the entire economy due to the price hike of petroleum fuel in the global market resulting from the war situation in the Middle East.
Government mediation is essential for minimizing the impact on the day to today life of citizens in this country due to that war situation not being ended further. Therefore, it has been planned to redress on the sale price for Auto Diesel and Industrial Diesel for a period of 03 months by the Government to provide relief to the public as well as to maintain the prices at a bearable level to the consumers without escalating the fuel prices in this country compared to the escalation of fuel prices
in the international market.
Therefore, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to
allocate provisions subject to the monthly limitations respectively as rupees 15 billion for the month of October, rupees 13.5 billion for the month of November and rupees 12.15 billion for the month of December to provide the said relief
Cabinet nod to increase the number of new automated passenger clearance gates at the Bandaranayake International Airport to 12
Draft Bill for amending the Trust Ordinance
Implementing further relief programme to Public sffected by the Middle East conflict situation
Establishment of a Spectrum Management and Monitoring System and a Quality of Service and Quality of Experience System for the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka
Appointment of a Committee for the Restitution of Sri Lankan Cultural Heritage Held Abroad
Ten-Year National Action Plan on the Social Protection Sector (2026–2035)
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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