No Tsunami threat to Sri Lanka

The Disaster Management Centre today said there is no threat to Sri Lanka following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck near the western coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island today.

Woman arrested with links to Matugama shooting incident

A 39-year-old woman was arrested last night by the police in the Nugegoda area in connection with the shooting incident in Matugama, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Russian forces seize control of Chernobyl nuclear plant: Ukrainian official

Russian forces have seized control of the Chernobyl power plant in northern Ukraine, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, according to the agency that manages the area.

137 dead after first day of fighting: Ukraine’s President

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed so far in the Russian invasion of his country. He called them ’’heroes’’ in a video address released early Friday in which he also said hundreds more have been wounded.

Foreign Ministry issues advisory to Sri Lankans living in Ukraine

In view of escalation of the situation in Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry has instructed the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara, to take appropriate measures to coordinate the safe passage of the remaining Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine.

Mobs chase away tourists & attack beach restaurant in Hikkaduwa: 4 arrested

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on a beach restaurant at Narigama in Hikkaduwa where a group of mobs chased away foreign tourists and attacked the restaurant.

Water supply could be interrupted during power cuts: Trade Union

Water supply will be interrupted during power cuts due to fuel shortage and thereby the consumers will face numerous inconveniences, convener of the Water Supply Trade Union’s Collective Alliance, Upali Ratnayake said.

Dickwella and de Silva added to depleted Sri Lankan squad

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) sent two additional players to India for the T20Is and the Test matches to follow thereafter, it is learnt.

Ukraine says 50 Russian troops killed, four tanks destroyed

Ukraine’s military said on Thursday it had destroyed four Russian tanks on a road near the eastern city of Kharkiv, killed 50 troops near a town in Luhansk region and downed a sixth Russian aircraft, also in the country’s east.

Over 5-hour power cuts tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the request made by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to have rotational power shedding over five hours for tomorrow (25).

Fuel supply not an issue operating buses: SLTB Chief

Having denied the fake media reports, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said it was not the fuel issue that had made an SLTB bus to stop abruptly halfway.

Sri Lankans living in Ukraine safe: Envoy

The safety of Sri Lankans living in Ukraine has been ensured following the tensions erupted after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine.

Govt. has failed to identify priorities: Patali Champika

The incumbent Government has failed to pinpoint its priorities which has resulted in numerous issues including the power crisis adding burden on general public, SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka claimed.

CEB tells Keheliya to pay up his mega electricity bill

The Ceylon Electricity Board has urged Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to pay up his overdue electricity bill for his residence which is amounting to a massive Rs. 12,056,803.38.

China calls for restraint in Ukraine, rejects the term ’invasion’

China reiterated on Thursday a call for all parties involved in the situation in Ukraine to exercise restraint and rejected a foreign journalist’s description of Russia’s actions as an invasion.

Prez instructs Minister to appoint Commission to resolve issues of railway workers

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed Minister of Transport Pavithra Wanniarachchi to appoint a Commission to resolve issues of railway workers.

Bandula Padmakumara no more

Former Lakehouse Chairman, veteran journalist and television presenter Bandula Padmakumara passed away at the age of 71, sources confirmed.

President makes sudden inspection tour to Ratmalana Railway Maintenance yard

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a sudden inspection tour to the Ratmalana Railway Maintenance yard this morning.

Stop war in name of humanity, UN urges Russia

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring his troops back to Russia in the name of humanity.

5 Russian planes and 1 helicopter shot down, claims Ukraine

Five Russian planes and one helicopter have been shot down in Ukraine’s Luhansk region, the country’s military claimed on Thursday.

Parliament adjourned for 10 mins

Parliament was adjourned by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena for 10 minutes following a tense situation.

Oil breaches $100 for first time since 2014 on Ukraine attacks

Oil breached $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014 on Thursday as Russia moved troops into Ukraine, sparking concerns that a war in Europe could disrupt global energy supplies.

Russia announces special military operation in Donbas

Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a ’’special military operation’’ in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region.

Gazette issued revising scope of several ministries

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a special gazette notification revising the scope of several ministries.

Govt. to release Rs.80bn by Monday to settle CEB loan: Amaraweera

The government is to release Rs.80 billion to pay off the loan which the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had obtained to procure fuel from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for power generation.

Heavy showers forecast today: Met. Dept.

Thunderstorms and showers could be expected in the North-central, Eastern, and Uva provinces, as well as in Nuwara-Eliya, Matale and Hambantota districts today, the Meteorological Department said.

900,000 Sri Lankans refuse COVID-19 vaccines

Over 9 lakh people in Sri Lanka have not got a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine raising concerns among the health authorities.

Rs.100mn collected since it’s opening on Jan. 16

Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said a revenue of over Rs.100 million had been received from the Mirigama to Kurunegala stretch of the expressway since it’s opening on January 16 this year.

Basil promises funds for global tourism promotion campaign

The long-delayed global tourism campaign will receive funding assistance from the Treasury with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa having agreed to extend US $ 56 million for the effort.

Water board added to public sector institutions list; incurring serious losses: Union

This year the National Water Supply and Dranage Board (NWSDB) has been added to the list of public sector institutions that are incurring heavy losses, the convener of the Water Supply Trade Union Collective Alliance, Upali Ratnayake said.