News
Covid-19 situation improves with significant decline in positive cases
But no room for complacency says State Minister
By Suresh Perera
The overall Covid-19 situation in Sri Lanka has improved with the number of positive cases reported from across the country witnessing a decline over the past two weeks.
“We have observed a significant drop in numbers testing positive for the virus, which is a welcome development, but certainly not a reason for complacency”, says Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and Covid Disease Control.
Overall, positive cases based on PCR screening have dipped to 3% from the earlier 6%, she said. “We have also been able to reduce PCR testing as a result”.
Positive Covid-19 cases, which spiked to almost one thousand per day earlier, have dipped to below 400 over the past fortnight.
Asked whether the ongoing inoculation drive had played a role in keeping the numbers down, the State Minister said the vaccination campaign, which began on January 29, had helped in tackling the pandemic situation as it takes three weeks to form antibodies.
Even though Covid-19 numbers have tumbled, the public should continue to adhere to health safety guidelines and avoid crowded places in particular, Dr. Fernandopulle cautioned.
It should be borne in mind that a sudden surge could always happen as seen now in the United States, Italy and India, she warned. “In Sri Lanka also, we had to face the repercussions of relaxing restrictions during Christmas in 2020 and the New Year”.
On whether there’s a move to restrict inter-provincial travel during the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the State Minister there was still no such formal decision.
There is no issue in people observing traditional customs and celebrating the New Year as long as health safety measures are followed, Dr. Fernandopulle emphasized. “If there’s complacency, we will have to pay the price for it”.
Meanwhile, health officials said that more than 800,000 people in the Colombo and Gampaha districts have already been administered the Covid jab.
The inoculation drive was launched in Sri Lanka with the donation of 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.
News
Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.
She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.
The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations. 
The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.
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