Sialkot Bar has announced not to appear for torture culprits

Sialkot Bar has decided not to appear on behalf of the culprits involved in the torture and murder of Sri Lankan Priyantha Kumara the sources from Pakistan said.

Two doses of vaccine compulsory by early next year: Keheliya

Receiving two doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be made mandatory by early next year, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

ICTA to conduct a one-day roadshow in the Western region

ICTA will conduct a one-day roadshow in the Western region in collaboration with the Ministry of Technology, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRCSL), Telecommunications Partners, and Industry partners, a statement from it said.

Ulema to observe ‘day of condemnation’ today: Hafiz Ashrafi

Special Representative to the Prime Minister on Religious Harmony and Middle East, Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi Thursday said the Ulema and religious scholars and other segment of society would observe ‘day of condemnation’ today (Friday) to condemn lynching of Sri Lankan national in Sialkot on accusation of blasphemy

Economic crisis in Sri Lanka has got worse: Ruwan

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has got worse while the government has fallen out with both China and India, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said

Fags worth Rs.0.5mn emerge from chocolates inside BIA

A large stock of contraband cigarettes worth of Rs.630,000, which had been smuggled into the country from Dubai as chocolates was seized by the police at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last evening

General Shavendra Silva to attend General Bipin Rawat’s last rites

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Commander of Sri Lankan Army General Shavendra Silva is expected to attend the last rites of CDS General Bipin Rawat in New Delhi on Friday.

1,374 waste disposal sites located along Kelani River: Amaraweera

There are 1,374 waste disposal sites in the Kelani River area from Seethawaka to Peliyagoda, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said

Govt. to hold import of vehicles and new staff appointments for 2022

The government has decided not to import any vehicles into the country and not to admit any new staff appointments for next year, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said

30 plus to get booster from tomorrow in Colombo

The booster dose (Pfizer) will be administered to individuals above 30 years of age from tomorrow (10) in the city of Colombo, Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Dinu Guruge said today.

US$ 100,000 raised by Sialkot business community, monthly salary to family: Foreign Ministry

Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris welcomed the announcement of the donation of US$ 100,000 by the business community in Sialkot and payment of monthly salary of Priyantha Kumara to his widow and children.

NOCPCO no more in operation

The National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) will no longer be in operation as it has been converted to Operation Center for Green Agriculture with effect from today (09).

Station Masters to go for large scale trade union action: SLRSMU

The Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) has unanimously decided to go for a massive trade union action soon if the Railways Department fails to provide proper solutions to many issues faced by the station masters for a long time.

Priyantha didn’t know what he had torn and discarded: Malik Adnan

Pakistani national Malik Adnan, who received the highest bravery award from his Prime Minister Imran Khan for shielding Priyantha Kumara from the unruly mob in Sialkot last Friday, revealed yesterday that Priyantha was unaware of what was written in the posters pasted on the factory walls as it was in the Urdu language and discarded it unknowingly.

Wasantha Karannagoda appointed North Western Province Governor

Former Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda has been appointed as the new Governor of the North Western Province.

SL’s foreign reserves drop to US$ 1.5 billion: Minister

Whilst stating that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have dropped to approximately US $ 1.5 billion ($ 1587 million), State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe today said there are certain groups engaged in drug trafficking and arms rackets who are out to destabilize the country both politically and financially.

Ranil’s writ petition against PCoI recommendations fixed for support

A writ petition filed by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe seeking an order to stay the operation of finding and recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of political victimization has been fixed for support by the Court of Appeal.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin apologises for clubbing despite COVID warning

Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin has apologised for going clubbing after coming into close contact with a Covid-19 case.

Change of content in gas cylinders revealed

The committee appointed by the President to look into gas explosions has revealed that there has been a change of content in gas cylinders lately, State Minister of Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna told Parliament yesterday.

Chinese firm sues Sri Lanka in dispute over $49.7m fertilizer deal

A ship loaded with 20,000 tons of fertilizer from Shandong-based producer Seawin Biotech meant for export to Sri Lanka is on its way back after failing to reach any constructive agreement with Sri Lanka, despite relentless efforts to solve the dispute, sources close to the matter told the Chinese Global Times on Tuesday.

Omicron: Steps taken worldwide to be reviewed to enable decision-making in SL

Necessary decisions will be made after evaluating the recommendations of WHO and steps taken by other countries to face the new COVID variant, Omicron, the Health Ministry said.

Man who swallowed ICE drugs dies in police custody

A 37-year-old man who was arrested by the Piliyandala Police on charges of possessing drugs has died after swallowing methamphetamine also known as ICE, police said.

Largest gemstone found in Ratnapura confirmed to be star sapphire cluster: Minister

The gemstone weighing 510 kg unearthed in Ratnapura a few months ago, was confirmed to be a star sapphire cluster following tests conducted by the Gübelin Gem Lab in Switzerland, State Minister Lohan Ratwatte said today.

Opp. urges Govt. to table Yugadanavi agreement in parliament before Friday

The Opposition today raised concerns that the agreement which the government has signed with New Fortress Energy pertaining to the Yugadanavi power plant has not been presented in parliament as promised by Power and Renewable Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge.

Rohit Sharma replaces Virat Kohli as India’s ODI captain

In a massive announcement, the BCCI has named Rohit Sharma as the new ODI captain of the Indian cricket team. He will take over from his predecessor Virat Kohli starting the three-ODI series against South Africa in January 2022.

India’s top military officer, CDS Gen Bipin Rawat, dies in helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu

India’s top military commander has died in a helicopter crash in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Indian Air Force said.

1,768 naval personnel promoted on Navy’s 71st anniversary

A total of 84 officers and 1,684 ratings personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy will be promoted to their next ranks tomorrow in view of 71st anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Writ petition filed urging IGP to initiate investigations against Bandula and Lasantha

A writ petition has been filed before Court of Appeal seeking an order directing the IGP to initiate criminal investigation against Minister Bandula Gunawardene, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman and Director General of Sri Lanka Standard Institution for allegedly releasing unsafe gas cylinders to the market.

Minister Aluthgamage tells court Chinese fertilizer vessel has left Sri Lankan waters

The Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage today informed the Court of Appeal that the cargo vessel carrying contaminated fertilizer from China has left Sri Lankan waters.

Collect insecure LPG cylinders used in households as well: Anura

Claiming that the LG gas cylinders currently in use at households were still posing the risk of exploding, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake today urged the Government to retrieve the LP gas cylinders currently in use as well.