The Ratana Sutta will be chanted for one week starting from Wednesday (18) at Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy to seek blessings for the country amidst the threat of the Coronavirus spread.

Leaders and officials from the eight South Asian nations held a video conference Sunday calling for closer cooperation to combat the spread of the coronavirus in the region, which is home to a fifth of the world’s population.

Another 7 returnees from Italy have been diagnosed positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of cases in the country to 18, stated the Director-General of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

Eleventh / 11th person who infected with Coronavirus / COVID-19 has found in Sri Lanka, stated the Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva says more than 1,700 persons who arrived in the island from overseas are being quarantined at 4 centres maintained by the Sri Lanka Army.

The term of Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara who was under interdiction over the failure to take steps to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings ended yesterday, paving the way for the the appointment of a new Inspector General.

Monday 16th March has been declared a Public, Bank & Mercantile holiday to prevent outbreak of Coronavirus says Minister of Public Administration Janaka Bandara Tennakoon.

09th and 10th confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka.

Dehiwala National Zoo, Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, Pinnawala Zoo & Ridiyagama Safari Park under the Department of National Zoological Gardens will be closed for 02 weeks from tomorrow.

Another returnee from Italy diagnosed as Coronavirus positive at Kandakadu quarantine centre & admitted to Polonnaruwa Hospital.

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said that approval will not be given for mass gatherings and in the event of an urgent requirement it is mandatory to obtain police approval and a permit.

Two more coronavirus patients have been identified in Sri Lanka, increasing the total number of confirmed cases to seven, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

All movie theatres (film halls) in the country will be closed until further notice and no decision has been taken on Dramas & Musical shows.

Four Polish nationals who arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning to return to Poland have been directed to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases after indicating symptoms of the coronavirus / COVID-19.

The Sri Lanka Rupee depreciated against the dollar to its lowest this year yesterday due to the impact of the coronavirus.

Doctors yesterday (13), lamented that the resources available in Government hospitals assigned to carry out surveillance and treat patients with  COVID-19 were inadequate in the face of a sudden influx of patients.