Hotline introduced for information on Coronavirus

The Health Ministry today introduced a 24-hour hotline to obtain information on new Coronavirus. Accordingly, people can contact the health officials via 0710 107 107 or 011 307 1073 to get information on the virus.

Students from China to be moved to Diyathalawa for observation

All Sri Lankan students arriving from Wuhan, China would be moved to the Diyathalawa Army Camp for a two-week quarantine for any coronavirus symptoms, the Health Ministry said.

New coronavirus death toll climbs to 106 in China

At least 106 people have died from the new coronavirus in China and the cases of newly infected in the country have almost doubled, BBC reported today.

Visitors prohibited from entering BIA

Airport and Aviation Services of Sri Lanka has announced that all visitors except the passengers have been prohibited from entering the Banadaranaike International Airport (BIA) premises from 6 am today until further notice, in order to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019.

SL stops On-arrival-visas for Chinese travellers

Issuing of ‘On arrival visas’ for tourists from China has been suspended with immediate effect, due to the current coronavirus situation, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

New recruits likely to be announced during next p’mentary week

The names of new members to the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) are likely to be announced by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya during the next parliamentary week commencing on February 5, a member of the selections committee said yesterday.

Lakdhanavi commissions another power plant in Bangladesh

Lakdhanavi, a Colombo-based company investing in power infrastructure, had another success story when it commissioned its third 150 megawatt power plant in Bangladesh.

Hindus in SL not facing persecution like in Pak, AF, Desh: RSS

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) Sarkaryavah (general secretary) Suresh (Bhaiyaji) Joshi said the Hindus of Sri Lanka are not facing any persecution problems like those in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Joshi is no. 2 in RSS hierarchy after Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat.

Mahendran, Cabraal should both be arrested, tried: UNP

Former Central Bank (CB) Governors Arjuna Mahendran and Ajith Nivard Cabraal should be arrested and tired in court as the forensic audit reveals that the bond scam had taken place from 2005 onwards and continued even after 2015, UNP MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena told a press conference held yesterday.

Afghan plane crash: US jet comes down in Taliban territory

The US military has confirmed one of its planes crashed in eastern Afghanistan on Monday.

50 SL students return home from China

The Medical Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake said that 50 Sri Lankan students who were studying in China returned in two flights Monday evening.

Prez calls the shots on defence, nat’l security: Bandula

As the Head of State, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the authority and clout to take any decision on defence matters or national security and also to give orders to the armed forces and the police, Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Sajith will spearhead new alliance comprising UNP: Thushara

At the upcoming general elections, opposition leader Sajith Premadasa will lead a new alliance comprising the UNP and several newly-established parties as UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has indicated that he would not lead any election in the future, UNP MP Thushara Indunil Amarasena told a press conference held today.

MCC expert committee seeks public opinion

The committee of experts appointed to study the MCC compact and make recommendations has decided to seek public opinion over the agreement, the Prime Minister’s Office said today.

Chinese woman at IDH tested positive for coronavirus

A 43 year-old female Chinese national who arrived in Sri Lanka from Hubei, China has been tested positive for the new coronavirus yesterday making her the first case of positive coronavirus reported in Sri Lanka.

MR will contest only from Kurunegala: GL

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will contest the upcoming general elections from the Kurunegala District just like he did at previous general election, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris said today.

21 Sri Lankan students leave China

Sri Lankan students studying in China are now returning from China and according to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing, a group of 21 students had left for Sri Lanka this afternoon, President’s Media Division said.

Passenger plane carrying 83 people crashes in Afghanistan

A passenger plane from Afghanistan’s Ariana Airlines crashed Monday in a Taliban-held area of Ghazni province, local officials said.

PCoI informs AG to suspend cases against Karannagoda, Dassanayake

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe into the alleged political victimization of Public Servants, has advised the Attorney General (AG) to suspend the examination of cases involving former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and former Navy Spokesman D.K.P. Dassanayake.

I was politically victimised: Former Magistrate Thilina Gamage

Colombo High Court Judge Gihan Kulatunga today discontinued the hearing of the trial against former Magistrate Thilina Gamage as the Court of Appeal issued an order staying proceedings of the High Court for two days.

CID grilled Rajitha

Former Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to give a statement over the controversial “White Van” media conference.

Passengers from China screened separately at BIA

The passengers arriving from China are being screened through a separate terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) as a precautionary measure, BIA sources said.

Four suspicious cases of Corona virus reports negative: MRI

Director of the Medical Research Institute Dr Jayaruwan Bandara said that the test reports of four patients admitted to the IDH in Colombo on suspicion of Corona Virus infection, had confirmed negative.

Death toll rises to 80 as China extends holiday

The number of people killed in China by the coronavirus has risen to 80, with almost 3,000 confirmed ill.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to a protest march carried out by unemployed graduates, police said.

Basketball great Bryant dies in helicopter crash

US basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna are among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in the city of Calabasas, California.

Next meeting last chance: Ranil

Former General Secretary of the United National Party, Tissa Attanayake has taken the responsibility of arranging a meeting between UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya.

No restrictions for travelers to visit SL: Foreign Ministry

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday said that there were no restrictions on issuing visas to Chinese travelers to Sri Lanka, but the Daily Mirror learns that all those arriving from the areas affected by the coronavirus will have a special mark on their ETA so that they will be subjected to quarantine upon their arrival.

Vulnerable people warned as poor air quality looms in Colombo

Vulnerable people are advised to be mindful of the unhealthy air quality expected in the Colombo area in the coming days especially on January 28, 29 and 30 the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Air Quality Unit Senior Scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said.

Debate on forensic audit report on Feb. 18, 19

The political party leaders have decided to have a two-day debate on February 18 and 19 on the forensic audit report regarding the Central Bank bond scam.