News
Former DGHS Dr. Jasinghe insists on not lowering our guard till COVID-19 is eradicated
By Ifham Nizam
All health measures should be continued to control the transmission of the coronavirus from person to person, former Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe warned. Secretary to the Environment Ministry Dr. Jasinghe said that despite the fact that the Covid-19 virus was currently under control here, however, all health measures taken to control the transmission of the virus from person to person should be continued.
The Secretary made these remarks while participating in a briefing at the premises of the Ministry of Environment on the procedures to be followed for the prevention of coronavirus spread.
The government had instructed every institution to seek the services of a health officer to inform their officers of the required measures for Covid-19 suppression, however the Ministry of Environment did not specifically seek the services of such an officer, he said
Dr. Jasinghe, who took over the task of raising awareness in his Ministry said that the epidemic was currently under control in Sri Lanka but in some countries the Covid -19 and its new variant Omicron was spreading like wildfire. In New York City, for example, patients were still being reported. In the UK, about 100,000 patients were reported daily.
“We have faced a lot of difficulties in the past because of Covid -19. You know how the Sri Lankan government, people and institutions have faced great difficulties. At the same time, we were able to act in a way that did not harm foreign exchange earning institutions such as our Board of Investment as well as exporting institutions,” he added.
He believes that there should be some criteria for the health sector to take the country’s economy and social affairs forward while controlling the Covid-19 spread. “Everyone should act accordingly. The various social inequalities in the country should be prevented from aiding the spread of the pandemic. If social inequalities are included in the virus, the impact of the virus can be doubled.”
“It is now being shown that the Omicron virus, which is spreading worldwide these days, is less effective than other Covid strains. At present there is some control over the Covid-19 epidemic here”, Dr. Jasinghe said adding that even if a certain number of patients were reported, the clear reduction in mortality was a good thing. The reason was that the effect of the virus was gradually diminishing.
He noted that such epidemics were reported about a hundred years ago. The Covid-19 viruses should have stopped, but this time it took a long time for the virus to subside. As the virus intensified, different variants were set off, like firecrackers. Although the Covid-19 virus has some controls, it can be counterattacked. Therefore, all health measures to control the transmission of the virus from person to person should be continued.
Therefore, personal distance should be maintained. Also, wearing face masks, using hygienic fluids, and cleaning hands can be used as a tactic to control the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Therefore, until the Covid-19 was eradicated from our country as well as the entire world, we would have to use the same tactics that were used to prevent it, Dr. Jasinghe said.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.
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 the 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.
Latest News
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.
Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
News
Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks
Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.
Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.
The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.
The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
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