Will have to take tough decisions regarding power issue: Namal

The Cabinet and the Minister of Power will have to take tough decisions regarding renewable energy and power supply and ensure they do not bring crisis in the future, Minister Namal Rajapaksa said.

Paracetamol usage increased by 275% due to triple threat: Prof. Jayasumana

Because of the triple threat of Omicron, dengue, and viral flu in society, the demand for paracetamol pills has increased by 275 percent in the last three weeks, State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana said.

SC observes several clauses inconsistent with Constitution: Speaker

The Supreme Court has observed that several clauses of the proposed Special Goods and Services Bill are inconsistent with several sections of the constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene informed Parliament today.

Fmr Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Vipula Gunatilleka appointed as Jet Airways CFO

Former Sri Lankan Airlines CEO Vipula Gunatilleka has been named as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Indian international airline Jet Airways by the new promoters Jalan Kalrock Consortium.

Fuel prices to rise further; purchase three fuel shipments at ports: Ranil tells govt.

Whilst stating that Russia’s entry into Ukraine will adversely affect Sri Lanka, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said fuel and LNG prices were set to increase further in the global market.

President urgently convenes cabinet today to discuss financial crisis

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has urgently convened a cabinet meeting today to discuss the financial crisis facing the country as well as the fuel and power issues, a senior government source told Daily Mirror last night.

Putin orders Russian troops to Ukraine after recognising breakaway regions

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the deployment of troops to two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognising them as independent on Monday, accelerating a crisis the West fears could unleash a major war.

Gazettes on maintaining public order & declaring supply of electricity as essential service, issued again

An Extraordinary gazette notification has been issued calling upon the armed forces to maintain public order across the country with effect from today (22).

Sri Lanka seeks $35 mn to pay for urgent diesel imports

Sri Lanka is trying to arrange a payment of $35 million for a shipment of 40,000 tonnes of diesel with just a few days of stocks left, the energy minister said on Monday, warning of a looming fuel shortage as foreign exchange runs short.

Central Bank refuses US Dollars to CPC without rupees

Triggering further uncertainty on a possible fuel shortage in the country , the Central Bank said it could not release foreign exchange to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation ( CPC) without getting the rupee component for it.

Basil wants local govt. polls, ministers shoot it down amidst crisis

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who has strengthened his power in the present government since taking over his new portfolio has called for local government elections to be held first so that the SLPP could strengthen itself at grassroot level, but this request has been shot down by other senior ministers who said the government is not ready for an election amidst burning issues.

Present Omicron situation not threatening: Health authorities

While saying that people have started to show a great enthusiasm in getting the booster dose of COVID-19, the health authorities said the COVID-19 or Omicron situation at present is not threatening.

Ferry transport from Battaramulla Diyatha Uyana to Port City via Wellawatte: Madura Vithanage

It is intended to commence a passenger transport service by ferry from Battaramulla Diyatha Uyana to Port City via Wellawatte and the necessary preliminary work has already been underway, Colombo District Parliamentarian Madura Vithanage said.

Police provides security to journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema

Action has been taken to provide adequate security to the area where Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema resides, police said.

Lankans advised to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine

The Foreign Ministry requests all Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine to exercise vigilance and to be in contact with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara, as the Sri Lankan government is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine in the context of recent developments.

China a genuine friend attaching no strings to ties with SL: Wimal

Industry Minister Wimal Weerawansa said he considered China a purely genuine friend of Sri Lanka because it never attached political strings when extending support.

SL High Commission in Pretoria to Popularize Jackfruit Cultivation in South Africa

The High Commission of Sri Lanka in South Africa has submitted a concept paper to UNICEF and FAO in South Africa highlighting the benefits of growing jackfruit in southern African countries as a solution to hunger.

PUCSL approves power shedding for tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted permission for scheduled power outages for tomorrow (22) in response to a request from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) today.

UNP urges for probe on Shani Abeysekara’s disclosures

The United National Party (UNP) today called for a fresh probe on the disclosures made by former CID Director Shani Abeysekera on the Easter Sunday attack.

Economy will be affected if a resolution is adopted by UNHRC: Eran

Sri Lankan economy will suffer further blows if the UNHRC manages to adopt another resolution on the island nation, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne said today.

Lanza to reveal his future tomorrow

State Minister Nimal Lanza, who was staying away from duties of his ministry, is to make a statement in parliament tomorrow.

18-member squad for India tour announced

The Sri Lanka Cricket today announced the 18-member squad for the ‘Sri Lanka Tour of India 2022.’

Customs to repatriate last batch of controversial waste containers to UK

Sri Lanka Customs will repatriate the last batch of the controversial 263 container loads of garbage to the United Kingdom from the Colombo Port today.

People were happy during my time: Maithri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said people were living happily during his tenure and there were no issues at that time.

Court stays Thalangama fly over project

The Court of Appeal has issued an order staying the construction of the four lane elevated highway through Thalangama Wetlands.

US to give two aircraft to Sri Lanka free of charge

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) today said the United States government will grant two maritime surveillance aircraft (Beechcraft 360ER) to the Sri Lanka government, free of charge, through the Foreign Military Sales Contract to be operated by SLAF.

New power cut schedule announced

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has directed the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to impose power cuts between 4.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. today so that the ongoing G.C.E. Advanced Level examination would not be affected.

’’Keep yours face masks on’’, health warns

The Sri Lankan health authorities have categorically rejected reports which state that wearing of masks would be removed.

Australia fully re-opens borders after two-year Covid-19 closure

Australia opened its international borders to all vaccinated tourists Monday, nearly two years after the island nation first imposed some of the world’s strictest Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa dropped from Indian T20I tour

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selectors have reportedly dropped Sri Lankan middle order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa from the Indian T20I series.