News
Home » NewsWholesale violation of lockdown rules
This picture in Pettah yesterday shows the haphazard way in the lockdown is being imposed while the COVID-19 pandemic death toll topped the one thousand mark for a single week. Health guidelines were observed in the breach and it was business (almost) as ususal. Pic by Eshan Fernando
Food rationing on the cards to ensure fair prices
A rationing system is being mooted by the Government for essential food stuffs to arrest the skyrocketing prices. Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena is to propose to the Cabinet a rationing system for sugar and essential items sold via Lanka Sathosa outlets to provide items at lower than the market prices that have risen sharply in [...]
WHO-linked medical specialists call for lockdown extension till Oct 2 to save thousands of lives
A WHO- facilitated group of Sri Lankan medical professionals has recommended extending the current lockdown to October 2 or at least till September 18 which, if implemented, would save thousands of lives from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. “Extending lockdowns past August 31 is projected to reduce deaths from COVID-19. If the lockdowns are extended to [...]
BASL leaders watch video of controversial meeting
Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) representatives have been shown a video recording of the controversial recent webinar held for judicial officers under the title “Matters relating to judicial proceedings in the context of the Covid-19 Pandemic.” The recording had been shown to BASL representatives on the instructions of Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Chairman and [...]
Pandemic at peak: 1,217 deaths this week
COVID-19 fatalities continue to surge, with this week recording the highest number of deaths in a week since the beginning of the pandemic. The death toll released yesterday was 212, while 4,582 cases were also reported yesterday. This week 1,217 COVID-19 related deaths were reported while 27,059 people were infected with the virus, the Health [...]
Tourists coming from covid-hit India and Israel
Following a decision to invite tourists from India from next Wednesday, the Government has decided to fly down tourists from Israel where the number of COVID 19 cases is on the rise despite vaccinating a majority of its citizens. Along with Israel, Sri Lanka will be inviting tourists from Russia and European countries. Plans are [...]
Heavier fines of US$ 500 for overstaying foreigners
The Department of Immigration and Emigration has increased the penalty for overstaying foreigners without a valid visa to USD 500 in addition to the visa fee, a senior official said. He said the the earlier the penalty was imposed in three stages until the new fine was announced yesterday. Until yesterday, the penalty for overstaying [...]
Civil society, NGOs want to help in COVID-19 efforts, but say no official mechanism to do so
Civil society and NGOs are ready to help with Sri Lanka’s national Covid-19 efforts, but have been shut out of official mechanisms despite repeatedly offering assistance, authoritative sources said. Some groups are even willing to give their residential facilities as intermediate or triage centres, provided there is some partnership between the organisations and the Government, [...]
Doctors perform successful stent procedure on COVID patient
The life of a COVID-19 patient, who had suffered a severe heart attack, was saved after a medical team at the National Hospital successfully conducted a two-hour long heart surgery on Tuesday. The team was led by Consultant Cardiologist Gotabhaya Ranasinghe, who said the patient’s heart attack had been brought on by complications due to [...]
Former editor Elmo passes away
Former Senior Editor Elmo Gunaratna passed away yesterday at the age of 89. He served in journalism for six decades. A past pupil of Ananda College, Colombo, he started his career at the “Sinhalaya” newspaper before joining Lake House publications. He quit Lake House in protest when it was taken over by the Government in [...]
‘Potta Naufer’ succumbs to COVID-19
Mohamed Niyas Naufer alias Potta Naufer, who was sentenced to death for the killing of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya passed away yesterday after being infected with COVID19. He was receiving treatment at the Prisons hospital in Welkada He was sentenced after he was found guilty for killing Mr Ambepitiya in 2004.
Hotels turn to upmarket patient care, fine dining becomes takeaway
The hotel industry, hard hit by the series of pandemic lockdowns, has shown resilience by transforming business activities to patient care. In the absence of tourist arrivals, many hotels have registered themselves as Intermediate Patient Care Centres (IPCC), providing care and comfort to patients who can afford the cost. Some 55 hotels have turned themselves [...]
