An eight-month-old baby in Bengaluru is suspected to have tested positive for Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), marking the first suspected case in India.

The infant, admitted to Baptist Hospital, has no travel history, raising concerns about local transmission.

Health officials have confidence in the findings from the private hospital that conducted the tests, although they have not yet confirmed the specific strain of the virus. Experts stress that HMPV is a common respiratory virus and there is no immediate cause for alarm.

The case was reported on January 6, 2025, at Baptist Hospital in Bengaluru. Health department officials acknowledged that while they did not conduct the laboratory tests themselves, they trust the procedures of the private facility. Dr. Anup R Varrier noted that HMPV is not a new virus in India, having been detected previously, but emphasized the need for further investigation into whether this strain is a variant associated with recent outbreaks in China. Symptoms typically include cold-like manifestations such as cough and fever, particularly concerning for young children and those with compromised immune systems.

The Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith specifically urged the government to introduce a new Constitution which brings in national unity.

The expenses for the tea party hosted during the inauguration of the 10th Parliament was higher as the cost of the goods and services had gone up in the market, Parliament said while clarifying reports on expenses for the tea party hosted during the inauguration.

The Sri Lanka Navy has reported significant achievements in its 2024 operations, seizing over 622kg of heroin, valued at Rs. 15.55 billion and more than 1,211kg of Crystal Methamphetamine (ICE), worth Rs. 11.5 billion.

The government is aiming to increase the quality in the tourism sector just as quantity in order to attract high-end tourists to the country, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath said.

Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne participated in the launch of the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme at the Agriculture Ministry premises in Battaramulla on Wednesday.

Exams Chief Amith Jayasundara yesterday said the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination paper marking meeting had been scheduled for tomorrow. The marking process is expected to conclude within 40 days, with the aim of completing it by the first week of February.

The Constitutional Council (CC) has approved the appointments of High Court Judges K.M. Sarath Dissanayake and Pradeep Hettiarachchi to the Court of Appeal. The nominations were submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for the CC's approval. Judges Dissanayake and Hettiarachchi, the two most senior serving High Court judges, are set to take their oaths as Court of Appeal Judges next week.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Mujeebur Rahuman has appealed to President Anura Dissanayake to reconsider the government’s decision to deport 103 Rohingya refugees, including over 40 children, who were rescued off the Mullaitivu coast on December 19.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva has criticized the government for its contradictory stance on withholding tax (WHT) policies. In a tweet, de Silva questioned why the National People’s Power (NPP) policy document, endorsed by President Anura Dissanayake, did not mention plans to increase WHT on interest.

It is a known secret in the state bureaucracy circles that the transfer process of government employees is highly politicised. It is said that those who encounter problems in receiving transfer postings near their hometowns or resist transfers outside the home turf or their preferred locations often use political influences ‘at whatever cost.’