Health officials concerned as Pfizer vaccines set to expire in July

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in stock will be expiring in July, an official said.

No revision in train fares from tonight: Dilum

From tonight, there will be no increase in the intercity and long distance special train fares, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

16 Sri Lankans among 38 migrants, hidden in semi-trailer truck, found at western border

Therty-eight migrants from Turkey, Syria, Sri Lanka and Iraq were discovered while trying to leave from Romania illegally hidden in a semi-trailer truck and two minibuses driven by Romanians and checked at the Nadlac II Border Crossing Point.

Govt. decides to close down some SL missions

The Government has decided to close down some Sri Lanka missions as a means of cutting down expenditure, State Minister of Regional Relations Taraka Balasuriya informed Parliament today.

Rs. 68Mn worth loans taken from SMIB fraudulently: COPE Report

Around 47 individuals have obtained Rs. 68 million worth loans from the State Mortgage & Investment Bank (SMIB) in 2017 by way of forged documents – The Committee on Public Enterprise (COPE) has observed.

Wijedasa proposes 21st Amendment which enable Parliament to elect new President

SLPP MP Wijedasa Rajapaksha has handed over the 21st Amendment to the constitution under which he proposed the transformation of executive powers of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the cabinet and to elect a new President by Parliament forthwith.

Special plan to supply rice at reasonable price during festive season: Minister

Refuting claims that the country was heading towards a food crisis, Agricultural Minister Mahindananada Aluthgamage said today special mechanism was in the making to supply rice at a reasonable price during the upcoming festive season.

Train fare up

While holding a special media briefing today, the Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said that the Railways Department has increased the intercity and long distance special train fare from last night without prior notice.

Banking system is stable, assures CBSL

Responding to statements made by various parties with regard to the stability of the banking system, the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka today assured the public and all other stake holders that the banking system was stable in the country.

Vigil on Indian coast to check influx of illegal SL migrants

The Kerala police have beefed up security along the coast, especially Vizhinjam, after central agencies issued an alert about the possibility of Sri Lankan citizens trying to illegally enter the country.

IMF Asia Director to retire in April, week after meeting GR, BR

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Asia Pacific Director Changyong Rhee who was in Sri Lanka last week to start negotiations with Sri Lanka over IMF assistance will retire from the IMF in early April.

Zoo must be brought under President’s purview: DG

Shermila Rajapaksa, Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens, today said that if the Minister or the Ministry Secretary of Wildlife and Forest Conservation cannot implement the recommendations of the committee report, they should resign or bring the National Zoological Gardens under the purview of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“Soththi Upali’s’’ son arrested over Nawala fuel station attack

Two suspects including the son of former notorious underworld gangster “Soththi Upali” have been arrested by the STF in connection with the recent robbery at a filling station in Nawala area.

Mahindananda lock horns with Sajith, Harsha

A heated cross talk in lighter vein took place between Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and opposition members in Parliament today when Minister Aluthgamage mischievously remarked that a prominent MP from Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is ready to join with the government and some more SJB MPs will be backing Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in two weeks time.

Expedite exploration to identify places of valuable mineral resources: Amaraweera

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed to expedite the ongoing exploration activities to identify places of valuable mineral resources in Sri Lanka.

Zelenskyy calls for global protests; Biden travels to Europe

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for global protests to demand an end to the Russian invasion.

Three die, one hospitalised in a fire at house in Katugastota

A father, daughter and her boyfriend have died after a fire broke out in a house at Menikkumburawatte in Katugastota this morning, Police said.

SLFP did not propose APC to strengthen alliance with govt: Siyambalapitiya

Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) did not propose an All Party Conference (APC) to strengthen the alliance with the government, Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

UN accuses Sri Lanka of violating rights of LGBTI activist

Sri Lanka violated the rights of a lesbian and leading LGBTI activist who was subjected to discrimination, threats and abuses due to the country’s Penal Code that criminalises same-sex sexual activity, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has found.

US encourages PC polls in SL, says move to reach out IMF courageous

While saying that it is a courageous step by the Sri Lankan Government to reach out to the International Monetary Fund, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland underscored that the US is encouraging Provincial Council elections in Sri Lanka.

Only a powerful people’s movement can rescue country from present crisis: Anura Kumara

Claiming that a mere political party could not rescue the country from the present crisis, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today it could be done only by forming a powerful people’s movement and toppling this failed government.

Power cut schedule announced for tomorrow

The power schedule which was imposed today will be carried out for tomorrow (24) as well, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Delay in printing text books due to power cuts, scarcity of paper, accessories and diesel: Comm. General

There is a delay in printing school textbooks due to the shortage of paper and other related accessories, Educational Publications Department Commissioner General P.N. Ilaperuma said.

Ranil strikes again at APC; confronts Basil

An argument between former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa broke out at the All-Party Conference (APC) convened today over IMF report on Sri Lanka.

Gem exports can bring US$1Bn to SL this year: SB

Action will be taken to increase exporting gems that could bring in a revenue of US$1 billion by the end of this year, which is currently at US $265 mn, Industries Minister S. B. Dissanayake said.

Mahinda thanked Modi

While thanking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing Indian economic development assistance and credit facilities, said that he would expect the Indian government would pay a special attention to the development of the country.

S. Korea to expand labour cooperation with SL: Envoy

The Korean government has taken measures to expand labour cooperation and Official Development Assistance (ODA) collaboration between the two countries and assist in resuscitating the Sri Lankan economy, Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin Jeong said.

Customs seize large haul of cocaine declared as scrap metal

Sri Lanka Customs today seized a 20-foot container with a large haul of cocaine weighing 350kg, worth more than Rs.7,000 million while transiting to India, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

Traffic congestion in Nugegoda due to NPP protest

Traffic congestion has been reported due to a protest march by National People’s Power (NPP) in Nugegoda.

President apologizes to Ranil over Cabraal’s remarks

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa expressed his apology to former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the All Party Conference over the remarks made by Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal in which he accused the former government for the present crisis.