IOC agrees to supply 40,000 MT diesel to Energy Ministry

The Indian Oil Company (IOC) has agreed to supply a shipment of 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel.

Govt. nod to obtain 450,000 barrels of crude oil from Cyprus

The government has approved the plan to obtain crude oil for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery by July 2022 from Terra Nevis Group in Cyprus.

Jobs in South Korea rise steadily; 4th batch left this year: SLBFE

While showing an increase in job opportunities in South Korea, 169 people left for for that country during the month of January, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Alice, the first all-electric passenger airplane, prepares to fly

The Alice, a plane developed by Israeli company Eviation, went through engine testing last week at Arlington Municipal Airport north of Seattle. According to Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay, the Alice is just weeks away from its first flight.

January inflation hits fresh high of 14.2%

Sri Lanka’s consumer prices hit a 13-year high in January, as the country continues to grapple with import restrictions, foreign exchange shortages and failed harvests.

Health Ministry makes no changes to existing guidelines despite Omicron spread

The existing health guidelines which were issued effective from January 1 to 31 has been further extended until the end of February, the Health Ministry said.

Fixed price of Rs.75 for coconut through Sathosa: Bandula

An agreement was signed with the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) to allow consumers to buy coconuts through Lanka Sathosa outlets at a fixed price of Rs. 75 per nut throughout the year, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

JR’s grandson says he was attacked with chili powder mixed water

SLFP (Sri Lanka Freedom Party) Member of Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Pradeep Jayewardene had come under attack with chilli powder by another member of CMC today.

SL awaiting a sample of organic fertiliser to replace the rejected cargo

Sri Lanka was awaiting a sample of organic fertiliser from the Qingdao Seawin Biotech Company (QSBC) of China before the new consignment of fertiliser to replace the rejected cargo which had been contaminated is shipped to the country, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

SJB hopeful that Ranjan will be released on Independence Day

Whilst the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is expecting that former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is serving a prison sentence for contempt of court to be released on February 4, 2022, the Spokesman for Prisons Department Chandana Ekanayake said the matter could be confirmed by Thursday.

A/L tuition classes prohibited after Feb. 1

Conducting coaching classes or tuition targeted at the 2021(2022) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be prohibited after February 1, the Department of Examinations said.

People use Rs.960mn worth sachets, 5,475 mn lunch sheets a year: Amaraweera

People in the country use sachets worth Rs.960 million and 5,475 million lunch sheets a year, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Vaccination for kids under 12 yet to be decided

In the wake of a death of a grade six student due to COVID-19, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), Director G. Wijesuirya said the inoculation of children under the 12 years of age is still under consideration.

Player, team trainer test COVID-19 positive ahead of Australia tour

Nuwan Thushara, who was included in the 20 member Sri Lanka Squad to tour Australia and the team trainer Dilshan Fonseka, have tested positive for COVID-19, the Sri Lanka Cricket said.

No power cuts until further notice

There will be no power cuts until further notice as relevant fuel stocks have been received to relevant Power Stations, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Egg attack on JVP rally: Minister Prasanna wants impartial inquiry, denies involvement

Denying his involvement in the egg attack on JVP’s rally in Kalagedihena, Tourism Minister and Gampaha District SLPP MP Prasanna Ranatunga requested the President and the IGP to conduct an impartial inquiry into the incident.

Egg attack on Anura politically motivated: JVP

Claiming that the egg-throwing attack targeting JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was a politically motivated and organized attack, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said today that a private security firm was behind the attack.

Man killed in Qatar shooting not a Sri Lankan: SLBFE

The man who was killed in a shooting in Doha, Qatar last week was not a Sri Lankan worker, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said today.

Unidentified male body recovered in Borella

The body of a male was found from a canal along Lake Drive in Borella today, Police said.

Schoolgirl succumbs to COVID-19

A grade six student from Dhammissara National school in Nattandiya died while being treated for COVID-19 at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Marawila Base Hospital, a hospital spokesman said.

16 trains cancelled due to COVID spread

Sixteen trains scheduled for today (31) have been cancelled as several locomotive operators tested positive for COVID-19, Railway authorities said.

Dangerous cargo poses threat to Colombo Port

The US Dollar crisis in Sri Lanka has caused a long delay in securing the release of several imported items at the Colombo Port, and among them are goods classed as dangerous cargo.

Presidential intervention sought to secure cess revenue for export development programmes

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane is seeking the President’s intervention to secure the cess revenue from international trade to fund export development programmes, which are critical to meet the country’s export targets.

Customs thwart attempt to smuggle forex worth Rs.25Mn at BIA

An attempt to smuggle foreign currency worth Rs.25 million by five men bound for Dubai was thwarted by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

SJB does not have to wait till it comes into power to work for people

SJB does not have to wait till it comes into power to work for people as it is already receiving assistance from foreign countries, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

Two held for hurling eggs at Anura Kumara’s vehicle

Two men who had thrown eggs at JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s vehicle when he came to Gampaha to attend the Gampaha District convention of the National People’s Power, were nabbed by party supporters and handed over to the Nittambuwa police today.

Daily COVID cases cross 1,000 mark

The Daily COVID-19 infections surpassed the 1,000 mark after 124 days showcasing the higher transmissibility of Omicron variant.

Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya remanded

Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya has been remanded till February 2 by Minuwangoda Magistrate Kesara Samaradiwakara for allegedly assaulting an indivitual and obstructing police after being drunk.

SL can recover from current economic woes within few months: Minister

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the Covid-19 pandemic was the main reason for the country’s economic crisis and that the country could recover from it in the next few months if it could continue without locking the country down.

CEB to purchase electricity from private power plants: Minister

The Ministry of Power has decided to purchase electricity from private power plants for a short period of time.