Power crises forces Parliament to curtail power usage: Speaker

Usage of power has been limited in the Parliamentary complex due to the present power crisis, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced today.

Court of Appeal issues notices on Litro and Laughs Gas Companies and others

The Court of Appeal today issued notices on Litro and Laughs Gas Companies, Consumer Affairs Authority and Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) standards, returnable for June 6 in connection with a writ petition filed challenging the gas companies’ decision to release unsafe gas cylinders to the market.

Ranjan to express special regret over utterances in second contempt of court case

Former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayak through his counsel today informed Supreme Court that he is expecting to make a special regret if his utterances have caused any contempt towards the Supreme Court.

No A/C after 2.30 p.m. at State institutions; new circular issued

In the wake of the foreign exchange crisis which has adversely affected fuel importation, the Ministry of Public Services has issued a new circular in respect of the consumption of electricity and fuel at all public institutions.

First lady’s mother passes away

The mother-in-law of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa- Padmadevi Peries- has passed away in California, USA, sources said.

Fuel storage, distribution come under Maj. Gen. De Zoysa

Major General M.R. W. de Zoysa today assumed duties as the new Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited.

McDonald’s, Starbucks, Coke and Pepsi all halt sales in Russia

McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola and Starbucks stopped sales of their best-known products in Russia on Tuesday, offering a united rebuke of the war on Ukraine by companies that define America for much of the world.

Supplying medicine to pharmacies suspended from yesterday

After the decision by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to devalue the rupee against the US dollar to Rs. 230, the mainline medicine manufacturing companies and importers have stopped supplying medicine to pharmacies from yesterday, All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (ACPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda said.

All residential and commercial buildings to go under microscope

All the residential and commercial multi-storey buildings in the country, especially condominiums, are to go under the microscope, which may lead to hefty fines or demolition. The Urban Development Authority (UDA) is going to constitute an independent advisory committee consisting of architects and engineers to review approvals and check building violations of existing structures.

Tourist arrivals in first nine weeks of 2022 surpass total arrivals in 2021

Sri Lanka welcomed over 25,000 tourists in the first week of March, bringing the total number of arrivals to cross the 200,000 mark.

Ranil says no national govt. but calls for all parties to unite to come out of crises

Rumours have been rife that UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is in talks with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to form a national government amidst the ongoing crises, but sources close to Wickremesinghe yesterday denied these rumours saying the UNP Leader would not form a national government.

Health Ministry refutes rumours of lower testing rates

Responding to reports where it is stated that number of daily cases has gone down due to the lower testing rates, the Health Ministry said there is nothing of that sort.

Mendis Distilleries suspended from functioning: Semasinghe

Mendis Distilleries which is owned by Arjun Aloysius is yet to settle due tax arrears and therefore it has not been allowed to function, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament today.

Government willing to amend laws on abortion: Minister

Government is willing to amend laws pertaining to abortion subjected to conditions, Parliament was informed today.

PUCSL announces tomorrow’s power shedding

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today announced power shedding for tomorrow as a result of fuel scarcity and the absence of power generators.

Red notice issued on severe lightning in 9 districts: Met Dept.

Red notice on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning was issued for nine districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

SL should also apply for int’l patent for Kottu: MP Herath

Sri Lanka should apply for an international patent for Kottu which is a food which has originated from the island, a government MP told Parliament today.

SLFP MPs meet President

A meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Parliamentarians representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was held at the Presidential Secretariat this evening (08).

Myanmar media reports on rice exported to Sri Lanka baseless: Bandula

While claiming that the Myanmar government has refuted reports appeared in the Myanmar media on matters pertaining to rice exported to Sri Lanka, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana today informed Parliament that no rice has been imported to Sri Lanka from Myanmar as yet.

School girl axed to death in Haliela

The Haliela Police launched investigations after a school girl had been axed to death at Uduwara in Haliela this afternoon.

Final report on probe into Pandora Papers soon: Govt.

The final report of the investigation which the Bribery Commission had initiated with regards to two Sri Lankans Nirupama Rajapaksa and Thirukumar Nadesan, listed in the controversial Pandora Papers would be released soon, the government informed Parliament today.

There’s a conspiracy behind ongoing power outages - Namal

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa today said there maybe a conspiracy behind the ongoing power crisis which needed to be probed.

Excise Dept. denies reports of liquor supplies being stopped after March 22

The Excise Department today denied reports circulating on social media that alcohol production will be stopped from March 22 due to insufficient ethanol for its production due to the shortage of fuel and disruption of power.

Jayantha Samaraweera resigns as State Minister

The National Freedom Front (NFF) Parliamentarian Jayantha Samaraweera said that he has resigned from the post of State Minister of Warehousing Facilities, Container Yards, Ports Supply Facilities and Boat and Shipping Industry Development.

Women take to the street against govt.

Heavy traffic was reported from Technical Junction towards the Fort Railway Station due to a protest march organized by the Women’s collective to protect the rights of the people against the government.

Cabinet nod for nine-member Economic Council

The establishment of an Economic Council comprising of nine members received the Cabinet nod today.

Two locals nabbed with Rs.10mn worth Anthurium plants

Two Sri Lankan passengers were arrested at the Katunayake International airport in possession of anthurium plants which they have brought from Thailand, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

Two arrested for assaulting ex- PSD officer of Maithripala Sirisena

Two persons have been arrested by the Talangama Police in connection with an assault on a Police Sergeant attached to the Ex-Presidential Security Division (PSD) of former President Maithripala Sirisena.

Certain clauses in PTA Amendment Bill inconsistent with Constitution: Speaker

The Supreme Court has determined that certain clauses in the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill are not consistent with the Constitution and need to be amended before being enacted into laws, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena informed Parliament today.

Gas shipment arrives and distribution to begin

With the arrival of 2, 500 MT of domestic gas shipment, the gas companies have initiated their production, Trade Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.