Japan bans entry of foreign visitors as omicron spreads

Japan announced Monday it will suspend entry of all foreign visitors from around the world as a new coronavirus variant spreads, prompting an increasing number of countries to tighten their borders.

L.M.D. Dharmasena, the new Comm. Gen. of Examinations

Education Ministry, School Affairs Additional Secretary L.M.D. Dharmasena was appointed as the new Commissioner General of Examinations Department today.

Whistleblower to make further revelations

The former Executive Director at the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Thushan Gunawardena is preparing to make more startling revelations even as the heat remains over the garlic scam and gas cylinder issue.

Canada reports first case of Omicron variant

Two cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, first detected in Southern Africa last week, have been confirmed in Canada, provincial health officials said on Sunday.

Head Chef dies after falling down stairs in a restaurant

The Negombo Police initiated an investigation after a 24-year old man who was the head chef of a restaurant in Negombo has died after falling from a staircase in a restaurant.

Activists urge IGP to convert Police Dept. to an institute that respects Human Rights

In a letter to the Inspector General of Police, 44 civil society activists and 14 organisations have demanded an independent investigation into the killing of suspects while in police custody.

Heavy rains pose fresh flood threats in islandwide locations

Several areas in the country are facing fresh flood threats due to heavy rains that have come down in torrents during the past few days, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

New COVID variant’s entry to Sri Lanka inevitable, says SLMA

The entry of the newly detected COVID-19 variant, Omicron could be inevitable, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) said today.

Virulent variation of COVID-19 reported from African countries could spread in Sri Lanka : PHI Union

Public Health Officer’s Union today warned that the virulent variation of COVID-19 reported from the African countries could spread in Sri Lanka creating a serious health hazard due to the liberty allowed to the passengers on arrival to the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

Thirteen cases detected in Netherlands as Omicron variant spreads

More omicron infections were reported around the world on Sunday, with 13 cases of the new coronavirus variant found in the Netherlands and two in Australia, as more countries tried to seal themselves off by imposing travel restrictions.

27 more die of COVID-19: Death toll surges to 14,305

A total of 27 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (27) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 14,305.

Four sluice gates of Iranamadu Reservoir opened; people asked to be vigilant

Four sluice gates of the Iranamadu Reservoir in Kilinochchi were opened this morning (28) with the spill level of the reservoir reaching its optimal level due to heavy rains.

Tourists from six banned countries have not visited Sri Lanka within last 14 days: Minister

Tourists from six South African Countries whose citizens cannot enter the country due to the new COVID variant threat, have not arrived in the country in the last 14 days, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

Bread prices to increase again by Rs. 10

The price of a 450g loaf of bread will be increased by Rs.10 from tonight, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said.

Booster dose key as new COVID variant raises concerns: Medical expert

While elucidating ways to keep the newly detected COVID-19 variant, Omicron at bay, Dr Chandima Jeewandara said receiving the booster shot was of utmost importance at this moment and invited people to stick to basic health practices.

Death toll in Kinniya ferry tragedy rises to seven as another student dies

The death toll in the ferry tragedy in Kuringankerni Lagoon has increased to seven after a 7-year-old girl who was receiving treatment at the Trincomalee Hospital died.

Man goes missing after car topples into Mahaweli river; two rescued

A person has gone missing after a car toppled into the Mahaweli river at Ilukmodera on Kandy-Gurudeniya road.

UK, Germany and Italy detect Omicron variant cases, Israel closes borders

Britain, Germany and Italy detected cases of the new Omicron coronavirus variant on Saturday and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced new steps to contain the virus, while more nations imposed restrictions on travel from southern Africa.

India, Sri Lanka, Maldives maritime ops to tighten security in Indian ocean

A two-day maritime operation between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives to tighten security in the Indian Ocean started on Saturday.

More Covid cases in the Sri Lankan cricket women's squad, ICC calls off World Cup qualifiers

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2021 match between Sri Lanka and West Indies was cancelled today after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Sri Lankan camp, with the ICC abandoning the tournament in Zimbabwe altogether.

Reports of tests conducted on gas samples due today: Minister

The reports of the gas samples which were sent to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to test for composition of the domestic gas cylinders is due at 5 pm today, State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said today.

Sri Lanka bans travellers from several South African Countries

Travellers with a travel history (including transit) in past 14 days to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe & Eswatini will not permitted to disembark in Sri Lanka, Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said.

Victim who was assaulted by a Senior DIG in Kiriella goes to Supreme Court

The victim who was allegedly assaulted by a group of police officers including Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Ranmal Kodituwakku recently in Kiriella has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court.

Public officers reluctant to seek judicial remedies as they are subjected to harassment by top officials - Counsel

Revealing the consequences the government officers have to face when they institute legal action against their high ranking officers for violating Fundamental Rights, a counsel yesterday informed Supreme Court that government officers are now reluctant to come before Court for violation of their Fundamental Rights as the senior officers start to harass them frequently.

Navy soldier falls to death from Gaffoor building in Fort

A sailor attached to the Sri Lanka Navy had fallen from the top floor of the Gaffoor Building which is under renovation on Baron Jayatilake Mawatha in Colombo Fort.

Covid: New variant classed ’of concern’ and named Omicron

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new coronavirus variant to be ’’of concern’’ and named it Omicron.

Killings of suspects in police custody: BASL urges IGP to explain his failure to protect suspects

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday called upon the IGP to explain his failure to protect the suspect who was in police custody.

Govt.has released 18,000 MTs of substandard TSP fertilizer to farmers: Anura

The Government had released 18,000 MTS of substandard and hazardous stocks of TSP fertiliser to the farmers, despite its pledges to protect farmers from hazardous chemicals, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Contradictory reports damage diplomatic ties with China: Shasheendra

Two state institutions giving contradictory reports on organic fertiliser imported from China have damaged diplomatic ties with China, Minister of Organic Fertiliser Production and Promotion Shasheendra Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday.

CJ nominates a fuller bench to hear Yugadanavi power plant cases

The Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has nominated a fuller bench comprising five judges of Supreme Court to hear several Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the agreements on Yugadanavi power plant.