No pre-departure PCR tests for UAE-bound passengers from March 1

Fully vaccinated passengers who will be flying to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will no longer be required to obtain a pre-departure PCR test from March 1, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said

Sri Lanka bracing for major impact from Ukraine crisis

Sri Lanka is bracing for what could be a major impact to the already unstable economy as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.

Possible devastating situation averted due to COVID vaccination rollout- President

A possible catastrophic situation that could be emerged in the country has been brought under control by implementing COVID-19 vaccination programme, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lankan in Dubai wins Dh100,000 from Mahzooz

Tuan, 45, a Sri Lankan national and Dubai resident, was excited when he received a screenshot from a colleague, informing him that he had won in the latest Mahzooz Raffle Draw. He was one of the three lucky expatriates who won Dh100,000 each in the 65th weekly draw.

UN Calls for more Human Rights reforms in Sri Lanka

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is raising concerns about the lack of accountability in Sri Lanka after gross violations of human rights.

Basil’s visit to India postponed

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s visit to India has been postponed, Daily Mirror learns.

LIOC increases fuel prices again

Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has decided to increase prices of Diesel by Rs 15 per Litre and Petrol by Rs 20 per Litre with effect from midnight today.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith holds prayer service in the Vatican

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who is currently in the Vatican is to hold a prayer service at St Peter’s Square on Sunday February 27 2022, Convener of Global Forum of Easter Sunday Massacre Victims, Stephen Muller said today.

Harin, Manusha to leave for Geneva to take up Ranjan’s case

Two Samagi Jana Balawegaya MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara are to leave for Geneva on Monday February 28, 2022 to take up the case of Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is currently serving a jail sentence for contempt of Court, one of the MPs said today.

EU preparing to freeze Vladimir Putin and Sergei Lavrov’s assets, reports say

The EU is preparing to freeze the assets of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as part of a third round of sanctions against Russia, the Financial Times reports.

Ukraine conflict: Kyiv braces for Russian assault

The sound of gunfire has echoed through Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, as Russian tanks were filmed entering the city for the first time.

No power cuts at night during weekend: PUCSL Chairman

No power shedding at night during the weekend, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Keheliya responds to non-payment of electricity bill

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella responded today that he has cleared a bill amounting to Rs. 7 million but there is a disparity with figures released by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and he had on several occasions asked for clarification.

Enjoining Order preventing Nursing Trade Union from carrying out strike extended till Feb.28

The Colombo District Court today further extended its enjoining order preventing Government Nursing Officers’ Association from carrying out trade union activities causing hardships to the patients.

AG noticed on Ranil’s writ petition against PCoI recommendations

The Court of Appeal today issued notices on the Attorney General, returnable for March 2 in connection with a writ petition filed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe.

Ukrainians in SL protest in front of Russian Embassy

The Ukrainian community in Sri Lanka launched a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Colombo today against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which has plunged Europe into a turmoil.

Royal-Thomian in July

The 143rd Royal-Thomian annual cricket encounter will be played in July, the Daily Mirror learns.

Take actions to eliminate discrepancies in purchasing liquid milk: Prez

While inspecting the Milco factory in Narahenpita this morning, the President advised the responsible ministers to take immediate action to eliminate the discrepancy in the purchase of liquid milk.

Court expresses displeasure over lackadaisical attitude of police

Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Nelundeniya observed that court would not hesitate to report to the IGP, if Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau failed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the magisterial inquiry into the questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon Jennifer Ingleton.

Netherlands woman found dead in an apartment in Wellawatte

The body of a 24-year-old woman from Netherlands was discovered last night in an apartment complex in the Wellawatte area, the police said.

Elephant roams ill in Kabilitta Devalaya for several days

The elephant that roamed around the Kabilitta Devalaya in Kataragama had been ill for several days, Wildlife State Minister Wimalaweera Dissanayake said.

Public anger grows as SL plunges into severe turmoil

Public anger has grown in Sri Lanka as the government is struggling to sort the foreign exchange crisis, thereby leading to the massive power and fuel crisis, a halt in imports as well as a soaring cost of living with some terming the daily struggles as ‘unimaginable’.

SL concerned over recent escalation of violence in Ukraine

The Sri Lanka Government is deeply concerned over the recent escalation of violence in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said.

Kuda Oya Amuna sand mining permit suspended with immediate effect

The Minister of Environment, Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to immediately suspend the sand mining permit issued by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau for the removal of sand from the Kuda Oya Amuna in the Vijayabahupura Division of the Mahaweli B Zone of the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority.

Police to inquire Harin, Manusha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara are in hotwaters, as an investigation is to be conducted against them over allegedly threatening the police personnel stationed at the MPs entrance in Parliament on Thursday.

No Tsunami threat to Sri Lanka

The Disaster Management Centre today said there is no threat to Sri Lanka following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island today.

Woman arrested with links to Matugama shooting incident

A 39-year-old woman was arrested last night by the police in the Nugegoda area in connection with the shooting incident in Matugama, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Russian forces seize control of Chernobyl nuclear plant: Ukrainian official

Russian forces have seized control of the Chernobyl power plant in northern Ukraine, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, according to the agency that manages the area.

137 dead after first day of fighting: Ukraine’s President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed so far in the Russian invasion of his country. He called them ’’heroes’’ in a video address released early Friday in which he also said hundreds more have been wounded.

Foreign Ministry issues advisory to Sri Lankans living in Ukraine

In view of escalation of the situation in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry has instructed the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara, to take appropriate measures to coordinate the safe passage of the remaining Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine.