News

Situation in Western province improves with dip in positive cases

Published

4 years ago

2021/01/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

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.

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INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo

Published

1 hour ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.

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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district

Published

6 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

Color: -Red Warning (Take action) Color: -Amber Advisory (Be prepared) Color: -Green Threat is over

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.

The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025

The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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“Census of Population and Housing 2024” Report Presented to the President

Published

7 hours ago

2025/04/7

Priyan

The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.

This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.

The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.

The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.