COVID-19 Update 

•  NUMBER OF CASES 

• • 2,370 cases reported on the 29th

• 481 Covid-19 cases reported in Colombo

• DEATH TOLL

• Sri Lankan death toll rises to 4,195
•  66 deaths reported on the 29th

• The World Health Organization congratulates Sri Lanka on it’s mark of vaccinating 500,000 citizens against covid-19, yesterday.

• Coronavirus cases increase in Sri Lanka. 
• The government has stated that a vaccination card will be compulsory for all individuals, for inter-province travel, from the 01st of August. 
• Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries has volunteered to be in self quarantine. 
• The government hopes to have all citizens aged 30 and above vaccinated against covid-19 by the 15th of August. 
• The next stage in the government’s plan against covid, is to have all individuals aged 12-30 vaccinated with priority given to school students aged 12-18, with the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. 
• 725,000 doses of astrazn vaccines will be delivered in Sri lanka tmr by 5pm, obtained from Japan. 
• Flights from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan to the Emirates, have been held on suspension. This ban has been extended till the 7th of August, by the Emirates. 

• T20 VICTORY 

Sri Lanka beat India by 7 wickets in the T20 series, with 82 runs, which is the first win for Sri Lanka since the T20 series in 2019.  

• SRI LANKAN CRICKETERS FOUND GUILTY 

Cricketers Danushka Gunathileke, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella are suspended from taking part in any and all forms of cricket for over a year. The cricketers were found guilty by the SLC, and have also been fined USD 25,000. 

• DRUG ADDICT DIES AFTER SPA TRIP

A 36 year old man fell ill while at the spa in Thalawathugoda, and was rushed to the hospital where he passed away, today. Police investigation identified that he had consumed narcotics which could’ve led to this death. 

• CHILD PORNOGRAPHY PICTURES AND VIDEOS 

17,629 pornographic pictures and videos of children have been uploaded onto the internet. The pictures and videos have been circulating online since the 17th of June. Senior DIG Ajith Rohana stated that the suspects have been identified and will soon be arrested. Mr Ajith Rohana also stated that more than 18,000 cases have been recorded. 

• DRUG MONEY LAUNDERER ARRESTED 

The financial unit at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka identified and provided data regarding five bank accounts under a 41 year old woman, who had collected over 6 billion in drug money. The Criminal Investigations Department arrested the woman, as she was involved in drug trafficking. She had been involved in drug trafficking in Dehiwala for the past four years. After her arrest, information regarding the drug dealers and drug addicts were obtained with the data collected from her bank histories. The police will soon arrest the other individuals involved in the drug trafficking. 

• CORRELATION FOUND BETWEEN CHIEF SUSPECT INVOLVED IN BOTH CHILD TRAFFICKING AND DRUG TRAFFICKING. 

The chief suspect involved in the child trafficking case of a 15 year old girl in Mount Lavinia, has now been found linked to the drug trafficking case as well. 

The Police Woman and Children Bureau, Criminal Investigations Department along with the Police Narcotics Bureau are investigating this major case together. 

The teenager was raped on several occasions after being sold to multiple individuals. Pictures of her were taken after she had been forced to undress, which were sold on the internet. Statements form 3 individuals who had subscribed to receive the pictures, have been recorded, and the Police Spokesman and Senior DIG Ajith Rohana has said that they plan to arrest over 40 suspects who were involved in this case. 

• BE VIGILANT, CAREFUL AND RESPONSIBLE WITH CONTENT SHARED OVER SOCIAL MEDIA

The Police state the importance of being vigilant on the internet. They urge all individuals to be extremely careful and responsible when sharing intimate content, after a woman was demanded a ransom payment of 1.4 million.