Coronavirus disease named Covid-19

The World Health Organization says the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus is Covid-19.

Man arrested with Ice at Central Mail Exchange

A 29-year-old man who arrived to collect a parcel containing 502 grams of crystal Methamphetamine, a stimulant drug popularly known as Ice, had been arrested CME yesterday, the Police said.

Death toll in China hits 1,113 with confirmed infections exceeding 44,000

China reported the death toll from the outbreak has risen to 1,113 and that the number of cases had hit 44,653 infections, but it also reported what appeared to be a slowing number of new cases in Hubei, the centre of the outbreak.

Drivers License medical tests to be done at 150 Hospitals: Minister

Medical tests for issuing driving licences for dual-purpose vehicles and light vehicles could be obtained at State hospitals in two weeks’ time, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

UNP urges EC not to recognise the new party

The UNP requested the Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday, to decline the application made to register a new political party by the name Samagi Jathika Balawegaya.

Premadasa-faction forms Samagi Jana Balawegaya

The United National Party (UNP) faction led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa legalized its alliance under the name, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), widening the existing split in the UNP ahead of the general elections, informed sources said.

Earthquake off SL east coast; no Tsunami threat to SL-Met dept

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake has struck in the North Indian Ocean, near South east coast of Sri Lanka at about 2.34 am today, the Department of Meteorology announced.

33 student-returnees from Whuan to be released on Sunday

The 33 Sri Lankan students airlifted from Wuhan in China on February 1 and quarantined at the Diyatalawa army hospital will be discharged on February 16, Chief epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said yesterday.

Online applications for G.C.E. (O/L,A/L) Grade 5 Scholarship exams soon

Taking further steps into digitalisation, the Examination Department had decided to call applications for the G.C.E. O/L, A/L and the Grade Five Scholarship examination online-based system soon.

JVP damaged properties worth Rs.55 Bn in 1980s

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s destruction of public property during the late 1980s had cost the country a staggering Rs.55 billion at today’s valuation, an official said.

Driving licences within three hours: Dilum Amunugama

Applicants can obtain their light-vehicle driving licences within three hours after submitting the applications with the medical report at the one-day service counter, State Minister of Transport, Dilum Amunugama said.

Police says delay caused over doubt of jurisdiction

Replying to a letter sent by the IGP that the Police so far could not identify the legal jurisdiction of the offence, Attorney General Dappula de Livera yesterday highly criticized the behavior of the Police as they could have obtained necessary legal guidance from the AG over the jurisdiction without wasting 18 days since the first instructions.

I’ll be stepping down as Speaker with a clear conscience: Karu

I have never purchased an official vehicle using public funds and wore a wig used by past Speakers during my 5-year tenure as Parliament Speaker, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya said.

Revise Uni study course to fit job market: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who met University Vice-chancellors and officials of the University Grants Commission (UGC) said the present university study course should be updated in line with local and international job-market demands.

Need committee of high officials to ensure closure

Former Chief Justice Mohan Pieris said yesterday it was imperative that a committee comprising high officials be appointed to decide on a strategy to ensure the closure of the co-sponsored Geneva Resolution 30/1.

MCC seeks Congress approval for projects, including in SL

In its Congressional Budget Justification, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has requested $800 million to support Compact Programmes in several countries, including in Sri Lanka.

Sajith-faction will face defeat at general elections: Gammanpila

At the upcoming general elections, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa-led alliance will experience a defeat larger than at the presidential election, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader, MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

SL effectively tackling child labour thanks to GSP: EC

Several countries including Sri Lanka, Mongolia and Bolivia are more effectively tackling child labour thanks to the GSP concession, a report issued by the European Commission’s said.

Hot weather: Ministry issues guidelines for school children safety

The Education ministry today advised school administrations to take precautionary measures due to the prevailing hot weather situation including that of not allowing students to engage in any physical activities outdoors between 11.00 a.m and 3.30 p.m.

Committee on High Posts to examine Beddage’s suitability as envoy

The Parliamentary Committee on High Posts will examine the suitability of nominating and appointing artiste Rohana Beddage as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Maldives, a paper advertisement said today.

SL has important role to play in maintaining regional peace: Pakistan

Sri Lanka has an important role to play in maintaining peace and stability in the region, visiting Pakistan Air Force Chief Air Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan said.

Dhammika Perera signs MOU with luxury brands, Ritz Carlton and JW Marriott

Corporate trailblazer, Greener Water Limited Chairman Dhammika Perera and Summer Season Limited Chairman Mohan Pandithage signed two groundbreaking MOUs to establish global luxury brands JW Marriott & Ritz Carlton in Sri Lanka.

AG expresses displeasure to Acting IGP

The Attorney General has expressed his displeasure to the acting IGP over his response in dealing with AG’s advice, AG’s Coordinating Secretary Nishara Jayaratne said.

PM returns from India

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in the country a short while ago from India after concluding his first official overseas visit.

Smart card, E-ticketing system for railway seat reservations: Minister

A smart card and an online E-ticketing system would be introduced for easy seat reservation in trains, Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Coronavirus kills over 1,000 In China. Xi, in face mask, visits hospital

The number of fatalities from China’s new coronavirus epidemic jumped to 1,011 nationwide on Tuesday after hard-hit Hubei province reported 103 new deaths.

170 patients sought treatment over the weekend at hospitals in SL

Over 170 patients, over the weekend, sought treatment at various hospitals in Sri Lanka, including the IDH in Angoda, in fear that they may have contracted the novel coronavirus, health ministry sources told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Wimal demands probe

Minister Wimal Weerawansa requested the acting IGP and the CID to carry out a probe into an incident where US $100,000 had been transferred to the bank account in the United States belonging to former minister Rishad Bathiudeen during the 52-day government period in 2018.

Ranil rebuffs Sajith’s request to reappoint Ajith Perera to WC

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reportedly told Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday that he was not ready to reappoint MP Ajith P. Perera to the Working Committee, but had no issue in giving assent to the accommodation of the other three members.

Sajith walks out of UNP WC meeting

The UNP working committee meeting yesterday ended in a stalemate following the issue on the symbol of the alliance led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to contest the next general election.