Sri Lanka monitors virus outbreak in China

In the wake of reports on a virus spreading in China, the Ministry of Health has announced that it is closely monitoring the situation.

Stringent measures in the offing for health sector donations

Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced that future donations to the health sector must align with the government’s national development plan.

Backlog of 130,000 driving license cards to be cleared by January

Steps will be taken to print and issue the 130,000 accumulated driving license cards, delayed due to previous printing backlogs, within January.

Probe launched after girl hospitalised drinking chemical mistakenly served as soft drink

Police and the Colombo Municipal Council’s Medical Officer have launched an investigation after a 19-year-old girl was hospitalised after ingesting a cleaning chemical served in a soft drink bottle at a restaurant in People’s Park, Pettah.

Court extends freeze on Keheliya’s family accounts holding Rs. 93 Mn

The Colombo High Court today further extended its order to freeze for three months 16 fixed deposit accounts and three insurance policies belonging to the family members of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Two arrested at BIA for smuggling cigarettes worth Rs. 50.9 million

Two suspects were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning by Police Narcotics Bureau personnel while smuggling in foreign cigarettes worth Rs. 50.9 million.

Wimal Weerawansa arrives at FCID

Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to provide a statement regarding remarks he had made during a television programme on March 3, 2022.

Thalatha appointed UNP General Secretary

Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremeisinghe has appointed Thalatha Athukorala as the new party General Secretary, party sources said.

Former PS member arrested following complaint by MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi

A former Millaniya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) member, Ravindra Nawamuni, has been arrested for sharing a post on social media that insulted National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi.

Yoshitha arrives at CID

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this morning to record a statement.

China faces Covid-like scare again

China is experiencing a rise in respiratory illnesses, including human metapneumovirus (HMPV), according to reports. Reports and social media posts suggest the virus is spreading rapidly, with some claiming hospitals and crematories are overwhelmed. Videos online show crowded hospitals, with social media users highlighting the presence of multiple viruses, including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19.

’Jean Aunty’, husband hospitalised after assault

Social media activist ’Jean Aunty’ and her husband were attacked by two men last morning and are currently receiving treatment at the Ragama Teaching Hospital, confirmed hospital sources.

South Korea authorities in standoff in bid to arrest President Yoon

Authorities entered impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk’s compound on Friday to execute an unprecedented arrest warrant, evading a crowd of protesters outside, but were confronted with presidential security forces inside

Govt.’s new tax policy burdensome to people, harmful to economy

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that the tax policy regime of the new government would burden people further and cause harm to the economy.

Govt. considers deporting Rohingya refugees at this point: Minister

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala told the Daily Mirror that the government is considering on deporting Rohingya refugees who recently arrived in Mullaitivu after following the legal process and discussions.

No threat from Indian Air Force training drone found in Trinco

An investigation into the recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Sri Lankan waters, believed to be a high-speed target drone belonging to the Indian Air Force, has revealed that the drone was not operated within Sri Lankan airspace, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka’s university system crippled with dearth of teachers

Sri Lanka’s university system still remains crippled with a dearth of teachers, and the authorities concerned are struggling hard to find qualified persons to some of the positions fallen vacant at the moment, a minister said yesterday.

Magistrate condemns inhumane treatment of remanded suspects: Orders end to shackling in Open Court

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today advised prison officials not to treat remanded suspects like animals, stressing that they should not be chained together while being brought to open court.

Woman attacked by wasps runs screaming to hospital

A woman attacked by wasps ran screaming to the Udagama Rural Hospital in Atabage, Gampola.

J. R. P. Suriyapperuma passes away

Former Member of Parliament J. R. P. Suriyapperuma passed away at the age of 96, hospital sources said.

PM calls for probe into declining school attendance among A/L students

Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has urged a comprehensive investigation into the increasing trend of absenteeism among students pursuing Advanced Level education.

Susanthika migrates to Australia

Sri Lanka’s star athlete and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Silver Medallist, Susanthika Jayasinghe, has decided to settle in Melbourne, Australia, with her two children.

Two arrested for blackmailing women with secretly recorded videos

The Computer Crimes Investigation Branch of the CID in the North Central Province arrested two individuals involved in secretly videographing several women and attempting to demand sex bribes or threatening to share the videos online.

No one is foolish enough to kill Mahinda Rajapaksa: SF

Responding to rumors of possible life threats to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka stated that no one is foolish enough to kill him using drones.

SLFP to contest upcoming elections under ‘Chair’ symbol: Duminda Dissanayake

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will contest the upcoming elections, including the Local Government and Provincial Council elections, under the ‘Chair’ symbol, SLFP general secretary Duminda Dissanayake said today.

Ranil meets Nepali Prime Minister

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli on Thursday at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar.

Sanga, Mahela back ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative

Sri Lanka’s cricket legends Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara have thrown their weight behind the government’s newly launched ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.

No cut on allowance paid to kidney patients: Government

Refuting reports of moves to stop the allowance paid to kidney patients, the government said today that the allowance paid to kidney patients will be increased to Rs. 10,000.

Australia to play two Test matches at Galle

The Australian cricket team will arrive in Sri Lanka on January 20 for a series comprising two Test matches and one One-Day International (ODI).

Mass shooting in Queens leaves at least 11 people injured

Police in Queens, New York are investigating a reported mass shooting at a nightclub on Wednesday that has left at least 11 people wounded.