Breaking News 148

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Academic activities for all school grades in the Western Province resumed on Monday morning (Mar. 29).

“Academic activities for all grades in the Western Province will resume today, with strict adherence to COVID-19 regulations; thereby, he emphasized that parents need not worry about the safety of the children,” Professor G.L. Peiris, the Minister of Education assured.

According to the Education Ministry, each class will be conducted in batches so as to ensure social distances are maintained; accordingly, each batch will consist of 15 students.

Schools in the Western Province only re-opened for Grades 05, 11, and 13 on the 15th of March 2021.

“A decision was initially reached to re-open schools for students of all grades on the 19th of April, following the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. However, it was later revised following the approval granted by the Director-General of Health Services to resume studies for all grades in the Western Province,” Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris elaborated.

Furthermore, pre-schools will also resume operations on Monday (Mar. 29).

Also commenting on re-opening schools for all grades, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control emphasized the importance of resuming academic activities following a prolonged break of around one year, since the education of students should continue uninterrupted.

A circular containing the relevant health guidelines jointly prepared by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health was already issued, State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle further noted.

COLOMBO (News 1st): One person was reported dead in the fire that erupted inside a restaurant located down Sangaraja Mawatha in Panchikawatte, Colombo, on Wednesday morning (Mar. 24), Sri Lanka Police said.

Five fire engines were dispatched to douse the fire, the Fire Service Department of Colombo told News 1st on Wednesday morning (Mar. 24).

According to Sri Lanka Police, the fire had erupted at around 6:10 am today (24) and efforts are underway to contain the fire.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thero, the Mahanayake of the Sri Lanka Amarapura Maha Nikaya has passed away on Monday morning (Mar. 22) while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

The late Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Maha Nayaka Kotugoda Dhammawasa thero was 88 years of age at the time of his demise.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Locomotive Engine Operators and affiliated trade unions have launched a 24-hour token strike, railway trade unions said.

Several daily office trains will not operate on Thursday morning (Mar. 18); only a limited number of trains will operate, the Railway Control Room announced.

The token strike was launched over several demands, including unjust disciplinary action against railway workers, Indika Dodangoda, the Secretary of the Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union (LEOU) told News 1st on Thursday morning (Mar. 18).

A discussion is scheduled between the Minister of Transport and the Railway Trade Unions for today (18).

Speaking to News 1st on Thursday morning (Mar. 18), Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge said the meeting will be held at his ministry today adding he hopes to reach a consensus with the Trade Unions.

COLOMBO (News 1st): A pistol and ammunition were recovered from the vehicle of Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday (Mar. 16), Sri Lanka Police said on Wednesday (Mar. 17). 

“A pistol manufactured overseas and ammunition were discovered inside Azath Salley’s vehicle during an inspection conducted by officers of the CID following his arrest,” Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana told News 1st.

Further investigations are being conducted in this regard, he noted.

According to the Deputy Police Chief, Azath Salley will be detained at the Criminal Investigations Department under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Thereby, Azath Salley will be further interrogated.

Attorney General Dappula De Livera on Tuesday (Mar. 16) advised the DIG of the CID that Azath Salley had committed offenses under the Penal Code, Prevention of Terrorism Act, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with regard to a statement made on the 10th of March.

This was confirmed to News 1st by State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne who serves as the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Health has taken measures to conduct a study on the side-effects of COVID-19 vaccines. 

A team at the Epidemiology Unit is conducting a study in this regard, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control told News 1st on Tuesday (Mar. 16).

Whilst referring to the decision by several countries to temporarily halt the use of AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, which is also used in Sri Lanka, the State Minister said NO such decision has been made to suspend the use of the COVISHIELD vaccine in the country, as of present.

Germany, France, Italy, and Spain have joined smaller nations in halting vaccinations with Oxford-AstraZeneca jab as a precaution while checks are made, foreign media reported.

“Suspicions pertaining to the death of certain individuals who received the AstraZeneca Vaccine due to blood clots in certain other countries are yet to be affirmed,” Dr. Fernandopulle noted.

Thereby, she emphasized that in Sri Lanka, the side effects of all those who receive the COVID-19 jab are being recorded and studied.

Referring to the two deaths reported in Gampaha, about 02-03 days after being vaccinated against COVID-19, the State Minister pointed out that both deaths were caused due to heart conditions and therefore, a connection between the vaccine and the cause of death cannot be confirmed.

“By choosing not to receive the jab, one could die of contracting COVID-19,” State Minister Dr. Fernandopulle further pointed out.