News

Chinese vaccine arriving today

Published

5 years ago

2021/03/31

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The first batch of Sinopharm vaccines, donated by China, would arrive in Sri Lanka today (31), but it would only be administered to Chinese nationals living in Sri Lanka, Co-Cabinet spokesman and Minister of Plantation, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday.

He said: “The results of clinical trials of the vaccine are in Chinese and they are being translated into English. Once that is done many believe the WHO will approve the vaccine and once that happens Sri Lankans too can get the Chinese vaccine”.

According to Minister Pathirana 855,000 people have so far received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Sri Lanka still has over 400, 000 doses left for booster shots. More AstraZeneca vaccine doses will arrive in April and May.

The Cabinet had recently approved the purchase of seven million doses of Russian Sputnik – V vaccine at a cost of USD 69.6 million, Dr. Pathirana said.

He added that with those quantities, 14 million Sri Lankans could be vaccinated.

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Bus fares increased by 12.19% from midnight today [23]

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Bus fares have been increased by 12.19% with effect from midnight today [23rd March 2026].

The minimum fare will be increased from Rs 27 to Rs 30 while the maximum fare of Rs2159/- will be increased to 2422/-

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Public will not be served as Computer system failure at Department of Registration of Persons

Published

5 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

The Acting Commissioner General of Registration of Persons has announced that due to an unexpected failure of the computer system of the Department of Registration of Persons, all services, including the one day service will not be held on Tuesday (24th March) at the Head Office and all Provincial offices.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts

Published

13 hours ago

2026/03/23

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 22 March 2026, valid for 23 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.