News

Ominous warning: Schools might be closed again

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/18

By Rathindra Kuruwita

A number of students and teachers in various parts of the country had tested COVID-19 positive and schools would have to be closed if the trend continued, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told the media yesterday.

Dr. Herath made the statement when journalists asked him about reports that 148 children and 78 teachers in the Southern Province had tested COVID positive.

“This is not something unique to the South. There are many such cases around the country. If this trend continues, we will have to close schools again. We just started schools after months, so everyone has the responsibility to be careful,” he said.

Dr. Herath added that if the number of COVID cases increased, travel restrictions would also have to be imposed again. The number of daily COVID detections had now crossed the 700 mark, he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Deepal Perera Consultant Paediatrician Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children also said that there was a spike in COVID cases among children. Given that most children had not been vaccinated, they had become more vulnerable to infection, he said.

“Most adults have now been vaccinated. So, now it’s the children who are most vulnerable to infection. We must all follow COVID guidelines,” he said.

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Latest News

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

Published

9 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

10 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.

Latest News

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

Published

19 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.