Heavy traffic on road in front of Opposition Leader’s Office

A heavy traffic congestion was reported on the road in front of the Opposition Leader’s Office on Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha due to the SJB protest.

Grade 6–9 classes to resume on Monday 

The government has decided to reopen all classes from Grades Six to Nine from Monday (22).

SL not likely to experience V shape economic recovery: Ranil

Sri Lanka is not likely to experience a V shape economic recovery given the global issues and local issues which Sri Lanka has created by its own self, UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

11 office transport services launched in Colombo today: Ministry

The Transport Ministry today launched eleven Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) bus services to facilitate the office community.

Govt. approves cinematic field as an industry

The government has granted approval for registering the cinematic field as an industry.

SJB Protest in Colombo - Police prevent people entering city: SJB

Public security minister Sarath Weerasekara said in parliament that the police were only helping the health authorities to maintain the guidelines issued in order to prevent further spreading of COVID-19 pandemic by putting up barricades and checking buses which approached Colombo.

Tution classes to resume today with 50% attendees: Health Ministry

The health ministry has issued the relevant health guidelines to resume private tuition classes from today.

Singapore Airlines to resume daily services to Colombo

Singapore Airlines (SIA) today resumes daily services between Colombo and Singapore, increasing flight frequencies to seven times weekly from five weekly flights.

Tourism promotion programs targeting the season approved

Implementing tourism promotion programs targeting the upcoming vacation season has been approved by the government targeting the tourist markets in UK, Germany, France and India, the main source markets in the Asian region.

Govt. urges people not to resort to panic buying

The Government urged people not to resort to panic buying at fuel stations as there was no fuel shortage in the country at present.

Second group from priority list to get booster vaccine from tomorrow

Those above 60 years of age will be administered with Pfizer vaccine as booster dose from tomorrow (17), State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

Another lockdown not ruled out

The Government has not ruled out another lockdown if the number of people infected with the coronavirus sees a rapid rise, the Health Ministry said.

Charith & Wanindu included in ICC’s Most Valuable Team of the Tournament

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the most valuable team of the tournament after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the UAE in which two Sri Lankan players, Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga included in the 12-player squad.

Rise in cases in next two days can’t be controlled now: Dr. Herath

The increase in COVID cases that could be experienced in next one or two days can’t be controlled at present as it is a result of people’s reckless behaviour within last 10 to 15 days, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

Report of Committee appointed to review PTA submitted to President

The report of the Committee of Officers appointed to review the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 was presented to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (15),President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Covid-19 death toll exceeds 14,000

The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka exceeded 14,000 with 21 more deaths being reported today.

Guidelines to be followed from Nov. 16 to 30 issued; public gatherings banned

Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena has issued a set of guidelines effective from November 16 to 30 on public & work-related activities where several restrictions have been eased.

Two arrested with 77 pandrol clips

Two people were arrested yesterday for removing pandrol clips from the railway line between Colombo Fort and Secretariat Halt Railway Station, Railway Security Force Superintendent Anura Premarathne said.

Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother released from detention: Movement restricts to CMC city limits

The Supreme Court today ordered to release Riyaj Bathiudeen, the brother of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen from the detention order under strict conditions.

Sri Lanka approves first oral antiviral pill to treat Covid-19

Covid-19 Technical Committee, the panel of medical experts, has endorsed the use of Molnupiravir, the first oral antiviral pill developed to treat patients down with SARS-CoV-2, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said.

Tunisian nabbed with cocaine worth over Rs.180mn at BIA

A Tunisian national was arrested with a stock of of cocaine worth Rs. 180 million by the Customs Narcotics Division at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery closed for 50 days; no fuel shortage : Minister

The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will be temporarily closed for 50 days from today (15), Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Three suspects caught with ICE worth over Rs. 24 mn in Talaimannar

Three suspects aboard a dinghy have been arrested with about 3.1 kg of Crystal Methamphetamine, known as ICE during an operation by the Navy in the seas off Sandbanks, Talaimannar today.

Keheliya doubts Teachers’ protest a deliberate attempt to spread virus

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella today said he doubted whether the recent protests staged by teachers and principals violating health protocols were a deliberate attempt to spread the COVID-19 virus.

Justice Ministry tender calling for legal system to be digitalized marred in alleged irregularity?

As plans are afoot to digitalize the entire court and judicial system in Sri Lanka in order to expedite legal proceedings and cases, the process to call for expressions of interest for a tender by leading IT companies in Sri Lanka has been marred in irregularity allegedly by a technical committee which has been appointed within the Ministry of Technology who have shortlisted two companies within a matter of weeks.

Colombo Magistrate refuses to ban SJB Hyde Park protest

Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddika Sri Ragala today refused to ban the protest which will be held by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya tomorrow at Hyde Park.

Police obtain orders from several courts in WP from SJB holding rallies

Police today obtained orders from several courts in the Western Province preventing Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) from carrying out protests tomorrow, police said.

Body of girl washed ashore on Mannar beach

A body of a girl was recovered from the Kondaipitti beach in Mannar yesterday (14), Police said.

Turkish Airlines suspends flights to 4 countries including SL over COVID-19

Turkish Airlines (THY) suspended flights to Brazil, South Africa, Nepal and Sri Lanka as part of measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, the flag carrier’s Senior Vice President of Media Relations Yahya Üstün said Sunday.

Remaining Grades in Govt. Schools to resume next week: Dinesh

Academic activities in remaining Grades in Government schools will resume next week, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said today.