GNOA to go to intl. court against govt’s suppression: Rathnapriya

Government Nursing Officers’ Association (GNOA) said today they would go to the International Court against the government for suppressing their right to strike.

Maheesh Theekshana sold to CSK

Sri Lanka’s mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been sold for INR 70 lakhs at the IPL auction.

Fuel price formula to be presented to Cabinet

The fuel price formula has been drafted and will be presented to the cabinet next week, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Dushmatha Chameera sold for INR 2 crore in IPL auction

Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmatha Chameera has been sold for INR 200 lakhs at the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction held today.

Ukraine tensions: A dozen nations tell citizens to leave Ukraine

More than a dozen countries have urged their citizens to leave Ukraine amid warnings from Western powers that an invasion by Russia could be imminent.

Sri Lanka-India ties at high point: G.L. Peiris

In an interview to The Indian Express, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister G L Peiris said India and Sri Lanka had reached a high point in their relations, and that concerns about the Chinese presence in his country had been “consigned to the past”.

‘Centre keen on solving T.N. fishermen’s issues’: Indian Minister

The Centre is keen on finding a permanent solution to the problems faced by Tamil Nadu fishermen while fishing near Sri Lankan territorial waters, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan said on Saturday.

12 Indian fishermen arrested along with two trawlers in SL waters

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 12 Indian fishermen with two Indian trawlers for fishing in Sri Lankan waters in the seas off north of Talaimannar last night.

Traffic on Colombo - Horana Road restricted from tomorrow

The vehicular movements on the Colombo-Horana Main road will be restricted at Bokundara in Piliyandala from tomorrow due to construction of a bridge, police said.

GNOA withdraws from TU action: other TUs to continue strike

The Government Nursing Officers’ Association (GNOA) has decided to temporarily withdraw from the trade union action following the court order, its President Saman Rathnapriya said.

Nature or extent of challenges does not matter when fulfilling promises: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the nature or extent of the challenges will not matter in fulfilling the promises made to the people.

Hasaranga picked up by RCB for 10.75 crore, becomes most expensive Sri Lankan in IPL history

All-rounder Wanindu Hasanranga will feature for the Royal Challengers Bangalore for the upcoming Indian Premier League season after the franchise forked out a massive 10.75 Crore bid (Rs. 287 million) to re-sign at the IPL player auction held today.

COVID pandemic’s ‘acute phase’ could end by midyear: WHO

The head of the World Health Organization has said the acute phase of the pandemic could end this year, if about 70 percent of the world gets vaccinated.

Feb. 01-10 tourist arrivals cross 30,000 mark

Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals crossed the 30,000 mark in the first 10 days of February.

Tea production improves despite fertiliser shortage: Plantation Minister

Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said the total tea production had increased by 21 million in 2021 compared to 2020 despite the shortage of chemical fertiliser.

SLFP not in agreement with Govt.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party does not agree with the government to impose collection of a 25 percent surcharge on the EPF and ETF, since both funds have been built up with hard earned money of six million private and semi government sector employees, the party’s propaganda secretary Shantha Bandara said yesterday.

Sumanthiran-led multi-party group ask Govt for rescheduling debts

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran who initiated two rounds of closed door meetings with party leaders and chairmen of three key parliamentary committees said the government would be asked to initiate a dialogue with its creditors and reschedule loan repayment to tide over the current crisis.

Supply of electricity declared as essential service

The supply of electricity has been declared as an essential service by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Tuk-tuk driver gets license suspended for 10 years

A trishaw driver who pleaded guilty of driving under the influence of liquor without a driving license when his driving license had been suspended for six months for a similar offense was fined Rs.75,000 and his driving license suspended for ten years by Hatton District Judge and Magistrate Asanga Hettiwatta.

Finance Ministry admits scarcity of four essential items

While saying that there is a minor shortage in four essential commodities, the Finance Ministry said there is an urgent need of setting up an effective mechanism where imported goods reach the general public in a more transparent manner.

IMF says Sri Lanka has not sought its financial assistance

Sri Lanka has not sought financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund, which stands ready to discuss options for the country to deal with its debt burden, IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said on Thursday.

Hazlewood, Zampa star as Aussies beat SL by 20

Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa bowled Australia to victory in a rusty first home limited-overs outing of the summer that nonetheless saw Sri Lanka defeated by 20 runs on the DLS method in a rain-affected T20 International at the SCG.

Head-on bus collision kills one, injures 15 in Wewurukannala

One individual was killed while another 15 were wounded in a head-on bus collision in Wewurukannala on the Dickwella-Beliaththa main road today.

Mangala, the lone politician who stood for LGBTQ rights: Buddika Pathirana

Whilst stating that late Mangala Samarawera is the first and only Sri Lankan MP who stood for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights, SJB MP Buddhika Pathirana said today Sri Lanka should uphold these rights.

AMS wants concrete solution for salary anomalies, writes to Health Minister

While saying that the ongoing trade union move by health workers to declare a continuous strike is ill timed and somewhat selfish at this critical juncture, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) stressed importance of working for long lasting solution in correcting salary anomalies.

No scheduled power cuts until Monday PUCSL Chairman

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided not to have scheduled power cuts until Monday (February 14) due to sufficient fuel stocks for electricity in the country.

Tree planting on Valentine’s Day

While adding a new meaning to the Valentine’s Day, the Environment Ministry has decided to introduce a tree planting programme under the theme ’A plant for love’ on February 14.

Opposition raises concern over non-appointment of Oversight Committees

The opposition today questioned the delay in appointing Sectoral Oversight Committees for two years and urged the Speaker to look into the matter without delay.

20 doctors, 60 staff members contract COVID-19 at Badulla Hospital

It has been reported that 20 doctors and 60 staff members of the Badulla General Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19, a top hospital official said.

Derailment delays upcountry train service: Control room

The train services on the country’s main railway line have been disrupted due to a train derailment near the Watawala railway station this morning, the railway control room said.