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Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that all Sri Lankan citizens over the age of 20 will be given the COVID-19 booster shot from Wednesday (24).

The Health Ministry said the necessary programs for this purpose will be prepared in the coming days.

According to the Health Ministry, all those over the age of 60 are given the booster shot against COVID-19, while most countries have decided to administer the booster dose for those only over the age of 65.

The Health Ministry said that 380,213 Sri Lankans received the booster shot against COVID-19 as of Wednesday (24), and 74% of the total Sri Lanka population have been vaccinated.

In addition, 1.1 million children were given the vaccine, said the Health Ministry adding that another 200,000 children are yet to be given the vaccine.

Furthermore, the Health Ministry said that it was decided for Weddings, Cinemas, Restaurants, Hotels, and events to take place and operate under strict health guidelines.

However, on Friday (26), at a meeting with the President, it would decide on what restrictions need to be put in place.

The Health Ministry warned that if the guidelines are not followed, strict decisions will have to be made.

Restaurant owners in Sri Lanka announced that the prices of a packet of rice and a cup of tea will be increased, given the rising cost of living.

Chairman of the All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association, Asela Sampath told a media briefing that the price of a packet of Fried Rice will be increased by Rs. 20/-.

The price of a packet of rice with three vegetables will be Rs. 200/-, packet of rice with fish will be Rs. 200/-, packet of rice with Chicken will be Rs. 250/-, he said.

The price of plain tea will be increased to Rs. 30, he added.

These price revisions are not hurt the government or rip-off the people, but because we cannot continue to engage in this trade under the present market system, said Asela Sampath on Monday (22).

He warned that by Wednesday, the hotel industry and the Food & Beverage industry will experience a serious blow.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed another 24 coronavirus-related deaths for November 22, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 14,182.

According to the figures released by the Govt. Information Department, the deaths reported today include 15 males and 09 female patients.

Four of the victims are between the ages of 30-59 years and another is aged below 30 years. The remaining 20 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has reported that another 542 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 19 coronavirus related deaths for November 20, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus pandemic to 14,127.

The deaths confirmed today includes 12 males and 07 females while eight of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years while the rest are aged 60 and above.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health has reported that another 508 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (21).

Ruling Party MP Mahinda Samarasinghe on Tuesday (23) told the Parliament that he will be stepping down as a member, to take up the vacant post of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

He said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested him to take up the position, and he accepted that request.

“I plan on resigning from the post of Member of Parliament in the coming days and leave for the United State of America on the 29th of November,” he said.

Samarasinghe said it is important for Sri Lanka be present at the United Nations Human Rights Council, at a time when the United States of America is to sit at the UNHRC as a member from 2022.

“It is important for us to have good relationships with the US. I am heading over there to ensure that it is achieved,” he told the house.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed another 22 coronavirus-related deaths for November 19, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 14,108.

According to the figures released by the Govt. Information Department, the deaths reported today include 13 males and 09 female patients.

Five of the victims are between the ages of 30-59 years and another is aged below 30 years. The remaining 16 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

With 31 more Covid related deaths confirmed by the Director General of Health Services yesterday (21) the death toll due to the Covid-19 contagion in Sri Lanka has climbed up to 14,158.

This notably the first time the daily number of Covid related deaths has increased over 30 since the pandemic's decline upon the third wave.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry says that another 509 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (November 19).

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 14 new coronavirus-related deaths for November 18, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus infection to 14,086.

The deaths confirmed today include 11 males and 03 females, according to the Department of Government Information.

Three of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years and the remaining 11 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Minister is currently being treated at a private hospital in Colombo, according to reports.

LNW

A new sub-lineage of Delta variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Sri Lanka, says Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, the Director of the Department of Immunology & Molecular Medicine at Sri Jayewardenepura.

In a tweet, Dr. Jeewandara said the new sub-lineage is named B.1.617.2.104.

“Sri Lanka now has another delta sub-lineage: In addition to B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage, another sub-lineage in Sri Lanka has been assigned as B.1.617.2.104.”

Accordingly, Delta variants in Sri Lanka have two unique sub lineages that originated in Sri Lanka, namely AY.28 and AY.104, Dr. Jeewandara added.

He further explained that there are three SARS-CoV-2 variants that originated in Sri Lanka. “The first one was B.411, which is a lineage of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

The agricultural policy is only for a green agriculture that focuses on the sole use of organic fertilizers, said president Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (22).

He said the government will only distribute organic fertilizer and provide subsidies only for organic farming.

The farmers should be properly educated, the president told a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the Maha season cultivation and the supply of organic fertilizer.

It is also vital to identify the chemical fertilizer mafia that exists when implementing this, he said, adding the commitment of the officials was essential to make the right policy victorious.

The President inquired from district-level officials about the cultivation of paddy and other crops and remarked the heavy rains have reduced the yield of many crops, including vegetables.

He said the delay in the distribution of organic manure affected cultivation activities.

According to him, the reason behind farmers organizing protests and delaying cultivation was that they have not been properly educated.

The President expressed his displeasure to the officials for not accurately educating the farmers.

Officials should work to find answers for the agitating farmers in accordance with the green agricultural policy and there is no obstacle for those who do not agree with the government policy to leave, he said.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 15 coronavirus related deaths for November 17, increasing the death toll in Sri Lanka due to the virus to 14,072.

The deaths confirmed today includes 10 males and 05 females while just one of the victims is between the age of 30-59 years.

The remaining 14 patients are in the age group of 60 years and above