Limited fuel supply from CPC creates fuel scarcity: CPC union

There is a shortage of fuel at Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) filling stations due to the limited supply of fuel, CPC Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha said.

Post mortem PCR not mandatory for all deaths: Health Ministry

Performing post mortem PCR is not mandatory for all deaths, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said.

Disco-King Bappi Lahiri passes away at 69

Singer-composer Bappi Lahiri passed away on Wednesday. He was ailing for some time and died at CritiCare Hospital in Juhu, Mumbai, due to Obstructive Sleep Apnea. He was 69.

Cabinet to be briefed on IMF staff report on Lankan economy next week

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is scheduled to brief the Cabinet of Ministers next week on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff report on the country’s economy.

Oil prices hold steady as Russia-Ukraine tensions cool

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday after retreating more than 3% in the previous session as investors gauged the impact of easing Russia-Ukraine tension against a taut balance between tight global supplies and recovering fuel demand.

Don’t create racial, religious divisions in the country: Mano Ganeshan

Parliamentarian Mano Ganesan yesterday requested the government not to divide the country based on race and religion, if the country truly adopts the ’One country, One law’ policy.

Gunmen kills woman in Matugama: Husband survives

A 38-year old woman was shot dead when two unidentified gunmen opened fire at a house in Matugama last night.

State Minister Nimal Lanza to resign?

State Ministry of Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza said he had been hamstrung in the discharge of duties due to the impractical approach by Ministry Secretary Prof. Ranjith Dissanayake, and therefore he decided to stay away from ministerial duties.

SJB urges Govt. to submit report issued by UNHCR Chief

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today urged the government to submit the report issued by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Sri Lanka’s human rights situation to Parliament and to allow a debate on it.

Lawsuits claiming compensations over Easter Sunday attacks: Maithri files appeal

Former President Maithripala Sirisena has filed an appeal petition at Colombo Civil Appellate High Court challenging the District Court’s decision to reject his request that he be discharged from several civil lawsuits filed by the victims of Easter Sunday attacks.

SC seeks status report from IGP over investigations against Lohan Ratwatte

The Supreme Court today directed the IGP to file a status report in a Fundamental Rights petition filed against the alleged criminal conduct on the part of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte at Anuradhapura prison.

Seek medical advice if fever lasts for more than 48 hours

As Omicron, Dengue & Virus Flu can be visible spreading in society, the health authorities have advised people to seek immediate medical treatment if fever lasts for more than 48 hours.

Former Uva Province Chief Minister acquitted

Parliamentarian and former Chief Minister of Uva Province Chamara Dassanayake who stood charged with forcibly kneeling down before him a principal of a government school, was today acquitted by the Badulla Magistrate Chaminda Karunadewa.

’White van culture’ raises its head again: NPP Lawyers

The government is trying to introduce ’white van culture’ once again to suppress the social media activists and critics who express their opinions against the government by using the CID and state powers, Lawyers for National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said today.

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets to clinch series

Australia on Tuesday defeated Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the third T20I at the Manuka Oval in Canberra and took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

No scheduled power cuts for next three months: PUCSL

The new methodology adopted by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will not lead to scheduled power cuts for the next three months, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

Sri Lanka receives 100,000 RAT Kits from India

Sri Lanka has received a consignment of 100,000 Rapid Antigen Test Kits from India.

SC grants leave to proceed with FR petition against Sirisena’s Paget Road residence

The Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to allow former President Maithripala Sirisena to continuous use of the residence currently used by him at Paget Road.

Local church with Vatican planning action behind closed doors: Cardinal

A course of action to mete out justice to those affected by the Easter Sunday Bomb attacks is being organized by the Sri Lankan Catholic Church together with the Vatican behind closed doors, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Health workers’ strike suspended for 14 days

The trade union action launched by 18 trade unions attached to the health sector has been temporarily called off after nine days.

Customs seizes Rs.9mn worth Kush cannabis, ecstasy pills from CME

Officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotic Control Unit today seized five packs of Kush cannabis and 302 ecstasy pills with a street value of nearly Rs.9 million from the Central Mail Exchange (CME), Colombo, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

IOC provides 40,000MT of fuel to SL

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka today handed 40,000MT fuel shipment from Indian Oil Company (IOC) to Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila.

Court grants bail to activist Shehan Malaka Gamage

Civil activist, Shehan Malaka Gamage arrested over a statement he had made on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks during a press conference was today ordered to be released on bail after being produced before Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court.

SL envoy in South Africa seeks support of Southern African Countries at UNHRC

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to South Africa, Siresena Amarasekara held several meetings with government officials of South Africa and envoys of countries accredited to South Africa to discuss the achievements made by Sri Lanka in matters on human rights, focusing on the upcoming UNHCR sessions and recognizing the importance of the African region where the countries have emerged as a cohesive group of nations.

EPF and ETF will not be subjected to 25% Surcharge Tax: Basil

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday assured the Cabinet that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) and nine other funds will be exempted from the one-time tax surcharge of 25% as proposed in the 2022 Budget.

Cabinet nod for supplying essential consumer goods to market without shortage

The cabinet ministers have approved the measures taken by the President to ensure essential consumer goods are supplied to the market without shortage.

Non-motor systems should be integrated with existing transport systems: Govt.

The cabinet ministers have identified that non-motor systems should be integrated with existing transport systems to maximize economic and environmental benefits.

Omicron kills; Take your boosters - Health experts warn

The rapidly spreading Omicron variant can be fatal if people fail to take their COVID-19 vaccines and the booster doses which are now available to all those above the age of 20 years, health experts warned yesterday.

Big loss for Sri Lanka ahead of must-win T20I against Australia

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has tested positive for COVID-19.

Wanted criminal ’Parippuwa’ in STF net

An organized criminal and drug trafficker known as Manawaduge Asanka Maduranga alias ’Parippuwa’ has been arrested by the Special Task Force during a special operation.