Sri Lanka has reported a notable increase in cases of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in recent days.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Deepal Perera, a consultant pediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), noted that HFMD cases have risen among schoolchildren. He explained that viral infections, especially HFMD, tend to spread more during the colder season, particularly between November and December.

Dr. Perera advised parents to keep children with symptoms—such as small red or white blisters on their hands, feet, or in their mouths, a red rash with brown scales, or a rash on the outer arms—at home for 3-4 days to prevent further spread.

Health authorities have also observed that in some cases, tests for influenza and dengue may yield negative results. However, as these are viral infections, it is unclear if they are related, and COVID-19 should also be considered in the diagnosis.

Meanwhile, there has been a noted increase in dengue cases and other illnesses linked to the influenza B virus.

The Election Commission has advised the public to refrain from photographing or filming any polling-related activities and uploading such images or videos on social media.

The Election Commission announced that the distribution of ballot boxes and essential stationery for the 2024 General Elections commenced today.

The presence of a large number of candidates has cost the election authorities dearly in terms of additional expenses for extra counting centres, documentation work, and ballot paper printing, an official said yesterday.

The Kahathuduwa Police launched an investigation following a complaint filed by a photographer from the Presidential Media Division (PMD), alleging that he was receiving threatening phone calls from the former Director General of the PMD.

The United States embassy in Sri Lanka today rescinded the travel restrictions for Arugam Bay on October 23.

There is a possibility of thundershowers exceeding 100 mm tomorrow after 2 p.m, Deputy Director of the Meteorology Department, Meril Mendis said. He noted that the parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held tomorrow and advised the people to go to the polling stations before the rains.

The Election Commission today announced the vote counting schedule for the general elections to be held on 14th of November.

All schools are to be handed over to the respective Grama Niladhari officers today (12) after classes end, in preparation for the parliamentary elections scheduled for Thursday (November 14), the Education Ministry said.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated an investigation into the documentary telecast by Britain’s Channel 4 TV on Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bomb attacks in 2019.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) revealed that proposals to reduce electricity tariffs will be submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) by next week.

The formation of a low-pressure area over the south-west Bay of Bengal today may lead to thundershowers in most parts of the island from November 13, the Meteorology Department said.

Former MP Rohitha Abeygunawardhane became emotional during an election rally in Kalutara where he said, with tears in his eyes, that he had been with the people over the years. Abeygunawardhane said he will protect the people even as an Opposition MP in Parliament.

The National People's Power (NPP) is confident of winning a majority seats in Thursday's Parliamentary Election but will look at forming a national unity government with Parliamentarians representing the Tamil and Muslim communities, in order to achieve national unity, Minister Vijitha Herath told Daily Mirror last evening.

Former TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran alleged that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had brought several thousands of people in buses last evening all the way to Jaffna to participate in the NPP's political rally attended by the President.

Ahead of the Parliamentary elections, the Election Commission has launched an online system enabling voters to access their polling cards. Accordingly, the polling cards can be viewed via ‘On-line Registration’.

Price of an egg will rise to Rs 1000 if Sri Lanka fails to stabilize the economy, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday. Mr. Wickremesinghe made this remark during his speech at an election rally in Hatton which he spoke both in lighter vein and with seriousness. However, he quickly turned serious when elaborating on the economy.

The Elections Commission announced that all campaign activities related to the parliamentary elections will conclude at midnight today. A silent period will begin then, prohibiting any campaign activities until election day.

On October 16, 2024, the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau when testifying at the Public Inquiry into the Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral process and Democratic Institutions, publicly reaffirmed Canada's commitment to protecting Tamil Canadians from Sri Lanka's foreign interference in Canada.

With heavy inter-monsoonal rain beating the country, the election authorities have decided to work out extra plans along with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to conduct polling of the General Election next Wednesday without any impact from a possible disaster situation, an official said.

Ahead of the parliamentary election on November 14, the Election Commission has reiterated that all State and Private sector banks and financial institutions must grant leave to employees for voting without affecting their pay. This directive, based on Section 122 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, comes following complaints that some institutions have not adhered to this rule. The Commission calls on heads of these institutions to ensure that staff receive the necessary leave to cast their vote at their assigned polling stations.