US $ 200 million out of Indian credit line for pharmaceutical imports

The government decided to use US $ 200 million out of the US $ 1 billion Indian credit line to import essential medicines from India, a Minister said today.

CWC and TPA also pull out of All Party Conference

The Ceylon Workers Congress which is part of the government and led by State Minister Jeevan Thondaman and the opposition Tamil Progressive Alliance led by Mano Ganeshan have also decided not to attend the All Party Conference chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday.

Train ticket reservations now online

While transitioning the entire ticketing system to a digital based system, the railways department launched a mobile app and a website today to make it easier for commuters to reserve seats online.

Fuel distribution should continue for 24-hrs to overcome current fuel crisis: Ananda Palitha

To overcome the country’s current fuel crisis and control the unfortunate deaths in queues, fuel distribution must continue uninterrupted for the next 24 hours, Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) convenor and media spokesman Ananda Palitha said.

Price of face masks too goes up

In the wake of Dollar value going up day by day against the rupee, the prices of all types of face masks have been increased by 30%, local manufactures said.

Recovery of hand grenade at All Saints’ Church in Borella: Retired Doctor released on bail

Retired medical practitioner Dr. Shirley Herath (75) who was arrested and remanded over the hand grenade incident at All Saints’ Church in Borella was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo High Court.

Main door in Galle Fort dismantled only for repairs: CCF

Refuting reports that the double lid main door at the entrance to the Galle Fort, fitted by the Dutch who built the fort in the 17th century AD, has been removed, the Central Cultural Fund said today that the door was dismantled recently only to carry out repairs.

Boeing 737 plane carrying 133 crashes in China, casualties unknown

A China Eastern Airlines passenger plane (Boeing 737) carrying 133 people has crashed in southwest China, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

SL rupee further depreciates against US Dollar

The Sri Lankan rupee touched a record low of Rs. 285 against the US Dollar today.

Group of Russian elite plans to assassinate Putin by poison, claims Ukraine intelligence

A group of influential people who oppose President Vladimir Putin and who plan to assassinate him, is forming among the Russian business and political elite, according to the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Govt. turns to China for $1BN loan

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong said today that the Sri Lankan government had sought a US $ 1 billion loan and US $ 1.5 billion buyer’s credit facility from China, and the request was under consideration.

SJB also boycotts all party conference

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has decided to boycott the all party conference (APC) called by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanayake told Daily Mirror today.

Another man dies after getting fuel in a queue in Meerigama

Another senior citizen aged 76, who was returning from a fuel queue in Meerigama while taking diesel, has fainted and died on admission to the hospital.

Terms tests for Grades 9, 10 and 11 to be held as planned

The Provincial Department of Education has decided to conduct term examinations for Grades 9, 10 and 11 in schools in the Western Province from March 29 as planned.

Unloading of first diesel shipment under Indian credit line at Kolonnawa

The first diesel shipment under the Indian credit line received last night at the Colombo port and started unloading, Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) Chairman M.R.W. de Soyza said.

President’s Office refutes social media claims on GR’s resignation

In response to reports being circulated on social media claming that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is pondering his resignation, President’s Spokesman Kingsly Rathnayake told Daily Mirror that such reports contain no truth and are baseless.

IDD charges increased: TRCSL

International Direct Dialing charges (IDD) have been increased due to rupee depreciating against the dollar, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) said.

Litro says prices of gas not increased

Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd Theshara Jayasinghe said today that the company has not taken any decision as yet to increase the prices of litro gas.

Central Bank sold nearly US$ 600mn in forex to defend rupee before letting it go

In the two months to February, the Central Bank had sold nearly US$ 600 million in foreign currency to maintain the currency peg with the United States dollar at 198/203 levels before letting it go from March 7, as maintaining peg at that level became untenable.

Motorcyclist stabbed to death during argument at fuel queue in Nittambuwa

A 29-year old motorcyclist was stabbed to death by a three-wheeler driver following an argument at a fuel station in Horagolla, Nittambuwa last night, Police said.

Red alert on cyclonic storm over Southeast Bay of Bengal issued

The low-pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal has concentrated into a depression and lay centered at 8.30 am today (20) over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea,’’ the Meteorology Department said.

Man nabbed with Rs.120mn worth gold in Jaffna bound bus

A 38-year-old suspect was arrested while transporting over 6 kg of gold worth Rs. 120 million in a bus plying to Jaffna from Colombo, police said.

Ranjan admitted to Colombo National Hospital

Former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, who was receiving treatment at the Welikada Prison Hospital was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital today.

JVP to boycott All-Party Conference

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would not participate at the All- Party Conference (APC) convened by the President, as it was not meant to resolve the economic crisis but to resolve the political crisis within the government, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Another man dies fainting in a fuel queue in Kadawatha

Another senior citizen who fainted while standing in a fuel queue in Kadawatha has died on admission to hospital today.

Garbage collection halted again in Colombo City

Garbage collection in some parts of the Colombo City has been halted once again due to fuel scarcity, a senior member of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Mahendra de Silva told the Daily Mirror today.

Laugfs increases gas prices

The price of a laugfs gas has been increased due to the rupee depreciating against the dollar, Deputy Chairman of Laugfs Gas Thilak de Silva said.

Cup of milk tea will be Rs.100 from tonight: Canteen Owners’ Assn.

From tonight, the All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) is to increase the price of a cup of milk tea Rs.100.

Milk powder to be released to market in April with no increase in prices: MILCO chairman

The MILCO Private Limited said they have resumed the milkpowder manufacturing process and stocks will be back on the market shelves by April without increasing its prices, its chairman, Renuka Perera said

Two Thai women arrested from a Mt. Lavinia brothel

Two Thai women have been arrested during a raid at a brothel at De Saram Road in Mount Lavinia.