WHO declares global emergency as Wuhan Coronavirus spreads

The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on Thursday as the coronavirus outbreak spread well beyond China, where it emerged last month.

Health Ministry informs Parliament: New software to monitor tourists

The Health Ministry has informed Parliament that tourists visiting Sri Lanka especially Chinese nationals were being closely monitored through a new software in a bid to prevent the coronavirus being spread in the country.

Eighth edition of travellers map of Sri Lanka released

The Surveys Department published the eighth edition of the travellers map of Sri Lanka following a launching ceremony at the Department on Wednesday.

China unofficially raises concern over its citizens facing discrimination in SL

Chinese officials have unofficially raised concerns with the Sri Lankan government over some incidents of discrimination faced by Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka, stating that they were being turned away from public areas such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, spas and supermarkets by locals who were worried that they may be carrying the novel coronavirus, the Daily Mirror learns.

No claimant for Rs.1mn yet, says three-wheeler federation

No three-wheeler driver has yet come forward to claim the Rs. one million cash reward offered with regard the external hard drive which contained MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s telephone recordings to the Police, the National Three-Wheeler Federation said.

Govt. gives priority to end drug menace: PM

The government is taking all measures needed to end the drug menace in the country, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Chinese Envoy calls on PM, assures safety of SL students in Wuhan

Ambassador to China in Colombo Cheng Xueyuan called on Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening at Temple Trees and assured the safety of Sri Lankan students studying in Wuhan Province, China, following the new Coronavirus outbreak.

Can’t fathom reason for removal: Ajith

UNP MP Ajith P Perera yesterday said he sees no reason for the party to remove him from the working committee. Mr. Perera said he could not think of a reason as to why the party had removed him from its working committee.

Sri Lanka to probe complaint raised by Myanmar over Myan Kumara

Sri Lanka will launch an immediate probe into serious concerns raised by Myanmar after it appealed to Sri Lankan authorities to stop the abuse of the elephant it donated to a Buddhist temple six years ago.

Ranil-Sajith meeting ends in stalemate

A one-on-one meeting between UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa ended in failure on Wednesday exacerbating the internal party crisis, the Daily Mirror learns.

Ranil asserts himself as party leader

United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe reaffirmed his position in the party as its leader yesterday and refrained from reappointing some key figures such as MPs Sarath Fonseka, Ajith P. Perera and Rosy Senanayake to the working committee, the Daily Mirror learns.

Cabraal should resign, says Ajith

Ajith Nivaard Cabraal who is an adviser to the current Finance Minister should resign from his post following the disclosures made in the forensic audit report on the bond scam, a UNP MP said today.

Security forces did little to protect minority communities from Easter attack

Govt. seeks approval for Rs.130 bn

The government would seek Parliamentary approval for a supplementary estimate of Rs.130 billion when Parliament meets on February 5, to settle unpaid bills of contractors, suppliers and other entrepreneurs who have undertaken various development and reconstructions projects from the Yahapalana Government, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

China expediting SL’s request to land aircraft in Wuhan

Foreign Relations Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha today said the Chinese Government is expediting the request made for a special aircraft landing in Wuhan City which will allow the evacuation of the Sri Lankan students and their family members.

UNP Working Committee decides to continue with RW as leader

The Working Committee of the UNP today decided to continue with Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP leader, the party said.

UNP elects Sajith as UNF leader and PM candidate

The Working Committee of the UNP has elected Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa as the leader of the UNP led alliance UNF, and as the Prime Ministerial candidate of the party.

Avant Garde arms trafficking case: AG files amended indictments

Attorney General Dappula De Livera today filed amended indictments before the Trial-at-Bar in Avant Garde arms trafficking case consisting of 882 charges, AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

Forensic audit report with annexures submitted to Parliament

The Central Bank has submitted to Parliament the five complete Forensic Audit Reports together with the annexures and exhibits with regard to the CBSL bond scam, Parliament sources said today.

Husband, wife found dead in Nawinna

A man and his wife were found dead inside a business establishment at Devananda Mawatha in Nawinna today, police said.

Vouchers for school uniform and footwear valid till February 28

The Education Ministry torday said that the validity period of vouchers for school uniforms and footwear would be extended until February 28.

Sri Pada College of Education temporarily shut down due to viral fever

The National College of Education, Sri Pada has been temporarily closed down till February 5 due to an outbreak of a viral fever.

Sajith loyalists to boycott today’s UNP working committee meeting

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s loyalists have decided to boycott today’s UNP working committee meeting as a protest against the decision to sack some members from the committee.

First confirmed coronavirus case reported in India

India has reported its first confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Kerala. The patient is a student studying in Wuhan University, China.

Rosy, Imtiaz also removed from UNP working committee

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake and former minister Imtiaz Bakir Makar were sacked from the UNP Working Committee last night, UNP MP Harsha de Silva said in a twitter post.

China approves charter flights to bring home Wuhan tourists

China’s Aviation Authority has approved chartered flights to bring home from overseas trips some residents of the central city of Wuhan, the site of an epidemic caused by a new virus, state television said on Thursday.

Three arrested with 192kgs of heroin, 10 pistols, 10 magazines

Three persons including two females were arrested with 192 kgs of heroin, 10 pistols and 10 magazines, Police Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne said.

Google temporarily shutting down all China offices

Alphabet Inc’s Google said on Wednesday it is temporarily shutting down all its offices in China due to the outbreak of a new coronavirus in the country.

UNP to sack SF, Ajith from working committee

The United National Party (UNP) has decided to sack its Kalutara District MP Ajith P. Perera and National List MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka from the party’s working committee on the grounds of violating party discipline, sources said.

UNP working committee meets today

UNP working committee will meet today at Sirikotha to decide on the future course of action by the party, its General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.