All grades to resume classes tomorrow; no decision to open school canteens

All grades of schools will be opened as usual from tomorrow (10). However, school canteens will no longer be allowed to open, the Education Ministry said.

Jacqueline Fernandez makes appeal after pics with conman go viral

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez issued a statement on Saturday after a picture of her with alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar made the rounds on social media, the NDTV reported.

India tops Sri Lanka’s tourism charts 2021: Destination weddings, ‘Ramayana trail’ favourites of visitors

India topped Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in December and the entire year, according to data published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Avishka Fernando contracts COVID-19

Sri Lanka batsman Avishka Fernando will miss the Zimbabwe ODI series after testing positive for COVID-19.

Accidents in SL on the rise; 3,500 hospitalizations, 35 deaths daily

The Health Ministry has alerted people about the number of hospitalizations and deaths caused by accidents which steadily increase day by day.

Emergency declared in Pakistan’s Murree as stranded tourists die after overnight snowfall

Murree in Pakistan was declared calamity hit on Saturday after at least 21 people repeatedly froze to death in cars stranded in snow amid a glut of tourist influx, Foreign Media reported.

SLC imposes new rules on players intend to retire from national cricket

In the wake of cricketer Bhanuka Rajapaksa has announced his intention to retire from international cricket, the Sri Lanka Cricket has taken a number of decisions on national players who intend to retire from national cricket.

Veteran actor Robin Fernando passes away

Veteran actor Robin Fernando passed away this morning at the age of 84, family sources said.

Justice for Lasantha: Eran questions Yahapalanaya

Former State Minister Eran Wickramaratne says he is unsure as to why the killers of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge were not brought to book even though Ministers in the Yahapalanaya Government felt strongly on the matter.

Chinese Foreign Minister due to arrive in SL

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi began is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka over the weekend and launch the celebration of the 65th Anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations.

Lankan catches cricket ball dropped from nearly 400 feet for Guinness record

A Sri Lankan man living in Australia broke a Guinness World Record when he caught a cricket ball that was dropped by a drone 393 feet and 3 inches over the ground.

Wanted drug trafficker nabbed with semi-auto firearm at Habaraduwa beach hotel

A 59-year-old suspect wanted over drugs trafficking has been arrested by the STF Special Raid Unit at a beach hotel in Habaraduwa with a semi-automatic Chinese-made firearm.

Trade unions demand Rs.5,000 allowance to be extended to private sector

The key trade unions representing the private sector employees have requested Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva to extend the Rs.5,000 allowance announced for the public sector last week to the private sector employees as well, through legislative measures.

15% food price increase in a single month

Advocata’s Bath Curry Indicator (BCI), which tracks the monthly changes in the retail price of food, recorded an increase of 15 percent from November 2021 to December 2021.

South Korea responds positively to SL’s call for enhanced dollar assistance

Sri Lanka has reached out to South Korea to obtain enhanced dollar assistance from its EXIM Bank and greater development assistance from KOICA, as the island nation continues to struggle with low levels of foreign exchange.

Killing of an elephant in Yala National Park Civil security constable taken into custody

A civil security constable was taken into custody by the Tangalle Division Anti-Vice Unit in connection with the killing of an elephant

19-year-old suspect arrested for sexually abusing sister

​A 19-year old person was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing his 12-year sister, the police said. He is to be produced before the Baddegama Magistrate.

Forex crisis triggers power outage

One hour power outage will be carried out in the country at selected places at any time between 5.30 pm and 9.30 pm primarily due to the lack of furnace oil for thermal power generation, a spokesman for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) s

SLC lifts ban on Durham bio-bubble breachers

Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis will be eligible to return to international cricket, after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) lifted the ban imposed on them for breaching bio-bubble protocols while on tour in England last year.

Children from 16-19 to get second dose

The Health Ministry has decided to administer second dose for children in the age group from 16 to 19 who have completed three months since the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Booster dose to be made mandatory when visiting public places: Minister

Booster dose will also be made mandatory to access public spaces in addition to first and second doses, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

Global singer Cher slams local officials for exploiting twin elephants

Global musician Cher has slammed the Department of National Zoological Gardens including its Director General Shermila Rajapaksa for allegedly exploiting elephants after the ’Rally for Animal Rights and Environment’ (RARE) movement shared a video on its Twitter showing the newly born twin elephants and their mother in Pinnawala being allegedly forced to bathe for media publicity.

Court rejects former President’s request to release him from Easter Sunday attack lawsuits

A request made by former President Maithripala Sirisena that he be released from several civil lawsuits filed by the victims of Easter Sunday attacks was today rejected by Colombo District Court.

CB says funds allocated for Jan. 18 bond settlement

Sri Lanka has set aside the funds required for the upcoming international bond settlement due in less than two weeks, just weeks after Fitch Ratings downgraded the sovereign deeper into the junk category, on the heightened debt default concerns amid razor thin foreign exchange reserves.

Basil loses chance to meet Indian PM

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will miss the opportunity to have a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the tenth edition of the Vibrant Gujarat global investor summit since the event was postponed due to the surge in Covid numbers.

SL in contact with China, India for credit facilities to purchase drugs in forex crisis

Amidst the foreign exchange crisis, the government is exploring credit arrangements with China and India for the import of essential pharmaceuticals, a minister said.

Selection of invigilators for 2021 (2022) A/L exam through online: Exam. Dept.

The Examinations Department will call for applications for the selection of invigilators for the 2021 (2022) GCE Advanced Level Examination through online.

New cases in India cross 1 lakh mark; Omicron tally rises to 3,007

India reported 117,100 new cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, ending at 9 am on Friday. With 30,836 new recoveries, the country’s active caseload is now at 3,71,363.

Lack of clarity over outdoor musical events creates uncertainties

An ambiguity has been created as to whether outdoor musical events can be held or not under existing quarantine regulations.

SLAF establishes 24×7 vaccination centre at BIA

The Sri Lanka Air Force has established a 24x7 Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Bandaranaike International Airport to administer Pfizer vaccines for Sri Lankans arriving from overseas if they have not been vaccinated with first, second or booster doses.