Parakrama Samudraya: Walking path project to go ahead despite protests, says UDA
The Urban Development Authority and the Irrigation Department are to go ahead with the construction of a walking path on the banks of the Parakarama Samudraya despite objections. UDA Director General N.P.K. Ranaweera told the Sunday Times there were no basis for protests and therefore they would continue to build a 2km-long pathway along the [...]
Strong winds, heavy rains for another week
Strong winds and downpours are forecast to continue across the country until the next weekend. Meteorology Department forecaster Srimal Herath said the south-western regions, including Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces as well as Galle and Matara districts will experience strong winds due to the Southwest Monsoon. Some areas in the Northwest may experience heavy rains until [...]
Joy at the end of gruelling battle between life and death
Over the moon……not only the COVID-19 recovered patient but the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital’s ECMO team! Off the ventilator, but still on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) after passing through a touch-and-go time, the video call from the hospital bed by this 39-year-old Merchant Navy officer was to his beloved wife and precious 10-month-old son. It is [...]
Pick of the Pix
Shutterbugs out there, we would once again appreciateyour contributions to this picture corner. Please send your captioned photograph along with your name, and the location of the photograph, to: pictures@sundaytimes.wnl.lk We would also appreciate if you mention the camera or cellphone that was used.
NHSL: Meeting the challenge of raging COVID-19
No patient will be turned away, whether COVID or non-COVID, assures Deputy Director-General Dr. Kumara Wickremasinghe Premier institute now the largest COVID treatment hospital in country A busy day as usual – patients walking in and out of the premier National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) in Colombo and the staff going about their work, [...]
At least 3 more weeks of lockdown needed to save lives, urge expert
It is not a “perfect” lockdown/curfew but it is better than nothing, reiterated many experts, urging that it should be continued at least for another three weeks to save lives even at this late stage. They emphasise that the impact of lockdowns takes at least three weeks to show. This was clearly seen when a [...]
What the experts say about Tocilizumab, REGEN-COV, Ivermectin & Vitamin D therapy
Several medications as well as Vitamin D have come to the forefront for reported use in the battle against COVID-19. The Sunday Times asked several experts to give the right message based on scientific evidence on these medications and Vitamin D. Before dealing with the different medications and therapies, the President of the Sri Lanka [...]
Get vaccinated, request to “all” expectant mothers
Get vaccinated against COVID-19 whatever stage of pregnancy you are in, urged a top health official yesterday. “We are now vaccinating all those who are pregnant, whatever trimester they are in,” said the Health Ministry’s Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Chithramalee de Silva. The first three months of a pregnancy are known as [...]
Last minute cancellation of flight may have saved lives of Lankans
Kabul airport explosion 33 Sri Lankans still in Afghanistan; more join Foreign Ministry’s list of evacuees, while 21 working for UNHRC opt to stay back , says SL envoy to Afghanistan A group of Sri Lankans narrowly missed the explosions this week at the Afghan airport. “I bought my employees their tickets since the situation was [...]
Govt. bets on Indian visitors rescuing a tourist industry in tatters
The Government’s decision to lift the ban on arrival of Indian tourists has raised eyebrows. Concerned citizens question whether it was expedient to bring in Indian tourists at a time when the country is overwhelmed with increasing numbers of COVID patients ill with the Delta variant. On the flip side, others wonder whether Indians themselves [...]
Drug and essential food shortages send up prices
Rich and poor alike are finding it a struggle to buy essential food and medicines that have shot up in price, mainly due to shortages, while salaries and savings accounts have dwindled. Private sector employee and housewife Tharangani Perera was angry when interviewed this week. “The company I work for has suffered losses because of [...]
Battered by eye-popping prices of essentials, workers in no mood to sacrifice pay
Unions insist they will oppose pay cuts for state and private sector workers proposed by a senior government minister at a time prices of essentials have shot up to unprecedented levels. “Before suggesting pay cuts of state and private sector employee salaries, the Government should think about ways of bringing down the cost of living. [...]
Despite lockdown, activity unabated in biggest province
The lockdown triggered by a surge in coronavirus deaths and infections since April, has only largely applied to public transport, daily wage earners and the people, while thousands moved around in Colombo in vehicles. Movement restrictions have now been extended until September 6. Only essential services, the apparel industry, agricultural sector and pharmacies are allowed [...]