Accelerate vaccination rollout to combat COVID pandemic: Health Minister

As there is an escalation in the COVID pandemic spread in the country, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella advised the officials to accelerate the vaccination programme to control the situation.

Register with Fuel Pass Portal, avoid using illegal means to get fuel: ICTA director

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) today requested the public to register with the new Fuel Pass System as early as they can, and not to misuse the system to obtain fuel by illegal means.

First person who forcibly entered President’s Secretariat remanded till Aug. 5

The first person, who forcibly entered the Presidential Secretariat on July 9 was remanded till August 5 after being produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate.

PS member shot dead in Mulleriyawa

A SLPP member of the Kotikawatte-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha has been shot dead following a shooting incident at Mulleriyawa this evening, police sources said.

7 COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of seven COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (1) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today.

Yupun Abeykoon qualifies for CWG semis, fastest in 100m heats

Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon produced an excellent performance to win Heat 6 of the Men’s 100m event at the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England today.

Do not enter Expressway without sufficient fuel to reach destination

The Expressway Operation Maintenance and Management Division has issued a special notice for all motorists who use the expressway amid the ongoing fuel crisis.

President Wickremesinghe cannot be discharged from the proceedings of Easter Sunday attack petitions- Cardinal

The application made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he be discharged from the proceedings in connection with the twelve Fundamental Rights petitions filed over Easter Sunday attacks should be dismissed by Supreme Court, Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

Two Lankans go missing from Commonwealth Games

A Sri Lankan athlete and a senior official have gone missing after the fifth day’s events of the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England on Tuesday.

Nimal Siripala de Silva appointed as Minister

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Nimal Siripala de Silva has been appointed as the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Services by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

President appoints Saman Ratnapriya as Trade Union Director General

Chairman of the Government Nurses Association Saman Ratnapriya has been appointed as the Director General of Trade Union by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

SJB will support properly formed all party govt.: Marikkar

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will support a multi party or an all party government if it is properly formed and an acceptable program is pursued to revive the present crisis faced by the nation today, an MP representing the party said today.

Over 3kgs gold, 39 iPhones recovered from six passengers at BIA

Six passengers returning from Dubai had been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Katunayake airport with 3.1 kgs of gold jewellery and 39 iPhones which they attempted to smuggle without paying customs duties today.

Govt to facilitate electric vehicle imports by migrant workers to attract remittances

The government has given approval for two proposals made by Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara to promote migrant worker remittance.

Fr. Jeewantha Peiris files FR to prevent imminent arrest

Fr. Jeewantha Peiris today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order preventing police and tri-forces from arresting him regarding Galle Face protest incidents.

Revision to Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act approved

The Cabinet Ministers have approved the revision of the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act that requires parental consent for the marriage of a minor and to remove the existing non-conformities.

Karnataka HC issues notices to Centre, Karnataka Govt over ’detention’ of SL citizens in prison

The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the union and state government over the alleged detention of Sri Lankan citizens in the central prison at Parappana Agrahara in Bangalore, India.

Circular issued on Friday closure of govt. offices annulled

The circular issued directing all government offices to function only for four days a week and declaring Fridays as holidays, has been annulled with immediate effect, as public transport is being normalised.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa ‘not accorded any privileges’ in S’pore: MFA

Singapore’s foreign minister said yesterday that former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not being accorded any privileges or immunity in Singapore.

Bus fare revision not pragmatic by lowering price of diesel by Rs. 10: Gemunu

With the recent auto diesel price reduced by Rs. 10, it is not practical to give a concession to the people. If so, even the people would treat this as a comedy, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Six including 5-year old child drown

At least six persons including a 5-year-old child drown during three separate incidents yesterday in Polpitiya, Nawalapitiya and Hatton.

Water level in reservoirs satisfactory, but not sufficient: Irrigation Dept.

Though the onset of heavy monsoonal rains, water levels in the reservoirs are yet to reach the sufficient level for hydropower generation, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said.

Three youth arrested over setting Ranil’s private residence ablaze

Three suspects have been arrested bt the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over the incident of setting fire to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence in Colombo on July 9.

US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone strike in Afghanistan

The United States killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike, President Joe Biden said Monday in a speech from the White House.

Ceylon Tea named as Official Tea Supplier for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Ceylon Tea, widely considered by many as the finest in the world and with a rich history dating back more than a century and a half, has been named as the Official Tea Supplier for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

First Kumbal Perahera to parade streets of Kandy tonight

The first Kumbal Perahera in the Kandy Esala festival will parade the streets of Kandy tonight (02).

Tourism sector to get dedicated fuel distribution centres to ensure steady supply

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is in the midst of establishing 10 sites to disburse fuel exclusively to the tourism sector stakeholders, an effort taken toward improving the current distribution system.

SLCP sounds warning signals of a health emergency

Whilst claiming that the risk of COVID transmission has increased exponentially, Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians (SLCP) yesterday called for proper health precautions including wearing masks.

Closely monitoring ‘fast-moving situation’ in SL - UK

The UK government said that it is ‘closely monitoring the fast-moving situation, including the recent appointment of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe as President’ in Sri Lanka.

Outward labour migration in 1H tops 2021 full-year figure

Sri Lanka’s outward labour migration in the first half of 2022 surpassed the 2021 full-year figure amid the prevailing deep economic and political crisis in the country.