Chamal admits MR under rest following surgery

Brother of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa earlier today admitted that the Prime Minister had undergone a surgery which is why he was unable to attend a public event in Gampola today.

COVID exit strategy changed; new guidelines for patients & contacts

The Health Ministry has updated the guidelines on laboratory testing strategy for COVID-19, integrated home-based isolation and management of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients and discharge criteria from treatment facilities.

SL briefs Diplomatic Corps on Current Initiatives ahead of HR Council session

Sri Lanka on Wednesday briefed Diplomatic Corps on the current initiatives taken by the government and to share information on progress related to human rights and reconciliation as part of the continued engagement ahead of the upcoming 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, which will commence in the last week of February, the foreign ministry said.

New health guidelines for tourists travelling to SL issued

The Health Ministry today issued a set of new health guidelines applicable for tourists travelling to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No power outages until Monday: PUCSL

After analysing the data available on the demand and supply of electricity, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that there is no need to have scheduled power cuts until next Monday (31).

Don’t send children to school if they develop symptoms: Pediatrician

The health authorities today urged parents not to send their children to school if they had developed any symptoms such as fever, cold, diarrhoea or vomiting, claiming that there was a significant increase in diseases among children specially Covid-19, viral fevers and dengue fever these days.

Calls for transparency get louder over IPO share allocations

As a large amount of the initial public offering (IPO) shares of companies get often allocated to so-called undisclosed eligible investors, market participants are calling for the disclosure of such shareholders in a bid to bring in transparency to the whole IPO process.

Sri Lanka to go low on electricity from March, power schedule times likely to be given

With the country running on a very thin power supply with the shortage of fuel created by the forex crisis, sources at the Ceylon Electricity Board said they will be compelled to issue the power supply times to the general public from March, similar to some African countries, if the crisis is not sorted soon.

Special Goods and Services Tax Bill to be taken up for debate on Feb. 10

Party leaders in Parliament have decided to take up the proposed Special Goods and Services Tax Bill on February 10, 2022, media unit of Parliament which quoted Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake said today.

Three MT cement shortage in the country: Construction Assn.

The country is currently facing an acute shortage of three metric tons of cement for the construction industry, National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) Chairman Susantha Ranjith Liyanarachchi said.

Sharp rise in COVID cases; hospitals overcrowding: PHI Union

A sharp increase in COVID-19 cases was being reported daily at present exceeding the hospital capacity, Public Health Inspectors Union President Upul Rohana said.

Decision on power cuts this evening; PUCSL to recommend using power sparingly

A decision will be taken this evening whether to go ahead with power cuts or not, and recommendations will be given to all institutions and consumers to use electricity sparingly, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Ambulance shot at in Panadura

An ambulance driver came under gun shot attack in front of the Kethumathi Hospital in Panadura this morning, Police said.

Special unit formed to thwart corruption and misconduct in Prisons

‘Sri Lanka Prisons Emergency Action and Tactical Force’ (SPEAT Force) was introduced to thwart corruption and misconduct in Prisons and to control such issues in a more transparent approach the Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne said yesterday.

China to donate new seismic stations

The Chinese government has pledged to provide three more fully equipped seismic centres and one of them to be establish at the Western and North-Western Provincial boundaries, the Environment Ministry said.

SL exceeds administering 5 Mn booster doses: Prof. Jayasumana

The number of people who recieved the Covid-19 booster dose in Sri Lanka exceeded five million with a total of 30,253 doses being administered yesterday, State Minister Prof Channa Jayasumana said.

Hela Apparel IPO oversubscribed by 5.4 times on opening day

Hela Apparel Holdings, the holding company of Hela Clothing Group, made history this month with the successful oversubscription of the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the past decade.

Moderna starts trial for Omicron-specific booster shot

Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) said on Wednesday it had started a mid-stage study, testing a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine specifically designed to target the Omicron coronavirus variant, a day after rival Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) launched a similar trial.

Ratmalana aiport road to be completed in 20 days

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando has instructed the Director General of the Road Development Authority to complete upgrading the access road to the Ratmalana airport within 20 days, a statement from the ministry said.

Unnecessary fuss on Pushpika and the audio clip: Rosy

Controversy has arisen with regard to the claim that Pushpika de Silva who represented Sri Lanka at the Mrs.World 2022 pageant had become fourth runner up and with an audio clip being aired over social media involving Ms.De Silva and Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake.

SL addresses drug shortage despite forex crisis

Despite speculations that Sri Lanka would plunge into a drug shortage in about two months, the Treasury has released adequate funds enabling commercial banks to open Letters of Credit (LCs) in a bid to overcome the impending drug shortage.

Colombo, Gampaha identified as COVID hotspots

A drastic rise in the spread of COVID-19 has been noticed in the Gampaha and Colombo districts in recent time, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said.

Govt. Declares war on cement black market

Government has decided to carry out an operation to raid cement suppliers and recover hidden stocks, State Ministry of Rural Housing Construction and Building Materials Industries Promotion said today.

Lasith Malinga appointed as Bowling Strategy Coach

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed fast bowling legend Lasith Malinga as the ‘Bowling Strategy Coach’ of the National Team for the upcoming Tour of Australia.

Govt. to promote use of bicycles to reduce air pollution

The Environment Minister has said that the Ministry will take steps to promote the use of bicycles as one of the steps to reduce air pollution.

COVID cases reach 6,000 mark in one week

Nearly 6,000 COVID-19 infections have been reported within seven days showcasing the higher transmissibility of the Omicron variant which is spreading rapidly across the country.

SJB goes to SC against new Tax Bill

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today filed a Special Determination petition in Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the bill titled “Special Goods and Services Tax”.

Stealing money from PM’s account proves escalation of thefts, frauds in SL :Vijitha

Stealing money from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s account clearly show the escalation of thefts, frauds and corruption in the country, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said today.

SC suspends operation of Deradicalization Regulations; granted leave to proceed with petitions

The Supreme Court today issued an Interim Order suspending the operation of Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalization from holding violent extremist religious ideology) Regulations No. 01 of 2021, which was published by way of gazette notification on March 12, 2021.

Sapugaskanda to reopen on Jan. 30: Energy Ministry

The Sapugaskanda oil refinery will be late in resuming its operations due to a delay in opening Letters of Credit (LCs) to procure the required crude oil, Energy Ministry Secretary K. D. R. Olga said.