Deepening fuel crisis; No schools next week too

The Education Ministry has decided to declare next week (July 4 to July 8) as a holiday week for all government and state-approved private schools owing to the current fuel crisis.

Four fuel shipments to reach SL this month

Four fuel shipments including three diesel shipments are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka this month, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Parliament sessions limited to 3-days due to fuel crisis

The Essential Public Services Act will be approved by Parliament without debate on Wednesday, the Parliament media unit said today.

Another 51 persons attempting to migrate to Australia illegally arrested

Fifty-one people who were suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country were taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy during a search operation carried out in the eastern seas this morning.

Low-lying area residents of Gin Ganga warned of possible floods

The Irrigation Department requested the residents who are living in the low-lying areas of Gin Ganga and the motorists driving through those areas to be extremely vigilant of possible minor floods.

US Senate says IMF agreement with SL must depend on key reforms

The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee said yesterday that any IMF agreement with Sri Lanka must be contingent on independence of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, strong anti-corruption measures, and promotion of the rule of law.

SLTDA Chairman complains to IGP over incident involving a Police Officer and a tourist

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) yesterday lodged a complaint with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over an incident involving a Police Officer and a tourist at the petrol shed in Galle on Friday.

Update: Jackson Anthony hospitalised

Three persons including popular Sinhala cinema artiste Jackson Anthony were injured after the cab they were travelling in, hit a wild elephant at Thalawa in Anuradhapura.

16 Sri Lankans let out of Special Camp in Tiruchi

Sixteen Sri Lankan Tamils, lodged at the Special Camp in Tiruchi, were allowed to go home on Saturday on the condition that they would continue to face trial in the cases booked against them, while residing outside the camp.

LIOC says three ships carrying fuel due here

Three ships containing petrol and diesel are scheduled to reach Sri Lanka, the Lanka IOC said.

Two soldiers, two Airmen arrested over Kandakadu inmate’s death

Two Sergeant grade officers of the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Air Force were arrested in connection with the death of an inmate at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre.

Vatican paying close attention to Sri Lanka

Vatican is closely following the current situation in Sri Lanka and on the developments pertaining to investigations on the Easter Sunday attacks, it is learnt.

CPC quizzed why fuel shipment not ordered before July 22 as fuel runs out

The senior management of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has been quizzed by the President and Finance Ministry as to why a fuel shipment has not been ordered before July 22 even after being informed that the funds are ready to be released by the treasury, the Daily Mirror learns.

Customs seize Rs.60mn worth booze, fags, cosmetics sent from abroad

A large stock of foreign spirits worth of Rs.60 million accompanied with cosmetics, turmeric and cigarettes sent in several large UPBS (Unaccompanied Passenger Baggage) from Dubai seized by the Sri Lanka Customs were exposed to the media yesterday.

Govt. to offer Rs.7,500 allowance to worst-hit citizens from WB, ADB fund

In a bid to support the people from the worsening economic crisis that has made it challenging to access food, fuel and gas, the government yesterday said it is gearing up to provide a fresh round of assistance to those severely impacted.

BOI launches five-year residence visa to entice foreign investors

In an effort to step up the nation’s game in luring in foreign direct investments (FDI), Sri Lanka’s investment promotion agency, the Board of Investment (BOI), launched yesterday the five-year residence visa programme dedicated to investors.

Litro gas denies statements regarding salary scale

Litro Gas Lanka, Sri Lanka’s national LPG provider, yesterday denied the statements making rounds on social media, regarding its salary structure.

Sri Lanka seeks assistance from Kerala in India

The Governor focused on possible education, technical and scientific collaborations between Kerala and Sri Lankan Universities

Woman jumps into Chandrika Wewa with two sons

A 32-year old woman and her 5 year-old son died when she jumped into the Chandrika Wewa in Embilipitiya with her two sons, police said.

CEB warns over delays in restoring power outages due to fuel crisis

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said there could be some delays in restoring the supply of electricity following outages due to fuel crisis.

Consular Affairs Division to be open on all weekdays from Monday

Considering the heavy demand for Consular Services and in order to provide for the public needs in this regard, the Consular Affairs Division will be open to the public on all weekdays, Monday to Friday commencing July 04, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Japan says closely paying attention to SL’s difficult economic situation, ready to assist

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki said that Japan is ready to provide continuous support to Sri Lanka while strengthening relations between the two countries, for Sri Lanka’s economic program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and for the development activities of the country.

Deployment of army personnel to disperse Galle Fort protest: Two lawyers file FR petition

Two lawyers today filed a Fundamental Rights violation petition in Supreme Court challenging the legality of the deployment of Army personnel to forcefully disperse a peaceful protest at the ramparts of the Galle Fort on last Wednesday (29).

Mervyn Silva joins SLFP

Former Minister Mervyn Silva has obtained membership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today.

Railway workers begin lightning strike

Railway guards and engine drivers have launched a lightning strike, Railway Trade Unions said.

Tense situation at Fort Railway Station

Railway staff at the Fort Railway Station has decided to temporarily stay away from duties as railway authorities have failed to resolve a tense situation which arose at the station, Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters Union said.

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in Galle

Spinner Nathan Lyon starred with a match haul of nine wickets as Australia wrapped up the opening Test on Friday with a crushing victory over Sri Lanka before lunch on the third day.

22 trains cancelled; No fuel for railway guards to report for duty

Reports reaching that 22 trains, including office and intercity trains scheduled for today have been cancelled as railway guards were unable to report to work due to lack of fuel, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

Mathews subbed out after positive COVID test

Sri Lanka veteran ruled out of the first Test on the morning of day three and replaced by Oshada Fernando after testing positive to COVID-19

Tourism associations told to discuss directly with financial institutions for moratorium extension

As the moratorium extended to the hard-hit tourism sector came to an end yesterday, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) requested trade associations to initiate one-to-one discussions with financial institutions for possible extension of the moratorium.