News
Ranil pushes for extending lockdown
BY SANATH NANAYAKKARE
UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday urged the government to extend the lockdown in keeping with the advice of health experts by one or two more weeks.
“Today we have reached a point where the damage caused by a lockdown is far less than the damage caused by not having a lockdown”, he said.
‘At the moment we are are treating people who have tested positive for the virus. But we have to reduce the rapid spread taking place at large. The current 10-day lockdown received everyone’s support, but it is not sufficient according to medical experts. Another one to two weeks’ lockdown would be required,” he said.
He also recommended seeking the assistance of the IMF to deal with the economic repercussions the country is faced with, as the country has already received $ 720 million from the IMF for COVID control.
“The entire nation would support an extension as it supported the current lockdown. I would like to recommend to the government, President, Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers that we extend the lockdown in line with expert medical advice and also considering the data on coronavirus case counts and the number of deaths due to the disease.” he said.
He further said: “Mangala Samaraweea, MTV’s S. Rajamahendran, President’s Counsel D. S Wijesinghe and eminent personality Gowri Thawarasa passed away due to COVID. Six people whom I knew passed away on Monday and Tuesday. There have been 5,000 COVID related deaths since August 7. Three thousand deaths have occurred within the last 20 days. This is a high rate of deaths,” he said.
The UNP leader also said that COVID-19 case numbers were found to be inaccurate and therefore the real spread of the disease was not correctly known.
Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.
Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
[PMD]
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 05 May 2025, valid for 06 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, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
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.
Voting commences to elect members for 339 local government authorities
President holds talks with Vietnamese President
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
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