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Circular on face masks, withdrawn

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The circular issued by the Western Provincial Council encouraging mask use due to increased respiratory illnesses, including influenza and COVID-19 variants, has been withdrawn.

According to the Western Province Chief Secretary’s office, withdrawal had taken place after a wrong interpretation of the letter had circulated on social media.

The Western Province Chief Secretary said the circular was issued only for the employees of the Western Province Ministries and departments housed at the Western Provincial Council building and not for all workers of the government sector.

In a letter to the Western Province Chief Secretary, Dr. Jasinghe stressed that any such advisories should be issued solely based on health ministry guidance to avoid public panic and ensure consistency in health messaging.

He had explained that following the end of the COVID-19 global pandemic in mid-2023, the virus has been categorized under standard respiratory disease surveillance, alongside influenza. While respiratory illnesses may rise during the rainy season, existing public health strategies are sufficient, and COVID-19 no longer constitutes a special risk that warrants exceptional precautions.

Dr. Jasinghe further cautioned that issuing broad face mask mandates without Health Ministry consultation could lead to unnecessary public anxiety and disrupt normal operations. However, he noted that individuals are free to wear masks voluntarily or based on medical advice for personal protection.

Additionally, the Ministry does not support restricting individuals with mild symptoms like colds or coughs from attending work. Instead, it encourages those with symptoms to practice good hygiene and wear masks to protect others.

The Sinhala media release of the clarification by issued by the Ministry of Health in this regard, is as follows :

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Former Eastern Provincial Council member arrested

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Ampara District Organizer of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal party and former member of the Eastern Provincial Council K. Pushpakumar alias Iniya Bharathi has been arrested.

He was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University Prof. Subramaniyam Ravindranath.

Sivanathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and former State Minister, was arrested by the Colombo Criminal Investigation Department at his office in Batticaloa on April 8, over this incident.

He was later detained for 3 months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Iniya Bharathi, also known as Kumaraswamy Pushpakumar, was arrested based on information revealed during the interrogation of Pillayan.

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e-Revenue Licence system down due to technical glitch, ICTA says

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The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said the electronic Revenue Licence system (eRL 2.0) is currently unavailable due to a critical technical infrastructure issue.

According to the ICTA, the disruption began on July 3, 2025, and has made vehicle revenue licence issuing services inaccessible.

The unavailability is expected to continue until July 9, 2025.

The ICTA expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the public and assured that technical teams are working urgently to resolve the issue.

The agency also said that further updates will be shared as work progresses, with an official notice to be issued once services are restored.

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Three injured in Kosgama shooting, including 12-year-old girl

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Three people, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured in a shooting incident at Suduwella, Kosgama, early this morning (6), police said.

They said the victims were travelling in a three-wheeler when two individuals on a motorcycle opened fire using a pistol-type weapon.

The injured include a 30-year-old woman and her 12-year-old daughter, both residents of Avissawella, as well as a 44-year-old man.

All three have been admitted to Avissawella Hospital for treatment.

Police said the motive for the attack and the identities of the suspects have not yet been established.

Kosgama Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.

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