Updated health guidelines issued; liquor now allowed at weddings

The Health Ministry has issued a set of updated guidelines to be followed by general public from December 16 to 31 in which restrictions on weddings and funerals have been relaxed.

Forex crisis hits pharmaceutical imports

The present foreign exchange crisis has affected the establishment of Letters of Credit(lc) for import of essential pharmaceuticals including the ones used in the treatment of people suffering from some non-communicable diseases, Daily Mirror learns.

COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against Omicron: WHO

Preliminary evidence indicates that COVID-19 vaccines may be less effective against infection and transmission linked to the Omicron coronavirus variant, which also carries a higher risk of reinfection, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.

Economy contracts 1.5% in third quarter

Sri Lanka’s economy contracted 1.5 percent in the July-September quarter from a year ago, as the recovery set forth in the same period last year was beset by the fresh lockdowns, acute shortage in foreign currency liquidity and soaring prices.

Pandemic’s toll on economy estimated at Rs.2.5tn a year

The economic toll of the pandemic-induced lockdowns and related restrictions has cost the Sri Lankan economy a thumping Rs.2.5 trillion in nominal terms for a year, bringing the total loss of economic output during the pandemic’s two years to a whopping Rs.5.0 trillion.

If infected with COVID-19 after 2nd dose, wait for 6 months for booster shot

Health experts today said that those who were infected with the COVID-19 infection, after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, should wait for six months to get their booster doses.

Poet Ahnaf Jazeem granted bail

Poet and teacher Ahnaf Jazeem who was held in custody for a period more than one and a half years in the investigation of Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah was today granted bail by Puttalam High Court.

55,500 T-56 ammo buried by LTTE unearthed in Kilinochchi

Around 55,500 T-56 ammunition were found in the Korakkankattu area in Kilinochchi today, police said.

Booster doses available in all vaccination centers islandwide

Responding to false reports that the booster dose of COVID-19 should be obtained from where the previous shots were obtained, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige said the booster shots can be obtained from any centre set up island-wide.

Korean language exam as part of university entrance exams from 2023: Envoy

The Korean language has been officially adopted as a foreign language for the Advanced Level (A/L) curricula from this year, and by 2023, students can choose to sit for a Korean language examination as part of the university entrance examinations, Korean Ambassador Santhush Woonjin JEONG said.

SL confronts its worst ever financial crisis: Patali

While asserting that Sri Lanka is confronting its worst ever financial crisis, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said Sri Lanka needs to settle US$ 947 million loans next month, once the Central Bank would be left with nothing in the foreign exchange reserves for importing food, fuel and pharmaceuticals.

SL requests Pak to ensure timely receipt of promised financial benefits to Priyantha’s family

Sri Lanka has requested the Pakistan Government to ensure timely receipt of financial benefits from the employer and the Government of Pakistan to the family of the late Priyantha Kumara who was brutally killed by a mob in Sialkot, Pakistan recently, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said.

Train strike called off; train services to resume

The trade union action launched by the Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union (LEOU) and Railway Guards has been called off following discussions with the Railways General Manager (GMR), a senior official said.

No SLSI standard for LP gas- Litro Gas Company

At the moment there is no Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) standard for LP gas in the country, the Litro Gas Company informed Court of Appeal today.

Trade union action brings train services to a standstill

Railway services operating from the Colombo Fort have been hampered due to the ongoing railway trade union action, a senior railway official said.

Woman shot dead by brother-in-law in Nedunkeni

The Nedunkeni Police initiated an investigation after a 33-year-old woman travelling on a motorcycle was shot dead by her brother-in-law at Senepilaw in Nedunkeni today.

COVID spread still on; restriction of movement vital during upcoming festive season: GMOA

The spread of COVID-19 virus is not over as yet, so people should keep an eye on the upcoming festive season, the Government Medical Officers’ Association said today.

Foreign vessel carrying 250 kilos of heroin brought to Colombo Port

The Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau has docked the vessel containing 250 kilos of heroin at the Colombo Port, which was seized in international waters off Sri Lanka last week.

Defense Ministry to look into Fonseka’s revelation of errors in 6th volume of Mahawansa

Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne today assured to look into the concerns raised by SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka in Parliament recently over the factual errors in the 6th volume of Mahawansa.

AG decides not to call Sisira Mendis as a prosecution witness in Easter Sunday attack case

The Attorney General today informed Colombo High Court that former National Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis will not be called as a prosecution witness in a case filed against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando relating to the Easter Sunday bomb attack.

Jacqueline and family members received luxury gifts, BMW, Porsche from Sukesh Chandrashekhar: ED chargesheet

Sri Lankan born actress Jacqueline Fernandez reportedly seems to have accepted expensive gifts including luxury cars by conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar who not only gifted her but also gifted her family members these super luxury items including a BMW and Porsche.

Opposition in shameless attempt to term President as mastermind: Def. Sec.

Refuting claims that Zahran Hashim had been paid salaries by the government, Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said today the opposition was engaged in a shameless attempt to term President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks.

Over 700 LP gas leak explosions within 6 weeks

A total of 727 explosions related to LP gas leaks have been reported since November 1 up to date across the country, the police said.

Omicron spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant: WHO chief

The Omicron coronavirus variant is spreading at a rate not seen before, and there is concern that people are dismissing it as mild, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a news briefing in Geneva on Tuesday, CNN reported.

Locomotive engineers to begin strike at noon: LEOU

The Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union (LEOU) is to launch trade union action from noon today over several demands, such as for not considering to give promotions in the railway services, LEOU Secretary Indika Dodangoda said.

Special advisory issued for naval, fishing communities

The fishing and naval communities engaged in activities in the deep sea areas have been advised not to venture into the sea during the next 24 hours due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance to the south of Sri Lanka, the Meteorology Department said.

Central Bank rules out need to strike agreement with IMF

Central Bank ruled out the need to strike any arrangement with the International Monetary FUND(IMF) to tide over the current foreign exchange crisis.

Cabinet objects to Dr. P.B. Jayasundara

Severe objections against Dr. P.B. Jayasundara have been rising with almost all the minister’s calling for him to step down as the Secretary to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over various concerns, the Daily Mirror learns.

Father, daughter die in expressway accident, three injured

A father and his daughter died in a car crash between Galanigama and Millaniya on the Southern Expressway.

Basil leaves for Dubai

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa left for Dubai this morning, sources said