Ten MPs identified as close contacts of Minister Vasudeva instructed to undergo PCR tests

Published

5 years ago

2021/01/12

Ten MPs have been identified as close contacts of the Water Supply Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday.

The 10 MPs have been instructed to appear for PCR tests, parliament sources said.

Serjeant-at-Arms of Parliament Narendra Fernando said that all MPs would be subjected to PCR tests on Jan 13 and 15.

MP Gayantha Karunathilaka and his family had tested negative for COVID-19, Narendra Fernando said.

Narendra Fernando said MP Karunathilaka had been identified as a close associate of MP Rauff Hakeem, who recently tested positive for the highly contagious virus.

Karunathilaka is reported to have attended Parliament on Jan 05 together with Hakeem.

Narendra Fernando said upon being notified, MP Karunathilaka had volunteered undergo PCR tests.

He said the test results had confirmed that the MP and his family had not contracted the virus.

Nearly, 15 MPs who come into direct contact with MP Hakeem have been identified.

Minister Nanayakkara is the third MP to have tested positive for COVID-19, following MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara and Rauff Hakeem.

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Financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces – PM

Published

1 hour ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. She emphasized that these funds must be utilized effectively for school development and requested that relevant authorities submit proposals to address existing shortcomings in school infrastructure.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a cordial meeting with Muslim women in the Wellawaya area on 1st of March.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister met with the Chief Sanghanayake of the Uva Wellassa region and the Chief Incumbent of Yudaganawa Rajamaha Viharaya, Venerable Rajakeeya Panditha Most Venerable Galtemwatte Nandarathana Nayaka Thero, and briefed him on the current progress of the new education reforms.

She further stated that, while ensuring due recognition for vocational education, steps are being taken to develop 50 vocational training centers equipped with modern courses, covering all 25 districts of the country. She also noted that new education reforms will be introduced for Grade 6 starting in 2027, and that the printing of new textbooks will be entrusted to the Educational Publications Department of the Ministry of Education.

The occasion was attended by Uva Province Governor Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security R.M. Jayawardhana, Member of Parliament Ruwan Wijewardene, local government representatives, the Buttala Divisional Secretary and the District Secretary.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Free 14 day visa extension for visitors unable to depart Sri Lanka

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Department of Immigration and Emmigration has decided effective from 28th February 2026, to grant a free fourteen (14) day visa extension to all tourists who are unable to leave Sri Lanka due to flight cancellations.

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Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrives in Colombo

Published

8 hours ago

2026/03/4

Priyan

The Maldives Coast Guard Ship Huravee arrived at the Port of Colombo for replenishment purposes on 02 Mar 26. The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The ship is a 48.9m long Offshore Patrol Vessel which is commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Nafiu Mohamed.

Meanwhile, the ship’s crew is scheduled to visit several tourist attractions in the city of Colombo, during their stay in the island.