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A total of 237 suspected cases of meningitis have been reported from several parts of Sri Lanka, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health.

The surge in cases has also prompted health authorities to issue preventive guidelines to the general public.

Meanwhile, health authorities have advised the public to consume clean drinking water, preferably boiled and cooled, to help curb the spread of the disease.

Speaking on the development, Community Health Specialist Dr. Thushani Dabrera said that the majority of cases reported so far are believed to be viral meningitis infections.

According to Dr. Dabrera, the first cases were detected on April 15 in Deniyaya, Matara. Since then, additional cases have been reported from Rikillagaskada, Kandy, Badulla, Welimada and Diyatalawa.

Health officials noted that schoolchildren account for most of the reported cases. As of yesterday (May 31), only 59 patients remained hospitalized, while the rest had recovered and been discharged.

The primary symptoms associated with the illness include fever, headache, and vomiting. Dr. Dabrera explained that viral meningitis typically resolves within a few days in most patients.

Authorities have established special committees to investigate the outbreak and oversee control measures. The Ministries of Health and Education have also issued special guidelines, citing contaminated drinking water sources as a possible factor in the spread of the disease.

The general public has been advised to ensure that children do not share food with one another and to use clean, boiled, and cooled water at all times as a precautionary measure.

A total of 219 people have been injured in clashes between football fans and police across France after Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the Champions League final against Arsenal.

Eight were in a serious condition, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said. Thousands of officers were deployed to curb unrest that disrupted bus, train and rail services in the capital, Paris. Fifty-seven of them were injured.

Nuñez said 780 people had been arrested over the violence - with more than 450 in custody. A person was found dead after an accident on Paris's ring road, which rioters tried to block overnight.

Some 6,000 police have been mobilised for Sunday's victory parade at the site of the Eiffel Tower.

The interior minister said the security forces would be "firm" in their response.

"We are a great country for maintaining public order. We allow freedom of assembly, but not excesses," he said.

There was similar violence when PSG won the same trophy last year, with celebrations turning deadly.

Thousands of officers had been deployed this time to curb unrest that disrupted bus, train and rail services in Paris.

The vast Champs-Élysées was swarmed by fans shortly after the local team won in a penalty shootout.

Footage shows flares being set off, electric bikes burning on roads and revellers smashing the glass of at least one shopfront. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds in the city centre.

Paris police made 480 arrests, with 277 taken into custody, including 82 minors.

The figures were provisional, the Paris prosecutor's office said. It added that offences ranged from attacks on officers to attacks on property, theft, as well as illegal possession of weapons.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the 24-year-old near Porte Maillot in the Paris ring road remain unclear. Some witnesses said he was riding a motorcycle when he crashed into concrete blocks.

A teenager was also in critical condition following a brawl in another area of Paris. It is not clear if they were involved in the football-related rioting.

"The vast majority go out to celebrate and it goes very well," the French interior minister said on Sunday.

“But other individuals, who are not PSG supporters, who don't even watch the match, come to cause trouble and disturbances. We are here to prevent them from doing so. Our response is very firm.”

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen wrote on X: “Only in France does a football club's victory spark riots.”

"Only in France does everyone feel compelled to lock themselves in their homes on the evening of a victory to avoid being confronted with violence," she said.

Players are due to take part in the victory parade later on Sunday. It includes touring the Champ-de-Mars next to the Eiffel Tower and a reception held by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Source: BBC

– Agencies

Sri Lanka’s largest 24-hour ‘Vesak Dansala’, organized by the Derana Media Network, successfully concluded at 7.00 p.m. today (31) after serving tens of thousands of devotees and visitors.

The ‘Vesak Dansala’ commenced at 7.00 p.m. yesterday (30) at Independence Square in Colombo 07. It was held for the third consecutive year under the patronage of Derana founder Dilith Jayaweera.

Organized by the Derana Media Network in collaboration with the Chefs Guild of Lanka (CGL) and the Colombo Municipal Council, the ‘Dansala’ operated continuously for 24 hours. Many guests, including artists and celebrities, also attended the event.

In addition to the rice ‘Dansala’, tea and ice cream ‘Dansal’ were also held alongside the main event.

More than 40,000 people attended the Dansala over the two-day period, receiving meals as part of the Vesak celebrations.

An individual has been arrested in Wellawatta for allegedly being in possession of and selling liquor illegally.

Police said the arrest was made down Daya Road during a raid carried out by officers of the Colombo South Division Crimes Investigation Unit.

During the operation, officers seized a stock of liquor and beer, including 67 bottles of 750ml liquor, 66 bottles of 375ml, 217 bottles of 180ml and 327 cans of 500ml beer.

The suspect, a 36-year-old resident of Wellawatta, was taken into custody at the location.

The suspect and the seized stock have been handed over to Wellawatta Police.

Further investigations are underway.

High-level discussions have been held to expand trade and tourism ties between Sri Lanka and Australia.

Discussions were held between Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Hearth, who is currently visiting New Zealand and Australia and several members of the Australian Parliament from Victoria this afternoon.

Minister Herath in a post on X (formally Twitter), noted that during the meeting both factions explored means of enhancing Parliamentary cooperation, strengthening government-to-government partnerships, supporting the Sri Lankan diaspora and expanding trade and tourism ties.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also appreciated the MPs for their continued support to the Sri Lankan community in Australia.