UK’s The Guardian travel quiz says Eelam is an indigenous name for SL

A travel picture quiz posted by the UK’s The Guardian website in one of its question said Eelam is an indigenous name for Sri Lanka.

COVID-19 Fund balance exceeds Rs.1 billion

The balance of the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund has reached Rs.1064.4 million passing the Rs.one billion mark, the President’s Media Division said today.

Landslide early warning issued for two districts

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued landslide early warnings for Matale and Galle districts.

Western Province Revenue Licences renewal period extended till July 31

The grace period granted for renewing of vehicle revenue licences in the Western Province had been extended till July 31, the Chief Secretary of the Western Province said.

Can’t allow irrational laws to impede our economy: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that irrational laws should not obstruct the policies formulated to achieve the economic objectives of the people.

Depression developing into a cyclone over South Bay of Bengal: Met

The low pressure area over South East Bay of Bengal and neighborhood is likely to developed into a depression over same region during next 12 hours and further intensify into a cyclonic storm over South Bay of Bengal tomorrow (16), the Department of Meteorology said.

Jogging tracks reopened for exercising

The jogging tracks, which were closed more than a month due to the COVID-19 outbreak, reopened to the public for exercising this morning, Police said.

Alcohol consumption and smoking drops during lockdown: ADIC

Alcohol consumption has dropped by 80 per cent while smoking records 68 per cent drop during the lockdown period since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, a survey by the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) revealed.

32 more Covid-19 patients recover

Thirty-two more COVID-19 infected patients were recovered and discharged from the hospital today, the Health Ministry said.

Tough action against vandalizing archaeological and historic sites: Def. Sec.

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said yesterday that tough action will be taken against those vandalizing and encroaching archaeological and historic sites.

151 naval Covid-19 patients recovered

A total of 151 naval personnel out of those infected with Covid-19 have been recovered and discharged from hospitals, the Navy said.

Four arrested with 226kgs of heroin in Ragama

Four suspects have been arrested with 226 kgs of heroin during a raid in Ragama by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB).

180 people leave home after quarantine

A total of 180 people who were quarantined at the SLAF quarantine centre in Vanni left for their homes today.

Global coronavirus death toll exceeds 300,000

Global coronavirus deaths have passed 300,000 as infections approached 4.5 million, according to a Reuters tally, with the United States responsible for more than a quarter of all fatalities.

No more isolated areas– Army Chief

Bandaranayake Mawatha in Colombo 12 and the Suduwella area in Ja-Ela, which were placed under isolation, have been re-opened, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

GMOA unhappy over re-opening of liquor shops

While expressing its displeasure over the Government’s decision to re-open liquor shops in the country, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said the behavior of people at liquor shops could not be condoned.

Heavy Showers expected in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces

Heavy falls up to 100 mm could be expected at some places in the Western and the Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, The Department of Meteorology forecast yesterday.

Nine more Covid-19 cases identified

Nine more Covid-19 infected patient were reported today increasing the total cases to 925, the Health Ministry said.

Sri Lanka to export 200 million face masks to US

Brandix Apparel Limited has started to export 200 million face masks to the United States, the company said.

Think outside the box to revive economy: President to banking sector

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested the banking sector to deviate from conventional thinking and practice to support the efforts to rebuild the economy which was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the PMD said.

Roadmap to reopen BIA soon

The government has worked out a roadmap for reopening the Bandaranaike International Airport for inbound and outbound passengers with guidelines that include the setting up of a laboratory to test them for COVID-19, Civil Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

New Indian envoy stresses need for joint efforts to fight Covid-19, terrorism

Newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay, who presented his credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a ceremony organised through video conferencing, stressed in a brief, exclusive comment to the Daily Mirror that joint efforts between Sri Lanka and India were important to fight challenges in development, COVID-19 and terrorism.

Employers give pledge to govt.: Won’t lay off a single employee

The government has been able to obtain an undertaking from employers not to lay off even a single employee, but pay whatever the highest in half of the monthly salary or Rs. 14,500 minimum per month from April though their establishments had been hit with the COVID 19 pandemic, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

President donates three-month salary to COVID-19 Fund

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has surrendered his three-month salary of Rs. 292,500 to the COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund, the President’s Media Division said.

Toll of COVID-19 cases rises 916

One more Covid-19 infected patient was reported today increasing the total cases to 916, the Health Ministry said.

Curfew in Colombo, Gampaha to continue; island-wide curfew on Sunday

The curfew in the Colombo and the Gampaha districts would continue until further notice while curfew in other districts would continue from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily until next Saturday (16) and island-wide curfew would be imposed on Sunday (17), President’s Media Division said.

Five-judge bench appointed to hear petitions filed challenging election date

The Supreme Court has appointed a five-judge bench, led by the Chief Justice to hear Fundemental Rights petitions filed challenging the election date.

Three envoys present credentials through video conferencing amidst COVID-19

Two newly appointed Ambassadors and a High Commissioner presented credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa through video conferencing today due to COVID-19 pandemic, the President’s Media Division said.

Mangala arrives at CID to give statement

Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) a short while ago to give a statement over a case of transporting voters during the Presidential Election.

445 Covid-19 patients recovered so far

A total of 63 more Covid-19 infected patients recovered and were discharged today increasing the total recovered cases in Sri Lanka to 445, the Health Ministry said.