20th of July 2021

COVID-19 Update 

•  NUMBER OF CASES 

• 1,487 cases reported on the 19th 

• 256 Covid-19 cases reported in Colombo

• Channa Jayasumana stated that Sri Lanka has received another ved 70,200 doses of the pfizer-biontech vaccines on 19th morning. This will be used to vaccinate students preparing to travel abroad to pursue their higher education. The vaccines will be administered in the Mannar district.
• A small portion of the Pfizer vaccination made available only for individuals planning to travel abroad 
• Vaccination for citizens ages 18 and above will be made available in the near future. 

• Colombo Municipal Council will organize a system to distribute the 2nd dose of the Astrazeneca vaccination to those who received the first dosage at the CMG centers. 
• Everyone eligible will receive an SMS and those that do not receive this text message will be placed in a system. 
• It was revealed at the press conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau that 50% of Covid-19 patients at the National Hospital are in need of oxygen. Specialist physician Dr Upul Dissanayake stated that nearly 200 CoronaVirus patients are receiving treatment in National Hospital. Dr Upul also said there are only two ways to reduce the spread of covid which is; 

1.  Get vaccinated
2. Wear your masks at all times. 

• Over 300 vaccinated policemen found infected with Covid-19 virus. The Health Ministry has informed the police that the vaccinations can help reduce the severity of the symptoms of coronavirus, but the vaccinations cannot prevent individuals from contracting the virus. The police officers are currently being treated at respective centres. 

16 YEAR OLD WAS FOUND DEAD AT THE BADIUDEEN RESIDENCE 

A 16 year old girl was raped and found dead with severe burn injuries at Minister Rishan Badiudeen’s residence. Kandurata Janatha Peramuna organized a protest, to compel the authorities to hold a formal investigation, in front of the Clock Tower in Hatton 

PRESIDENT REVEALS HIS DESIRE TO RUN FOR 8 YEARS 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksha expresses his willingness to contest for a 2nd term in the Political Office. The president had further demonstrated his plan where he has 5 more years to implement his policies in addition to the next 3 years. 

THREE OF THE WORLD’S POST PRECIOUS AND PRICELESS GEMSTONES TRANSPORTED 

The National Gem and Jewelry Authority building is under the risk of collapsing, so 3 of the World’s most invaluable gemstones have been placed under high security in a vault in the Bank of Ceylon Headquarters. 

DRUNK DRIVER MURDERS CHILD 

A pick up truck swerved off the road crashing into a house in the Mangalapuram area, killing a 5 year old girl, in Wanathawilluwa. The truck driver had run over the child, killing her on the spot. He was travelling at high speed from Eluwankulama to Puttalam under the influence of alcohol, and also ran over two other individuals; a 20 year old man and a 38 year old woman. They were found severely injured and are now being treated in the Colombo National Hospital. 

BAIL REJECTED FOR THE CHILD SEX TRAFFICIKING SUSPECTS 

The lawyers of 3 men criminally charged for sex trafficking a 15 year old girl demanded they be released on bail. Officials of the Women and Children’s Bureau objected to the request as it would disrupt the police investigations that are being carried out. Releasing the 3 suspects on bail would lead to major public disturbance, stated the Police, so the men have been remanded till the 29th of July. A three-wheeler driver was arrested on suspicion of transporting the 15 year old girl, and is facing criminal charges in the Colombo Magistrate Court. 

FOUR MEN ARESSTED FOR THE RAPE OF A UNDERAGED GIRL 

A monk at the Temple in Rajagiriya and three other men were arrested for raping a 13 year old girl. The victim is from the Gampaha district.   

WORLD DEEP SEA DIVE RECORD BROKEN IN SRI LANKA 

Commandr Nishntha Balasooriya and WWNP Sandaruwan broke the International deep sea dive record on the 17th July. With a depth of 100 meters into the sea near Elephant Island in Trincomalee, the navy divers set out to dive with their essential diving equipment. Commander Nishantha Balasooriya and WWNP Sandaruwan practised and tested their diving skills prior to this moment. They were both accompanied to sea by a support party who only travelled with them to the depth of 40 meters.  

WOMAN KILLED AFTER FALLING OFF THE KDU BUILDING 

A 31 year old woman fell to her death from the 6th floor of the KDU building in Rathmalana. She was pronounced dead at 10.15 am yesterday, and her body was placed at the mortuary in Colombo South Teaching Hospital in Kalubowila. The police department of Mount Lavinia are conducting further investigations into this case at KDU.  

SRI LANKA INVENTS THE WORLD’S FIRST ECO-FRIENDLY SMART FACE MASK. 

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksha launched the World’s first eco-friendly smart face-mask. The Breathtech-S3 trademark at the National Sports Council premises under the sustainable production process, with the Hirdaramani group, Sri Lankan Institute of Nanotechnology and CRIQ Technologies contributing to the manufacturing process of the smart face masks. The products will be manufactured using a combination of sustainable sourced natural and biodegradable materials, also containing an advanced Graphene based sensor that takes measure of and records, the breathing rate and the mask fit. This product facility will be made accessible via an online mobile app.  

Please call the National Child line 1929 if you know any victims suffering from child abuse and child sexual violence.