A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse tomorrow night

The second penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020 will begin on June 5th night at 11.15 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time, when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon said Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, the Director of Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University.

Probe over alleged harassment on autistic teen at checkpoint

An investigation had been launched by the SSP Kalutara over a video circulating on social media which shows a 14-year-old autistic boy at Dharga Town in Aluthgama being allegedly harassed by Police officers, the Police said.

Though high, Navy COVID-19 cases contained to quarantine centres

Even though the number of COVID-19 cases reported within the Navy are relatively high, all the cases are being reported from quarantine centres, the Navy said today.

Provincial journalist test negative for COVID-19

The provincial journalist who covered the funeral of late Minister Arumugam Thondaman had tested negative for COVID-19, hospital sources said.

Paying income tax during lock-down period: Cabinet approves not to charge any fine

The Cabinet has decided not to charge any fine on income tax during the lock-down period (till June 20, 2020), Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said.

Issuing driving licences: Cabinet approves to cancel outsourcing practical test

Cabinet approval was granted to cancel the decision taken by the previous government to outsource the practical tests conducted by the department of Motor Traffic when issuing driving licences, Passenger Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

George Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest

George Floyd’s final autopsy report has revealed the 46-year-old had tested positive for coronavirus, but died from ’cardiopulmonary arrest’ following his altercation with a Minneapolis police officer last Monday.

Mayoress agrees to increase sterilisations, put up dog shelter

Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayake agreed to put up a dog shelter in the existing dog pounds premises in Borella as a long term solution to the stray dogs issue in Colombo. This decision was taken at a meeting held yesterday with a few animal welfare organisation representatives.

Locusts spread to South

The spreading of locusts reported recently from Kurunegala and Mawathagama area has now spread to several areas in the south.

Ibrahim, family stood nonchalant despite blasts: Witness

A team of officers attached to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to conduct an investigation to the residences of two Easter Sunday bombers at Mahavila Gardens, Dematagoda on April 21, 2019, went without any weapon except one service pistol with ten bullets and handcuffs, a Sgt. Wasantha Sisira Kumara who was attached to the Wattala police yesterday informed the PCoI investigating Easter Sunday suicide attacks.

Special dengue prevention programme in Colombo from today

A special three-day dengue prevention programme will be launched in the City by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Police Environmental Protection Division from today to the (6) to coincide with the islandwide curfew, Mayor Rosy Senanayake said.

Three Lankan deaths in South Korea within a week

Three Sri Lankan migrant workers in South Korea have lost their lives within a space of a week due to various reasons including suicide, an official source from the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea told the Daily Mirror.

Will leave national politics: Rosy

Colombo Mayoress Rosy Senanayake said that she will not be involved in national politics but will remain as the Mayoress for another term to see that all promises in her manifesto have been fulfilled.

Mahendran living in Singapore safely & happily under a different name: Maithri

The prime suspect of the Central Bank bond scam case Arjuna Mahendran has changed his name and living in Singapore safely and happily, former President Maithripala Sirisena claimed today.

Dramatic rise in cyber crime during COVID-19 lockdown: CERT

The COVID-19-induced island wide curfew saw a dramatic rise in cyber crime incidents in Sri Lanka with an alarming number of over 3,900 complaints, according to Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT).

Decision on date for elections next Monday

A decision on the date for the General Election would be made at the Election Commission’s next meeting scheduled for Monday (8), its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Activism in US against systemic racism a powerful lesson to all: Sanga

Former cricketer Kumar Sangakkara said today that the activism in the US against systemic racism and injustice is a powerful lesson to us all.

Man arrives in SL with daughter by boat fearing COVID-19 in India

A man and his daughter surrendered themselves to the Madu Police yesterday after arriving in Talaimannar by boat from India fearing COVID-19 virus spread in India.

Magistrate refuses to issue arrest warrant on Ex-Welikada OIC

The Colombo Additional Magistrate today refused to issue an arrest warrant on former Welikada Police OIC, ASP Sudath Asmadala, and granted him bail over allegedly fabricating evidence in the 2016 Rajagiriya accident case.

Backlash in China after front-line doctor dies

The death of a front-line doctor in central China is provoking a backlash against the authorities’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Health guidelines for election to be issued

The health guidelines to be followed by the Elections Commission (EC), election officials, voters, employees of the public, political parties and candidates and private sector the media and the public would be issued today, Director General Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

Presidential Task Force appointed to build a Secure Country, Disciplined, Virtuous and Lawful Society

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued an extraordinary gazette yesterday announcing the establishment of a 13-member Presidential Task Force to build a Secure Country, Disciplined, Virtuous and Lawful Society.

Two including PC killed in accident

A Police Constable and a civilian were killed after the motorcycle they were travelling in crashed onto a lorry in Kanagarayankulam on the Colombo-Kandy A9 Road this morning, the police said.

Americans calling for change after Floyd killing: US envoy

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz says Americans across the US are expressing their anger over the death pf George Floyd and are demanding change.

COVID-19 threat within society ’basically over’, says Army Chief

The threat from the COVID-19 within the society is almost basically over in Sri Lanka and authorities have formulated a plan to prevent a fresh threat emerging within the public from the infected persons who are being repatriated from overseas, Army Commander. Lt. General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Can’t hold on to law books with regard to the election - Poll monitors

Though there are issues which are still to be resolved with regard to the general election, one cannot go into extremes and hold on to law books but should take a middle path with regard to the polls, Executive Director of a leading polls monitoring organisation said yesterday.

India assures support to SL to obtain few of the Trinco oil tanks

Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay has assured Power, Energy and Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera of State level support to obtain some of the oil tanks at Trincomalee from the Indian Oil Company (IOC) to set up bulk storage of fuel in Sri Lanka exploiting the sharp drop in the world market oil prices.

Difficult to maintain quarantine laws at State funeral: Navin

Defending the arrangements made for the funeral of former minister Arumugam Thondaman, UNP National Organiser Navin Dissanayake said yesterday it would have been difficult to practice quarantine laws at a state funeral.

COVID-19 Fund balance surpasses Rs.1,230 million

The ‘ITUKAMA’ COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund balance has surpassed Rs. 1,230 million with corporate and individual donations and direct deposits, the President’s Media Division said.

June 4 declared a holiday for govt. workers

June 4 has been declared as a holiday for all government institutions in view of the countrywide curfew, the Public Administration Ministry announced today.