GMOA to resort island wide TU action on Monday

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has said it would resort to an island wide Trade Union (TU) action on Monday (21) in view of protecting the National Wage Policy, which is being violated through Cabinet decisions.

Egg attack on Anura; NPP goes to HRC

The National People’s Power (NPP) today lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) over the non-implementation of law against the culprits who were involved in the egg hurling incident against JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Unable to provide uninterrupted power supply with ongoing fuel crisis: CEB Engineers’ Union

Although the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided not to have power interruptions for three months, the Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) said that it is unable to provide uninterrupted power supply in the face of the ongoing fuel crisis, CEBEU President Anil Ranjith said.

President Instructs officials to grant nurses’ approved demands

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the officials to grant approved nurses’ demands in a manner that does not affect the entire public service.

Shane McDermott appointed Bangladesh fielding coach

Australia’s Shane McDermott, who recently was Sri Lanka’s fielding coach, will take up the same role with the Bangladesh national team, it is learnt.

Gangster ’Neelaka’ who abducted own child dies in retaliation with STF

A gangster known as ’Neelaka’ who abducted a 7-year old boy from Kandana in Horana, has been shot dead during a crossfire with the Special Task Force of Police (STF) in Horana.

Children’s feeding bottles, food containers found with harmful chemicals: CEJ

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) today said that feeding bottles and food containers intended for feeding children and babies in the country have been found with bisphenol A (BPA), which is a harmful chemical.

Probe launched after camera found in ladies toilet of leading tuition class in Gampaha

Police have initiated investigations into the installation of a modern camera in the ladies toilet of a leading private education institute conducting classes for Advanced Level students.

PM’s Secretary contracts covid-19

Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake has contracted Covid-19, an official of the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed.

$50m defence credit line for Sri Lanka: Pakistan MoDP advised to seek approval from ECC

Pakistan Ministry of Finance (MoF) has advised Ministry of Defence Production (MoDP) to seek Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approval for establishing Defence Credit Line Facility of $50 million for Sri Lanka before starting negotiations and finalizing terms and conditions, official sources told Business Recorder.

Catholic church requests CID to arrest Maithri

Head of the Colombo Archdiocese’s Social Relations Unit Rev. Fr. Jude Chrishantha requested the CID to question former President Maithripala Sirisena and arrest him if necessary as it is clear that the latter is responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks.

Legal action for failing to rehabilitate excavation sites after completion: Amaraweera

Legal action would be taken against those who have not rehabilitated the excavation sites properly after completion and to ensure that such establishments and individuals will not be issued licence, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Wimal’s FB account hacked, anti-govt posts uploaded

Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa today said that his personal Facebook account had been hacked and the hacker had posted some posts critical of the government, and he asserted that he had no hand in posting such posts.

Justin Trudeau invokes Emergencies Act for first time in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he’s invoking the Emergencies Act for the first time in Canada’s history to give the federal government temporary powers to handle ongoing blockades and protests against pandemic restrictions, CBC news reported.

Close associate of ’Manna Ramesh arrested by STF

A close associate of ’Manna Ramesh’ was arrested by the STF along with 235 gms of Kerala cannabis, 50 narcotic pills, two swords and over Rs. 100,000 earned through cannabis sale.

Dr. Shafi’s writ petition claiming back-wages fixed for support

The writ petition filed by Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilisation of female patients was today fixed for support by Court of Appeal.

No power supply for payment defaulters: PUCSL Chairman

Customers who are not punctual in settling their monthly electricity bills will have their power supply disconnected, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

250 kg of ganja packets bound for Sri Lanka seized in India, 14 held

Ganja packets weighing 250 kg and bound for Sri Lanka were seized by a special team of police in Thanjavur, India on Tuesday night, the New Indian Express reported.

Police directed not to misuse PTA

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the Police not to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as a shortcut but only if there are clear links to terrorism.

All major political parties struggling to remain intact

All major political parties in Sri Lanka are presently struggling to remain intact and are likely to start splitting, with one alliance already to be named in early March signalling a split in the present government, the Daily Mirror learns.

PUCSL proposes blackout for bulk electricity users, large companies to be told to use generators

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has proposed enforcing power cuts for bulk electricity users, including media companies and other large businesses.

Move to use PTA and Penal Code to restrict freedom of expression: NPP

While denouncing the use of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the section 120 of the penal code to restrict the right to freedom of expression, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) today urged the government to uphold democratic values, ensure fundamental rights of the people and to follow rule of law by ensuring national security in the country.

Pro-LTTE supporters agitate after Theekshana joins CSK

A social media campaign was launched by pro- LTTE activists against Sri Lanka’s spinner Mahesh Theekshana after Chennai Super Kings [CSK] picked Theekshana at the IPL auction 2022.

Wildlife Ministry orders Zoo DG to stay away from duty

The Wildlife Protection Ministry has ordered Shermila Rajapaksa, Director General (DG) of the National Zoological Gardens, not to report for duties until the investigations being carried out into an illegal organic fertiliser project at the Zoological Department are over.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa passes fitness tests, available for India tour

Sri Lanka’s top order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa is available for the upcoming India tour, it is learnt, after he passed the required fitness tests.

Signs of the dawn of a black era for local media : Ruwan

Whilst stating that there are signs that a black era will dawn for the local media, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene today said Sri Lanka will have to face certain questions at the next UNHRC sessions in Geneva on the harassment of journalists and civil activists.

All parties should come to an agreement on IMF report : Ranil

It’s the duty all parties in Sri Lanka to initiate a dialogue and come to an agreement on the report which the IMF is expected to release on Sri Lanka shortly,, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Baby Arabian oryx born at Dehiwala zoo: Zoo DG

One of the world’s endangered species, the Arabian oryx gave birth to a calf at the Dehiwala National Zoo two weeks ago, National Zoological Gardens Director General Sharmila Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lanka eyes Justin Langer to replace Mickey Arthur

Aravinda de Silva says Sri Lankan cricket powerbrokers are keen to talk with Justin Langer if the ousted Australian coach shares a reciprocated interest in Sri Lanka’s vacant coaching post.

Dhammika Bandara’s brother dies of Covid-19

Younger brother of Dhammika Bandara, a much talked about person for introducing a syrup (Pani) said to cure COVID-19, has died of Covid pneumonia despite obtaining all three doses of Covid-19 vaccine.