Decline in Chinese shipments following coronavirus outbreak

Shipments arriving from China at the Colombo Port, have taken a hit following the novel coronavirus outbreak with many local businesses unable to get through to their shippers in China while some have even re-sent their shipments back in fear after they arrived at the Colombo Port, an authoritative source told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

A group of SLFPers to join new alliance: UNP

A group of SLFPers will join the new alliance which will be led by Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, a UNP parliamentarian said yesterday.

China thanks world leaders including Gota for the support

The Chinese Government thanked world leaders including Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the support rendered during the new Coronavirus outbreak in China.

President gifts Ceylon Black Tea to Coronavirus affected in China

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday gifted a consignment of Ceylon Black Tea to Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan to be sent to those affected by the Coronavirus in his country.

Coronavirus brought under control in SL: Health Minister

While China struggles to prevent a further spread of the novel coronavirus epidemic and the number of related deaths in that country to the minimum possible, Sri Lanka has been successful to restrict the 2019n-COV infections to a single patient and preempt the disease in its tracks, Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniaarachchi said today.

Govt. to take over Smart Card driving licence project

Transport Service Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today the project involving the issuance of Smart Card driving licence would be taken over by the government within three months.

NPC appoints DIG Lionel Gunathilake as STF Commandant

The National Police Commission has approved to appoint DIG Lionel Gunathilake as the new Commandant of the Special Task Force of Police (STF).

Govt. should recover $98 million from Airbus Company: Eran

The incumbent Government should take steps to recover $98 million from Airbus paid by the Yahapalana Government as cancellation fees for returning four A350 in 2016, UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne said today.

JVP asks govt. if legal action will be taken against suspects

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today questioned the government whether steps would be taken to officially obtain reports revealed in a British court disclosing an incident where a SriLankan Airline’s former CEO’s wife obtaining bribes from the French aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

Public Finance Committee says no to VAT reduction

The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance has refused to grant mandate for the order in which reduction of VAT to 8 percent was introduced by the new government.

Gota has his style of governance: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today President Gotabaya Rajapaksa takes the full responsibility of Cabinet decisions and government’s performance and therefore would prefer to personally chair all cabinet meetings.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife remanded

SriLankan Airlines former CEO Kapila Chandrasena and wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayaka were remanded till February 19 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Indian ship arrives in SL for hydrographic survey

The Indian hydrographic survey ship Jamuna called at the Colombo Port today for hydrographic survey in Sri Lanka, the Navy said.

SL should increase participation in int’l military affairs: Russia

While admiring the contribution made by Sri Lanka in joint efforts against international terrorism, the visiting Russian General Oleg Salyukov on Thursday requested Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to increase the participation of Sri Lankan military personnel in international military affairs.

Galle Face Road closed

The Galle Face Road has been temporarily closed due to a protest carried out by the members of the All Island Dengue Prevention Collective, police said.

Chinese envoy briefs Speaker on coronavirus

Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan briefed Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on the prevailing situation regarding the coronavirus epidemic in China and the steps taken by the Chinese Government and authorities to curb spread of the virus.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife arrested

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena and his wife were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) a short while ago after they surrendered to the CID, police said.

Body of sergeant found with injuries

The body of a police sergeant attached to the Valachchenai was recovered with injuries at Mullamunai in Vavunathivu this morning, Police Media Division said.

Senate acquits Trump in historic vote as re-election campaign looms

President Donald Trump was acquitted on Wednesday in his U.S. Senate impeachment trial, saved by fellow Republicans who rallied to protect him nine months before he asks voters in a deeply divided America to give him a second White House term, Reuters reports.

Ranil-Sajith standoff widens despite reconciliation efforts

The United National Party (UNP) continues to face a major split despite the working committee reaching a compromise last week to appoint opposition leader Sajith Premadasa as head of the new UNF alliance and its prime ministerial candidate, and Ranil Wickremesinghe to continue as the UNP leader.

Indian cabinet approves India-Sri Lanka Alliance Air flights

The Union Cabinet has granted ex-post facto dispensation to Alliance Air, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Air India, to fly on international sectors between India and Sri Lanka.

Sajith decides changing name of present alliance?

The UNP faction led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has decided to legally establish the proposed political alliance with the like-minded parties by changing the name of a political party which is functional at the moment, Daily Mirror learns.

Legislative support key to economic turnaround: PM

Making a special statement in Parliament yesterday, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said the support of the legislature was needed to stabilise the economy that suffered a setback due to unsettled bills by the previous regime.

Kin of S. Mahinda Thera visits SL

The grandnephew of S. Mahinda Thera of Tibet, Dr. T.R. Gyasto of Gangtok, visited the temple of Sri Sudharmaramaya Maha Bellana in Alubomulla on National Independence Day, to pay homage to his granduncle.

Dedicated areas allocated for protests in Colombo

A separate area has been allocated outside the presidential secretariat in close proximity to the Galle Face Green for protestors to carry out protests and demonstrations, police said.

Ranjan among members elected to COPE

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya yesterday announced the names of the new members who were appointed to two main Parliamentary Committees; the Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Committee On Public Accounts (COPA). UNP MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is presently in remand prison has also been appointed as a member of the COPE representing the opposition.

15 Lankans under medical surveillance

While the death toll from the deadly coronavirus outbreak climbed toward 500 in the world and confirmed cases worldwide reach 25,000, 15 Sri Lankans were still under medical observation in various parts of the country, Senior Epidemiologist, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said today.

Speaker presents forensic audit annexures to Parliament

The annexures of the forensic audit conducted on the bond scam was presented to Parliament by Speaker Karu Jayasuyriya today.

Cabraal calls for independent CID probe on Bond scandal

Senior economic advisor to Prime Minister, Ajith Nivard Cabraal said he would make a request to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to initiate an independent Police inquiry on the Central Bank bond scam in early 2015 and dealings in the bond market between 2010 – 2014 period.

E-Ticketing system for Yala National Park launched

While introducing a fast ticket issuing system for tourists and the local community, the Wildlife Conservation Department launched an online E-Ticketing system for Yala National Park.