SYU protesters break into Presidential Secretariat

A group of protesters of the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) attached to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have forcibly entered the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

Motorcycle parade cancelled due to public protest

A three-day motorcycle parade organised by a private motorcycle club called ’’Spin Rider Club’’ from Mirigama to Anuradhapura via Kalpitiya has been cancelled by the police due to public protest.

Woman arrested with forged US visa

A 64-year-old woman was arrested yesterday for attempting to flee to America with a forged US visa, the police said.

Namal calls for probe over his name being linked to motor parade

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Namal Rajapaksa has requested the police for an investigation to identify how his name was linked to a motor parade held in Kalpitiya yesterday.

Bring no-confidence motion to overthrow the Govt, rather than bringing people to protest: Mervyn Silva

Former Minister Mervyn Silva said that opposition parties could bring in a no-confidence motion to overthrow the government rather than bringing people in buses and forcing them to participate in political rallies.

Anything possible at any time as China goes for lockdown: Health Ministry

As authorities in China, the country where Coronavirus was first discovered, have widened lockdowns in multiple cities due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has also urged Sri Lankans to abide by health guidelines, warning that the virus was far from over.

35 MW from Broadland hydro power plant will be added to national grid soon: Minister

Thirty five megawatts from Broadland hydro power plant to be integrated into the national grid in the near future. Power Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Diesel, Jet fuel consignments stuck at Port

The government has been unable to clear two consignments of fuel consisting of diesel and jet fuel which is presently docked at the Colombo Port totalling to 42 million US dollars and due to the delay in clearance, the foreign company is now claiming a fee for demurrage, the Daily Mirror learns.

Nuwara Eliya April Festival will be held: C.B. Ratnayake

Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation C.B. Ratnayake said Nuwara Eliya April Festival would be held despite of whatever problems in the country.

Cyclonic storm expected next week:Met. Dept.

A cyclonic storm is expected over the Bay of Bengal around March 21, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Health officials warn of surge in cases due to protests ahead of festive season

As the festive season is just around the corner, the Health authorities warned people to be vigilant given the situation where protests and other gatherings are held, creating room for basic health rules to go for a toss.

Tomorrow’s power cut schedule announced

The power schedule which was imposed today will be carried out for tomorrow (18) as well, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Rajitha says son Chatura very much part of SJB, slams critics

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Rajitha Senaratne today said his son Chatura Senaratne was very much part of the SJB and slammed critics within the party who claimed that his son was not part of the political party.

Heated argument between bowler Suranga Lakmal and another at BIA

Video footage showing that a heated argument ensured between Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Suranga Lakmal and another individual upon the national team’s arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport from India earlier yesterday, over the national team setback during the Indian tour.

Water Board says supply will be disconnected if arrears not settled

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has decided to disconnect water supply for all consumers who haven’t settled their water bills since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, NWSDB Additional General Manager (Billing) Piyal Pathmanatha said.

Update: Sri Lanka signs USD 1 billion credit line with India

Sri Lanka on Thursday signed USD 1 billion credit line with India for procurement of food, medicines and other essential items, amid the island nation’s worsening economic crisis.

Special commodity levy on fruits, dairy products introduced

The Trade and Investment Policy Department of the Finance Ministry has imposed a Special Commodity Levy on several imported items such as fruits and dairy products.

Lowest daily COVID-19 deaths reported after one year

The daily COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday was the lowest after nearly 375 days.

Won’t remit Dollars to Sri Lanka: Expatriate organization

’Sri Lankan Expatriates for Change’, an organization formed by the Sri Lankan expatriates based in Milan in Italy today said they have decided to refrain from remitting dollars to Sri Lanka as a protest against whom they call corrupt politicians who had ruled the nation in the past and now.

Setting up of sugar processing plant: Vedda chief having ’an open mind’

Several leading Vedda chieftains in Bibile recently expressing their thoughts about the controversial land acquisition attempts to set up a sugar processing plant said, they are ‘being in an open mind’ yet will act accordingly, on what their leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo has to say.

WHO says global rise in COVID cases is ’tip of the iceberg’

Figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates, the WHO said on Tuesday, warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus.

SJB to prepare a blue print for economic development

The Samaji Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday said it has embarked on preparing a blue print to revive the Sri Lankan economy and is prepared to talk to international organizations as well for the purpose.

’’I have not been told to resign’’: Cabraal

Amidst rising rumours that Central Bank Governor Ajith Cabraal has been told to resign from his position by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amidst the severe economic crisis and his continuous denials of seeking IMF assistance, Cabraal last evening told Daily Mirror that these rumours were wrong and he had not received any such request.

Govt. to revisit proposed FTA with China

After a gap of seven years, the government has decided to revisit the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with China, a top source said.

Gas distribution to resume today: President’s Office

The payments for the LP gas cylinders have been made and thus, unloading and distribution of domestic LP gas will re-commence today (17), the President’s Office said.

Increase train services with higher passenger demand: Station Masters’

With the current fuel price increase, people who used private transportation systems have a tendency to use train services as it was a low cost transport mode, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

7.3 magnitude quake hits north Japan, tsunami alert issued

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima in northern Japan on Wednesday evening, triggering a tsunami advisory and plunging more than 2 million homes in the Tokyo area into darkness.

It’s absurd targeting one person without studying nation’s problems, says Ven. Gnanasara

There is no point in substituting and targeting an individual without properly understanding the problems that prevail in the country, head of Presidential Task-force for One Country-One Law and Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera said.

Govt. to work with IMF: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he has decided to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after examining the advantages and disadvantages.

I will not remain in govt. If IMF assistance sought: Vasu

Minister of Water Supply Vasudeva Nanayakkara said today he would not remain in the government, if it was seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and abiding by its conditions.