Moroccan boy trapped in well for four days dies

A five-year-old Moroccan boy who was trapped in a well for four days has died, despite painstaking efforts to rescue him.

Two unidentified bodies found in Wellawatta beach

Two unidentified male dead bodies have been found on the beach at Wellawatte in Colombo today.

No plans of lockdown despite spike in COVID cases, says Govt.

The government has so far undecided to go for a lockdown despite a sharp increase in the number of COVID positive cases over the last few days.

Full vaccination compulsory from April 30, Gazette issued

While issuing an extraordinary gazette notification the Health Ministry announced that people should not enter public places without having proof of being fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus from April 30.

Ensure participation of TN fishers in Katchatheevu fest: Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday expressed concern over the denial of permission for fishermen-devotees of Tamil Nadu to participate in the annual festival of St Antony’s Church at Katchatheevu.

No preliminary report has arrived yet: GMR

No preliminary report had been received regarding the attack on the Meenagaya Intercity Express Train (6079) at the Kekirawa Railway Station on January 14, Railways General Manager (GMR) Dhammika Jayasundara said.

PTA amendments do not eliminate draconian provisions: Zuhair

Former MP M. M. Zuhair PC, who issued a statement on the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No 48 of 1979 (PTA) do not eliminate the draconian aspects of the original PTA.

Statement made by Chairperson of Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust decried by Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry notes with concern the numerous misleading statements contained in the testimony of Chairperson of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust Ambika Satkunanathan, during an exchange of views on the situation of human and labour rights in Sri Lanka at the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights on January 27, 2022, a statement said.

Chandimal Jayasinghe demands Rs.200 million as damages from Pushpika

Entrepreneur and cosmetologist Chandimal Jayasinghe has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.200 million as damages from Pushpika de Silva for allegedly making a defamatory statement regarding him in an interview with a YouTube channel.

Foreign Minister to undertake two-day visit to India

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris will leave for India on February 6 for a two-day visit, an informed source said.

No order yet on Ranjan’s release: Prisons Spokesman

No order has so far been received over the release of former actor-turned politician and parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, prisons spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.

440 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 440 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 580,220, the Health Ministry said.

Opposition boycotts Independence Day celebrations

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and a few other opposition political parties representing Parliament boycotted the 74th national Independence Day celebrations at the Independence square today.

IMF says it is ’ready’ to help Sri Lanka - if asked

The International Monetary Fund is ready to discuss ’’options’’ with Sri Lanka if the government asks for financial support, its mission chief for SRi Lanka told AFP on Thursday.

Freedom is not something that ends with victory: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said freedom is not something that ends with the victory and it is something that should be won day by day.

Difficult times do not last forever: President

Claiming that difficult times do not last forever, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today all the people have an enormous responsibility to build a positive attitude in the country to face the crises successfully.

UK Govt. takes ‘very seriously’ on allegations mentioned in ITJP report on SL

While claiming that the UK government takes ‘very seriously’ the allegations of torture and sexual violence in the report ’Sri Lanka: Torture and Sexual Violence by Security Forces 2020-2021’, compiled by the report by the International Truth and Justice Project, Britain on Wednesday said that they have already raised serious concerns around the deteriorating human rights situation in SL.

Importers ask for US $ 175-200Mn monthly for essential food items

Ahead of the festive season, the importers of essential food commodities have sought a meeting with Secretary to the President Gamini Senarath to make sure that US $ 175-200 million is released every month to avert a shortage.

Over 8,000 Dengue cases so far for 2022

Sri Lanka have reported over 8,000 cases of Dengue for the year 2022 out of which 7,702 cases were reported in the month of January.

Police acted differently on probe on egg attack and Ragama uni incident: Tilvin

Claiming that the police had acted in different ways in two similar incidents of egg attack on JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the attack on Ragama Medical Faculty undergrads, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday called on the police to conduct a proper investigation on the egg attack as well.

Orders placed to import RAT kits: Health Ministry responds to claims

While saying that there is no acute shortage of Rapid Antigen Tests kits at present, COVID-19 Coordinator Dr. Anwar Hamdani said orders have been placed to import more RAT kits from countries like India and Japan.

480 Army officers, 8034 other rankers promoted on Independence Day

A total number of 480 Officers including 7 Senior Brigadiers and 8034 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army to be promoted to their next rank in view of 74th National Independence Day.

Bid to smuggle 500 kg ganja into Sri Lanka under poultry feed busted in India; six arrested

Around 500 kg of ganja reportedly being smuggled into Sri Lanka was seized on Tuesday in Nagapattinam, India. The police arrested six persons in connection with the incident.

U.S. announces killing of ISIS Leader in raid

U.S. President Biden said Thursday that a U.S. raid in northwestern Syria killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi.

PUCSL warns of action against CEB over power interruptions

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) would take action against the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act if the CEB imposed any power cuts in the future.

Rosy sends Letter of Demand to Pushpika

Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake has sent a Letter of Demand through her lawyers to Mrs. Sri Lanka Pushpika De Silva over several defamatory allegations made by Mrs. Sri Lanka targeting Rosy Senanayake during an interview on YouTube recently.

Massive fire destroys thinner factory in Avissawella

A fire broke out at a paint and thinner factory at Dunkolahena in Avissawella this evening, destroying the factory.

29 A/L exam centres for COVID-infected, quarantined candidates

Twenty-nine examination centres have been established for 2021 (2022) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) candidates who have contracted the coronavirus and for those who are under quarantine, the Examinations Department said.

Suranga Lakmal signs two-year deal with Derbyshire

Just a day after announcing that the upcoming tour to India will be his last assignment in international cricket, Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal has now signed a two-year deal with the County side Derbyshire.

197 inmates to be released under Presidential pardon

A total of 197 prisoners are to be released from prisons island-wide tomorrow on presidential pardon to mark the 74th Independence Day, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake today said.