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.

Drug peddler ’Abba’ shot dead

Notorious drug peddler Thelge Dilan Sameera Pieris, alias ’’Abba’’ was shot dead following a shooting incident in Moratuwa last night, the police said.

Another critical scenario inevitable if present situation continues further: GMOA

If the country continues to see higher number of COVID-19 Omicrone variant positive cases, and if the current situation prevails further in the next couple of weeks, there would be a possibility that the country could face another critical scenario, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) General Committee Member Dr. Prasad Kolambage said.

Catholic Church rings alarm bells

The Catholic Church has raised concerns of the possibility of politicians putting the lives of the general public at risk to win an election.

Julie Chung appointed new US Ambassador to Sri Lanka

Former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung has been appointed as the new Ambassador to Sri Lanka.

Court issues order preventing Nursing Trade Union from carrying out strike

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing Government Nursing Officers’ Association from carrying out trade union activities causing hardships to the patients.

Bring in laws against unreasonable strikes in essential service sectors: Minister

Laws should be introduced to take stern action against trade unionists who resort to strikes by crippling essential services and leaving the lives of innocent people in danger, Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardane said today.

TikToker harassing wild elephant in Habarana, fined Rs. 200,000

The jeep driver who was involved in a Tik Tok video seen harassing a wild elephant on the Trincomalee-Habarana Road, was arrested by the Wild Life officials and released on bail after being fined Rs. 200,000.

Annual Scrabble Bash on February 26

The Annual Scrabble Bash organised by the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) will be held on February 26 at the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation at 110, Ketawalamulla Lane, Colombo 10.

Mahanama faces unfortunate incident at airport

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain and ICC Elite Panel Match Referee Roshan Mahanama said he had to face difficulties in clearing security to board the flight to Pakistan as he did not possess a vaccine card with all three vaccines from Sri Lanka.

Present true status of foreign reserves in Parliament: Ranil

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today requested that the true situation of the foreign reserves in the country and monthly economic situation reports be presented to Parliament.

PM challenges Opposition for elections; SJB accepts challenge

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday challenged the main opposition for an immediate election to show the government’s strength, a challenge which was accepted by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya today.

Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen files writ petition claiming salary with back-wages

Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was at the centre of the controversy surrounding the alleged sterilisation of female patients has filed a writ petition seeking an order directing authorities to pay the salary due and payable to him including back-wages.

Hambantota MC Mayor Eraj Fernando resigns

Eraj Ravindra Fernando, who was involved in the “toy pistol’ case several years ago, has resigned from his post as the Mayor of Hambantota Municipal Council (MC).

10-year-old boy found dead; parents arrested

The parents and the grandmother of a 10-year-old boy have been arrested over an incident in which the boy was found dead on the bed in a room inside the house in Badalgama.

Fresh push to promote ‘wedding tourism’ in Sri Lanka

Plans are underway to promote Sri Lanka as a safe wedding destination, which would not only help uplift the hard-hit tourism industry but also the event management, fashion design and other supporting sectors that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

SL sweeping through Omicron wave

Health experts on ground yesterday sounded alarm bells as the country was presently sweeping through an Omicron wave with nearly 20,000 people infected within the past 10 days alone.

SL’s laws don’t allow digital transformation: Namal

The government regulations are the major bottleneck that holds back the public and state sectors from embracing digitalisation, according to Digital Technology and Enterprise Development State Minister Namal Rajapaksa.

SJB requests Prez to come for discussion on forex crisis

Main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to come for a dialogue with them and understand the real extent of the forex crisis Sri Lanka is facing at the moment.

CB reiterates commitment to honour all debt obligations

The Central Bank yesterday reiterated that Sri Lanka is committed to honour all forthcoming debt obligations and thereby maintain the country’s unblemished record of debt servicing.

Hejaaz Hizbullah leaves from remand custody

Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah today left from remand custody after fulfilling his bail conditions before Puttlalam High Court.

New bill worked out envisaging fine, jail term for cruelty against animals

The government has worked out a new piece of legislation which, if enacted, provides for cruelty against animals a punishable offence warranting a fine or jail term, or both.

Local and foreign forces trying to topple govt.: Prez

Claiming that the local and foreign forces were trying to topple the government and prevent its journey, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today requested people to have faith in him and assured to fully implement the government’s national policy framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” within the next three years.

Labour Ministry against taxing EPF, ETF profits: Labour Minister

The Labour Ministry had already informed the Treasury and the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue, its objections to the proposal of imposing a tax on EPF and ETF profits, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

Some AG’s Dept. officers passing confidential information to outsiders: Govt. MP

Some officers attached to the Attorney General’s Department are engaged in passing confidential information to outsiders and influencing court cases, a government MP told Parliament today.

UK welcomes release of Hejaaz Hizbullah

The UK government has welcomed the release on bail of Hejaaz Hizbullah, Ahnaf Jazeem, and other detainees held under the PTA in recent months.

Over 12,000 COVID cases in 10 days

Over 12,000 COVID-19 infections have been reported within the past 10 days in Sri Lanka.

Case against Nalaka Godahewa two others fixed for further trial

The case filed against State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and two others, in connection with their alleged involvement in conspiring to misappropriate Rs. 5 million of funds belonging to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was today fixed for further trial by Colombo High Court.

Freelance journalist Keerthi Ratnayake granted bail

Keerthi Ratnayake, a defence and political analyst attached to Lanka e-News was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.