News
Coronavirus spread slows down but lowering the guard could lead to a resurgence
by SURESH PERERA
The transmission of the coronavirus within the community has witnessed a marginal drop largely due to the quarantine curfew enforced, health officials said, while warning that failure to adhere to preventive guidelines when travel restrictions are relaxed could see a resurgence of the pandemic.
The spread of the virus has slowed down in terms of numbers testing positive, Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, Deputy Director of the Medical Research Institute (MRI) acknowledged, but cautioned that the drop didn’t mean the worst was now over.
Covid-19 positive cases topped 400 following the eruption of the Peliyagoda fish market cluster. However, by Thursday (November 5) patients testing positive for the deadly virus dipped to 383.
The Epidemiology Unit said the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka stood at 12,570, with 6,623 recoveries and 5,748 patients still under medical care as at November 5. The coronavirus death count has climbed to 29 with five more deaths reported.
Most of the patients testing positive are close contacts of the Peliyagoda cluster.
Asked whether the overall pandemic situation has improved with less positive cases reported, Dr. Bandara said that statistics reflect a slow down, but a lot more needs to be done in terms of effectively tackling the threat.
“Without public cooperation, we will be back to square one”, he stressed.
Meanwhile, head of Sri Lanka Association of Government Medical Laboratory Technologists, Ravi Kumadesh, charged that under a new mechanism adopted by the Health Ministry, PCR tests are now being done only as a “last resort”.
The number of PCR tests have been drastically reduced, he claimed, while adding that even positive cases are not immediately admitted to hospital. They are instead placed under quarantine in centres.
The whole truth about the fresh outbreak of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka has been swept under the carpet, Kumadesh alleged. “They are blaming the people for not adhering to preventive guidelines, but not telling them the factual ground situation”.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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