News
Situation in Western province improves with dip in positive cases
Covid-19 under control:
by Suresh Perera
The Covid-19 pandemic in the Western province is now under control with small but manageable clusters emerging from time to time which is inevitable in a situation where society is ‘open’ with people getting about their day-to-day chores, a senior health official said.
The number of positive Coronavirus cases have dipped to a daily average of around 500 with the Western province contributing only about 20% to 30% to the overall figure, says Dr. Hemantha Herath, Deputy Director of Public Health Services.
With figures relating to positive cases now static, there’s an improvement in the situation in the province.
However, this does not mean there’s no room for fresh clusters to surface as the spread of the virus is being fought sans a lockdown in the country, he noted.
“Though ‘positive’ cases remain static, it is still too early to say how the transmission pattern will play out because people continue to move about without any restrictions”, Dr. Herath outlined.
He said the small clusters which surfaced one or two months ago have now been controlled. “The crux of the matter is that we have been able to bring the situation under control in the Western province”.
With ‘positive’ numbers spiking in Colombo earlier, public health officers were struggling to arrest the growing trend of transmission of the virus, but now the situation is under control, the senior medical official said.
With the spread of the deadly virus largely declining, the lockdown imposed on many areas of Colombo have been lifted. The latest area where restrictions were eased last week was Kotahena (Colombo 13).
However, though the lockdown in Maradana (Colombo 10) was lifted, restrictions are still in place at the Maligawatte Housing Scheme.
“We have been under lockdown since November 9”, a resident said.
Though it was announced that the lockdown was lifted, the police continue to disallow people to venture out of the housing complex until the process of PCR screening is completed, he said.
“One member of each family has been asked to report to the Maligawatte police station to undergo PCR tests”, he added.
Dr. Herath said that areas considered ‘vulnerable’ and ‘high risk’ have to be cleared before the lockdown is eased to prevent infected persons posing a threat to people in other areas.
“We are doing it on a step-by-step basis”, he added.
Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
Latest News
May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM
In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
News
Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival
Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
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