News
Authorities double down on counter measures
COVID-19 count from latest cluster jumps to 80
By Norman Palihawadane
Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, yesterday, requested people to adhere to maximum precautions as the new cluster of COVID-19 has a dangerous potential of spreading out of the Gampaha District to other areas.
He said there was, however, no need to horde items unnecessarily, although a police curfew was imposed in several areas, following the detection of a COVID-19 patient in the community on Saturday.
The people needed to avoid unnecessary travel and follow health safety instructions religiously, he said.
Lt. Gen. Silva said that the curfew had been extended to three police areas due to the large number of employees in the garment factory, where the infected woman worked as a supervisor.
As at yesterday the number of COVID-19 positive cases found from the latest cluster had increased up to 69.
The curfew imposed in Veyangoda, Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda police areas continues to be in effect.
The Army Commander said the family of the COVID-19 positive individual in Divulapitiya had been directed to undergo quarantine together with other families she had interacted with and the employees and the supervisor of the garment factory had been advised to undergo self-quarantine.
It has not yet been ascertained how a woman living in the Divulapitiya area in Gampaha became infected with COVID-19. Lt. General Silva said they were still inquiring into how the individual contracted the coronavirus and vowed to trace the root cause of the outbreak within the coming days.
Director General of the Government Information Department Nalaka Kaluwewa said that the health sector was seeking the assistance of the general public to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said that the health sector emphasised that the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health covering all sectors should be strictly followed.
The guidelines included instructions covering 56 sectors on how to continue public and professional activities, while preventing the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak.
He noted that the health sector further emphasised that the public and the respective professionals should follow those guidelines at all times.
The health sector would closely monitor whether the recommendations were being followed properly, he said.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 04 May 2025, valid for 05 May 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala 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.
“Power failures on election day could occur due to natural causes or sabotage”
Funds allocated for hiring power generators for the counting centres were inadequate, and the Grama Niladaris (GNs) would not be able to ensure a back-up power supply to those places, President of the Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Association, Nandana Ranasinghe warned yesterday.
Addressing a press conference, Ranasinghe said: “Under these circumstances, it will not be possible to provide the counting centres with generators. Funds must also be allocated for hiring electric bulbs, cables and transporting generators as well.
“Unless funds are made available immediately, the GNs must not be held responsible if something goes wrong in the event of a power failure, either due to natural causes or sabotage. The GNs must not be asked to bear the cost of supplying back-up power to counting centres.
“In some areas, the District Returning Officers are pressuring the GNs to bear the cost of hiring power generators. The GNs must not be forced to spend their personal funds to provide facilities to counting centres.
“If a power outage occurs, it will definitely cause issues at counting centres. In the event of disruptions to the vote counting process, the results in the polling divisions under the centres may have to be annulled.”
More than 65,000 police officers would be deployed for the 06 May local government (LG) elections from today (05), Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga told The Island, yesterday. The police personnel will include members of the Police Special Task Force, intelligence units, security divisions, and mobile patrol teams.
Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Varuna Gamage told The Island that 8,500 military personnel would be deployed on the roads across the country in view of the LG elections.
He said the Army would coordinate with the police, and that troops in all military camps had been placed on standby to face any situation.
By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Showers expected in most provinces during the afternoon or night today
Fund issues may leave counting centres without back-up power tomorrow: GNs’ trade union
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