News

Risk of JN.1 Covid-19 epidemic, minimal – MoH

Published

5 months ago

December 26, 2023

editor

The Health Ministry had stated yesterday (Dec. 25) that the risk of an epidemic in Sri Lanka due to the new COVID-19 sub variant – JN.1, is minimal.

A statement by the MoH notes that the Medical Research Institute has been instructed to carry out genetic tests to assess the risk of the JN.1 sub variant spreading and accordingly the necessary research is being carried out.

“While current evidence suggests the additional public health risk posed by JN.1 is low, we must continue to track the evolution of these viruses to tailor our response,” the Ministry said.

In recent weeks, the JN.1 Covid-19 sub variant has been reported from several countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that there is a tendency for this sub variant and other respiratory diseases including influenza to affect those regions, with the onset of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

The MoH states that tests conducted in Sri Lanka over the last few months have shown COVID-19 cases are minimal.

Experts say that the chances of these respiratory diseases spreading can be greatly reduced by wearing masks in crowded places, washing hands frequently, maintaining distance, and maintaining cough and sneeze etiquette.

The MoH has further advised that people over the age of 60, people with chronic diseases, and pregnant women are at increased risk of complications if they suffer from respiratory diseases, so those people should be especially careful.

News

Veteran journalist A.D. Ranjith Kumara no more

Published

21 hours ago

May 10, 2024

editor

Veteran journalist, artist and author A.D. Ranjith Kumara passed away today (May 10).

He passed away at the age of 77.

His remains will be laid at the Mahinda funeral parlour in Mt. Lavinia from 8.00am tomorrow (May 11) before being handed over to the Kotelawala Medical Faculty as per his final wishes.

News

CID tells Maithripala’s statements contradict each other

Published

21 hours ago

May 10, 2024

editor

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) conducting investigations into the controversial revelation made by former President Maithripala Sirisena regarding the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, informed court that his two statements given to the CID and evidence gathered from CCTV footage contradict each other.

Counsel Rajitha Lakmal, appearing for Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardena, moved the court to issue an order for the former President’s arrest if he has provided false statements by concealing the truth. Considering the facts, Maligakanda Magistrate Lochani Abeywickrema directed the CID to take necessary action regarding former President Sirisena if he has committed something with criminal liability. The progress of the investigation was ordered to be reported to the court on July 26.

The CID had filed a facts report before Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court regarding the statement the former President had made recently. Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles had instructed the Inspector General of Police to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the statement made by the former President in Kandy that he knew the people involved in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on 21 April 2019.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Supreme Court moves another petition by Diana Gamage

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2024

nipuni

The Supreme Court has ordered that the petition filed by former State Minister Diana Gamage challenging a decision taken by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to cancel her party membership, be called on May 28.

This petition was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court bench consisting of Justices Gamini Amarasekara, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Samayawardhena today (10).

At the time, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha who appeared for the petitioner Diana Gamage, requested for a date to inform the court of the decision to be taken regarding this petition.

Accordingly, the judge bench ordered that the relevant petition be called on May 28 and that the decision regarding the maintaining of this petition be announced on the relevant date.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, General Secretary of the SJB Ranjith Madduma Bandara and several others have been named as respondents in this petition.

The SJB had earlier decided to expel Diana Gamage from the party citing that she had failed to comply with the unanimous decision taken by the party to vote against the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, by voting in favour. The SJB had also highlighted that this was a serious violation of party discipline, and that the Opposition Leader and the SJB’s leader Sajith Premadasa decided to suspend her party membership for the reputation or well-being and prosperity of the party.(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk) has not been edited by SLM staff)