News
Pavitra at last finalises covid-19 gazette
New spokesman appointed, other officials told not to deal with media; Brandix cluster 1,770
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday (15) discussed with Health Ministry Pavithra Wanniarachchi ways and means of bringing the Minuwangoda Covid-19 cluster under control.
Health sources said that 13 Brandix workers were among 49 more persons who tested positive yesterday. Sources said the others were relatives, friends and associates of Brandix workers attached to their apparel manufacturing facility. With yesterday’s cases, the total number of covid-19 patients rose to 1,770.
The government has ordered the closure of all cinemas till Oct 31 as Minister Wanniarachchi approved the issuance of new gazette to curb the resurgence of Covid-19. In terms of the new gazette, a person found guilty of violating rules and regulations can be fined up to Rs 10,000 or sentenced to six months imprisonment or made to undergo both. Besides, those entering work places should always wear masks, maintain one-meter distance between two persons, temperature tests should be conducted on workers before they enter workplaces, sufficient facilities and sanitizers should be made available, registers of all persons entering work places should be maintained.
Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr. S. Sridharan has advised Provincial Directors and Regional Directors of Health Services and Directors/Medical superintendents of hospitals on how they should deal with print, electronic and social media. Dr. Sridharan said that Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera would function as the official spokesman and others should refrain from talking to the media. (SF)
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a four-day state visit to Vietnam on 03 May, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said. Since the presidential election, President Dissanayake has so far visited India, China and the UAE.
The 5th annual Sri Lanka-Pakistan Bilateral Defence Dialogue commenced on Monday (April 28) in Islamabad, Pakistan, marking a continued commitment to strengthening defence cooperation between the two nations.
The MoD statement: “The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha accompanied by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and Additional Secretary (Defence) of the Ministry of Defence Jayantha Edirisinghe. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Lieutenant General (retd.) Muhammad Ali, Secretary Defence of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In conjunction with the on-going defence dialogue, Defence Secretary Thuyacontha held a side-line meeting yesterday (April 29) with Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
These high-level engagements aim to enhance bilateral cooperation, foster mutual understanding on regional security dynamics and explore opportunities for defence collaboration. Both nations share a longstanding relationship rooted in mutual respect and strategic cooperation. The dialogue reflects the growing importance of partnerships in maintaining stability and promoting peace in the South Asian region.
The three-day dialogue, which concludes today (April 30), is expected to reinforce bilateral defence ties and contribute to broader regional security objectives.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), conducted a two day seminar on disarmament for Sri Lanka Foreign Service Officers on 25 and 26 April, 2025 at the Ministry. The text of the FM statement: “Over 40 officers, based in Colombo, attended the workshop physically while over 60 officers, attached to Sri Lanka Missions abroad, followed the Seminar virtually.
Director of UNIDIR, Dr. Robin Geiss, Senior Researcher at the UNIDIR Security and Technology Programme, Dr. Dongyoun Cho, and Associate of Political Affairs, Ms. Fanny Sebban of UNIDIR, conducted the Seminar as resource personnel. They shared their expertise and perspectives on the global disarmament landscape and evolving threats to international peace and security, etc.
Director of UNIDIR, Dr. Robin Geiss, called on Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and discussed closer cooperation between the Ministry and UNIDIR.
The Human Resource Development, Research & Training Division and the United Nations and Human Rights Division of the Ministry organised the Seminar initiated by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva.”
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