Don’t queue up for petrol next three- four days: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera today requested people not to queue up for petrol next three-four days.

General election could be held if no other option remains: Harsha

A general election could be held if that is the only option available to bring political stability, Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) MP Harsha De Silva said today.

SLBFE warns people of scammers promising foreign employments

Claiming that some scammers were defrauding money from people promising them foreign employments, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employments (SLBFE) warned people seeking foreign employments to be cautious of such scams.

Liyoni Kotelawala passes away

Veteran actress Liyoni Kotelawala has passed away this morning at the age of 78.

Army clarifies on Vishwamadu incident: Three soldiers injured

The Army said that yesterday’s incident at a fuel station in Vishwamadu was a deliberate attempt by some suspicious elements to sabotage the goodwill and the cooperation that prevail between members of the Security Forces and the general public.

Police to use minimal force against violence near petrol sheds

The Ministry of Public Security has instructed the police to use minimal force against those who behave violently near filling stations and during protests.

Shots fired into air as tension flared up in Vishwamadu

A tension flared up near a fuel station in Vishwamadu between a group of people and soldiers.

Suspect killed when police officer’s pistol discharged during raid in Neluwa

One person was killed when a firearm of a police officer had discharged during a raid in a house in Neluwa, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

China-built Norochcholai Coal Power Plant requires feasible approach to avoid frequent shutdowns

The Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant, more commonly known as the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) is a 900-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station located in the village of Narakkalli and Penaiyadi near Norochcholai, within Puttalam District, on the West Coast of the Kalpitiya Peninsula.

Licences of three fuel trucks suspended

Following illegal fuel pumping video footages circulated on social media, the licenses of three fuel trucks have been suspended, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Schools in main cities to be closed for a week

All government and government-approved private schools in Colombo city limits as well as schools in other main cities in the other provinces will be closed during the next week, the Education Ministry said.

Youth dies after getting jammed between train and platform

A 23-year old young man died after having fallen from a moving train at the Matara railway station last night.

Rice must be sold under controlled price from tonight: Dudley Sirisena

All rice varieties should be sold under the government approved controlled price from tonight, the President of Rice Millers Association Dudley Sirisena said today.

Unanimous support on need to stand with Lanka in difficult time, says S. Jaishankar Indian External

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on June 18 chaired a parliamentary consultative committee meeting on the situation in Sri Lanka and said there was ’’unanimous support’’ on the need to stand with the neighbouring country in this difficult time.

Website to check fuel availability shut down temporarily

The official website (fuel.gov.lk) of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has been temporarily shut down.

Online education for schools in Colombo City limits next week: Ministry

A school holiday has been announced for all government and government approved private schools in the Colombo city limits next week, the Education Ministry Secretary said.

Sapugaskanda may shut down if govt. unable to bring crude oil shipment: Union

If the government is unable to bring a crude oil shipment, there is a possibility of shutting down the Sapugaskanda refinery after June 23, the Petroleum General Employees Union President Ashoka Ranwala said.

Cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists to limit operations from Monday

The cardiac surgeons and cardiac anesthesiologists at national hospitals have claimed that they have decided to curtail several operations from Monday (20) due to the shortage of drugs and consumables and the fuel crisis.

Discussions underway over online schooling for students

A special discussion is being held at the Education Ministry today regarding the continuation of school activities due to the current situation.

Financial losses loom for Sri Lanka apparel sector

The export earnings in Sri Lanka’s clothing sector for the June to August period are set to fall by 20-25 percent, with the sector likely to miss the US $ 6 billion export target for the year, as the country’s political and economic crisis continues unabated.

Sri Lanka should have gone to IMF sooner, says Central Bank Governor

Sri Lanka could have avoided its current economic turmoil if it had gone to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout sooner, the country’s Central Bank Governor says.

Prevailing crisis situation led to closure of Peradeniya University

Peradeniya University will be closed from today due to the present deepening crisis situation, Vice Chancellor Prof. M. D. Lamawansa said.

Six cops injured in Athurugiriya petrol shed clash: Nine arrested

Nine persons including a woman have been arrested in connection with an incident that took place near a filling station in Athurugiriya, police said.

WB expects SL economy to contract by 7.8% in 2022

The World Bank (WB) expects Sri Lanka’s economy to contract by 7.8 percent in the year 2022, a grim outlook, due to the country battling with severe shortages in electricity, food and fuel.

Amarasekera and Weerasinghe to head several listed firms of Dhammika Perera

President’s Counsel Harsha Amarasekera and businessman A.M. Weerasinghe have been chosen to fill the shoes of business magnate Dhammika Perera in several listed entities.

Court orders nine suspects including ’Ratta’ arrested

The Fort Magistrate yesterday ordered police to arrest nine suspects, including Rathindu Senaratne alias ’Ratta’, Wasantha Mudalige and Lahiru Weerasekara for being part of the violent incidents at Fort and Talangama on June 6 and 9 and produce them before courts.

COPA instructs to prepare 10-year Economic Development Plan

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has directed the Department of External Resources to prepare a specific 10-year Economic Development Plan aimed at the economic development of the country and to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the same.

Negombo Hospital murder case CA affirms death sentence for the Doctor

The appeal filed by Indika Sudarshana - the doctor who was convicted, was dismissed

Food crisis likely to affect around four to five million people - PM

A committee headed by Parliamentarian Nimal Lansa to be appointed to look into mitigation efforts of food crisis

Aeroflot willing to resume flights to Colombo if SL gives assurance

Russia-based carrier Aeroflot is willing to resume flight operations to Sri Lanka if the government assures that its aircrafts will not be detained again, an official said. Sri Lanka