News
Curfew extended as corona cases increase, passing 1,000 mark
Indian HC, Brandix deny Indian workers caused outbreak
The Police headquarters yesterday (7) extended the curfew imposed in Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda, Veyangoda and Gampaha to curb the resurgence of the corona pandemic to several other police areas as the authorities stepped up efforts to track down those Brandix apparel workers continuing to avoid quarantine measures.
Since the detection of the fresh community outbreak, a couple days ago 1,022 Brandix workers have tested positive. On Tuesday alone over 700 tested positive.
The police brought Ganemulla, Kiridiwela, Dompe, Malwathuhiripitiya, Mirigama, Nittambuwa, Pugoda, Weeragula, Weliweriya, Pallewala, Yakkala, Kandana, Ja–ela and Seeduwa under curfew.
The Island
raised growing accusations that Indian workers employed by Brandix at its Minuwangoda manufacturing facility caused the crisis with the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
The Island
asked whether the IHC had been aware of the number of Indian workers at Minuwangoda and whether they had arrived there this year. The IHC spokesperson said: “As far as our understanding goes all international arrivals are subjected to health protocols and procedures stipulated by the government of Sri Lanka in view of the covid-19 pandemic. Any question in this regard may be directed to concerned authorities.”
A top Brandix spokesperson told The Island that Indian workers hadn’t been brought to their Minuwangoda facility or any other in Sri Lanka. There was absolutely no basis for that accusation, the spokesperson said. According to the official, some Sri Lankans who had been working in Brandix facility in India had been brought back some time back and they had been subjected to all protocols and procedures in place.
Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi and police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana urged the public to cooperate with the government to bring the situation under control.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa cancelled a scheduled meeting with editors of national newspapers and other senior representatives of print and electronic media scheduled for 10.30 am yesterday as the government stepped up efforts to bring the situation under control.
An elderly COVID-19 patient receiving treatment at the Ragama hospital walked out unnoticed. He was later found. (SF)
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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