News
Lockdown extension or removal depends on morbidity and mortality rates – Govt. Spokesman
BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE
KANDY – Information Minister and Government Media Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said in Kandy on Saturday (05) that there was the possibility of the government having to extend lockdowns beyond June 14 depending on the Covid-19 morbidity and mortality rates.
Minister Rambukwella said it was up to the people to ensure that the pandemic did not spread so that the country could be reopened.
It was the health experts who would decide whether to lift the lockdowns, Minister Rambukwella said, in answer to media queries.
The Task Force for combating Covid-19 met twice a week and decisions were held on matters relating to counter the epidemic and the extent of relief granted to the people, the Minister said., adding that the government continued to pay the Rs, 5,000 each to low income families. The government had spent Rs. 286 million on projects like granting relief during the pandemic period. However it was unavoidable that there were some shortcomings, which the government would do everything in its power to rectify. Minister Rambukwella met journalists after attending a meeting at the secretariat of the Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage.
BBC reported that at least 17 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.
The blast happened when the mosque was packed with worshippers and more than 90 people were injured.
A section of the building was destroyed, and officials say people are buried under the rubble. Several others are being taken to local hospitals.
The cause of the explosion is unclear.
BBC reported that residents in flood-hit northern New Zealand are bracing for more heavy rains as officials issued severe weather alerts.
At least four people have died and a state of emergency was declared in Auckland, which on Friday experienced its worst downpour on record.
by Priyan de Silva
Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka, Nimal Punchihewa, asked to comment on a special news release, purportedly issued by the Director General of the Department of Government Information, on Sunday (29), told The Island that preparations for the 09 March local government elections were going ahead, as planned, and that the media statement at issue was misleading.
The media statement says: “The gazette notice with signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government election process has not been sent to the Government Press for printing.”
Punchihewa requested the public not to be misled by any misinformation being spread in an attempt to create doubts in their minds.He also reiterated that the EC would not be deterred by any acts of intimidation.
Three of the EC members have been threatened with death by an unidentified caller to resign from their posts. They are S. B. Divaratne, M. M. Mohamed and K. P. P. Pathirana. The Opposition has accused the government of trying to sabotage the LG polls.
At least 17 killed after explosion in Peshawar mosque
More heavy rain ahead for New Zealand’s largest city
Very heavy showers (150mm) likely in Northern, Eastern, Uva, North Central and Central Provinces
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