Omicron kills; Take your boosters - Health experts warn

The rapidly spreading Omicron variant can be fatal if people fail to take their COVID-19 vaccines and the booster doses which are now available to all those above the age of 20 years, health experts warned yesterday.

Big loss for Sri Lanka ahead of must-win T20I against Australia

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has tested positive for COVID-19.

Wanted criminal ’Parippuwa’ in STF net

An organized criminal and drug trafficker known as Manawaduge Asanka Maduranga alias ’Parippuwa’ has been arrested by the Special Task Force during a special operation.

Daily power cut schedule to be announced today: PUCSL Chairman

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) will announce daily scheduled power cuts from today, due to not having received sufficient fuel, furnace oil to generate power and also the hydro capacity in reservoirs.

Thousands inconvenienced as health services crippled for 9th day

Thousands of patients were highly inconvenienced and affected due to strike action launched by health workers which continues for ninth consecutive day.

CB says no ban on imports except for gold and vehicles

The government has neither banned nor imposed controls on imports except for vehicles and gold, as some have commented at various occasions and thus anybody can import anything without an issue, according to the Central Bank.

SLC should have guts to protest against Australian umpiring, says Arjuna

World Cup winning former national captain Arjuna Ranatunga believes Sri Lanka should have lodged a protest against the Australian umpires who didn’t call a wide on the fifth ball of the final over of Sri Lanka’s innings in the second T20I in Sydney on Sunday.

No vehicles imported violating restrictions on vehicle imports: Customs

The Sri Lanka Customs Department today said that the two Cadillac Escalade vehicles that were being transported in a car carrier on the expressway were not imported violating the restriction on vehicle imports.

Impartial inquiry into attack on Chamuditha’s house: GL

The government will never intervene politically in incidents such as the attack on the house of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema and said an impartial inquiry will be held into the incident, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said.

Rectify technical faults in train compartments and put them into operation: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to rectify the technical faults in train compartments imported during the previous government’s tenure and put them into operative status immediately.

President to inspect country’s first technology park on Thursday

President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to inspect the country’s first technology park near the Pinnaduwa entrance on the Southern Expressway in Galle on Thursday (17).

Market products through FB instead advising President: Madura Vithanage

Instead of advising the President through Facebook, people can strengthen their home economy by marketing their products through Facebook. Colombo District Parliamentarian and Kotte Municipal Councillor Madura Vithanage said.

Cardinal condemns Shehan Malaka’s arrest and attack on Chamuditha

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had vehemently condemned the arrest of activist Shehan Malaka and the attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama and had expressed his concern on the two incidents, Member of the Archdiocese of Colombo Communication Committee Chairman Fr Cyril Gamini Fernando said today.

Activist Shehan Malaka Gamage arrested by CID

Social activist Shehan Malaka Gamage has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department over a statement he had made on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks during a media briefing held last year.

SJB Leader and others should build a positive image: SF

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa and others who are eyeing to be ministers in a future government should build up their images, its MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said during the weekend.

EPF to be taxed to raise funds to shore up Govt.’s declining popularity: NPP

Claiming that the government was planning to impose a surcharge tax on EPF and ETF to raise funds not to be used for the wellbeing of the people, but on desperate efforts to shore up the government’s rapidly declining popularity, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said today that it will take every effort to ensure that the EPF and ETF will not be affected by the surcharge tax.

Recovery of hand grenade at All Saints' Church in Borella: Retired Doctor remanded till Feb.28

Retired medical practitioner Dr. Shirley Herath (75) arrested and detained over the hand grenade incident at All Saints’ Church in Borella was today ordered to be remanded till February 28 after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Sri Lanka fined for slow over-rate in 2nd T20: ICC also warns Pathum Nissanka

Sri Lanka have been fined 20 per cent of their match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the second T20I held in Sydney.

Closely monitoring situation in Ukraine: Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry is closely monitoring the situation over the Sri Lankans residing in Ukraine and would take necessary action to evacuate Sri Lankan citizens in the event of any emergency, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said.

Sajith will be common candidate as people want him to lead - Tissa Attanayake

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa will be the common opposition candidate for the next presidential elections as SJB believes that people want him to lead the nation, its National Organizer Tissa Attanayake said today.

Constitutionality of PTA amendment bill challenged in SC

The Centre for Policy Alternative and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu have filed a Special Determination Petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill.

Police to raid drugs parties on Valentines Day

Officers In-charge of Police stations across the country have been instructed to conduct raids on parties organized at hotels and other places with drugs specially today, Valentines Day, Police said.

Five nabbed with smuggled 'Ice' worth Rs. 20Mn in Mannar

Five suspects have been arrested by the Special Task Force of Police (STF) with over 1kg of crystal methamphetamine also known as Ice which has a street value of over Rs. 20 million.

Over 1,500 suspects arrested in special raid in WP

A total of 1,505 persons were arrested in a special crimes prevention operation conducted in the Western Province yesterday.

Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s residence attacked

Well-known journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama’s residence in Piliyandala came under attack as some unidentified elements pelted stones at his house and threw excreta early this morning.

CEB awaits India’s response on fuel supply

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has had two rounds of talks with the Indian Government and the IOC to obtain fuel directly for the CEB and are waiting for a response, a spokesman for the CEB said.

Sri Lanka to receive UN High Commissioner’s draft report today

The Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will avail the Sri Lankan government a copy of the draft of the report on Sri Lanka’s situation today, giving it time till Friday to respond, an official said.

Health workers strike enters eighth day; patients curse TU leaders

Despite Govt. Nursing Officers’ Association withdrew from ongoing strike by health workers, 17 other trade union continue the action for the eighth consecutive day.

Ukraine seeks meeting with Russia within 48 hours to discuss build-up

Ukraine has called for a meeting with Russia and other members of a key European security group over the escalating tensions on its border.

Australia win thriller in super over

Australia clinched a thrilling victory in the super over after being tied with Sri Lanka at the end of the stipulated 20 overs each for both sides in the second T20I of the five match series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday.