Pushpika’s ‘2021 Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World’ title removed

Pushpika De Silva’s title as ‘2021 Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World’ has been denounced, National Director, Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World Chandimal Jayasinghe, announced.

SL to receive 400,000 RAT kits by next week: Prof. Jayasumana

While admitting that there was a shortage of Rapid Antigen Test kits in the country, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said today Sri Lanka would receive a consignment of 400,000 RAT kits within the next week.

Customs seize Rs.19Mn worth Kush, Cocaine at CME

A contraband of Cocaine and a fine variety of Cannabis called ‘Kush’ worth over Rs.19 million, which had been sent through five parcel mails from the United States, Canada and the Netherlands were seized by Customs officials at the Central Mail Exchange today.

135 seized Indian fishing boats auctioned in Jaffna

The Navy has auctioned 135 Indian fishing boats that were seized for poaching Sri Lankan waters in the recent months.

Two German women allegedly raped by locals in Kollupitiya and Tangalle

A Sri Lankan man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 32-year-old German woman at a hotel in Marine Drive in Kollupitiya.

SL imported US $ 611.53 worth plastics by 2020: Amaraweera

The United Nations COMTRADE Database has revealed that Sri Lanka had imported plastic goods worth US $ 611.53 million by 2020, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Members appointed to COPE, COPA

Members who were appointed to the Committe on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) were announced by Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya today.

Large egg stocks stuck in warehouses due to gas, flour shortages cause price decreases: Egg Producers'

Egg prices have been reduced by a huge margin to clear the stocks which were stuck at warehouses due to the recent domestic gas shortage and wheat flour issues in the country, the All Island Egg Producers’ Association (AIEPA) said.

Sajith in battle with Champika to secure opposition leadership: Johnston

Heated arguments erupted in Parliament today between the government and the SJB with Chief Government Whip Johnston Fernando stating that the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa has launched a battle with MP Patali Champika Ranawaka to secure his post in the House.

BC launches probe into PM’s private jet trip to Tirupati

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has launched an investigation into a complaint against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa over his personal trip to the Tirupati Temple in India using a private jet last year.

People who get only 2 doses show a trend of being victims of Omicrone: GMOA

People who got only the two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are showing a trend of being victims of the virus and there is a clear resistance of getting the third dose due to misinformation spreading among the people, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Assistant Secretary Dr. Samantha Ananda said.

Trinco Oil Tank Farm agreement tabled in Parliament

The Agreement that was signed to develop the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm with Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) was tabled in Parliament by Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila a short while ago.

Maldives police team in Sri Lanka over probe linked to Maldivian student’s death

Commissioner of Maldives Police, Mohamed Hameed has revealed that the Maldives Police Service (MPS) is also involved in the probe launched into the death of a Maldivian youth who was reported missing in neighboring Sri Lanka on Friday.

Samanmali alias ’’Poosi’’ arrested with over 1kgs of heroin in Dehiwala

The Special Task Force (STF) of Police has arrested a woman known as Sumedha Samanmali alias ’’Poosi’’, the wife of drugs trafficker ’Army Indika’ with over 1kgs of heroin in Dehiwala.

79,904 traffic offences, 461 accidents and seven fatal accidents in expressways in 2021

Whilst it was revealed that there has been 79,904 traffic offences, 461 accidents and seven fatal accidents in expressways in 2021, the Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando has instructed Head of Expressway Traffic Police SSP Chintaka Gunaratne to find ways and means to minimise these offences and accidents.

Release essential items at Customs; President instructs officials

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the relevant officials to immediately release the containers of essential items held up at the Customs.

’’My mother still listens to her songs’’, Ranatunga says after Lata Mangeshkar’s demise

Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga can’t forget his first meeting with India’s Nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar, who at the age of 92, passed away in Mumbai on Sunday.

Price of rice controlled by large scale rice mill owners: D. E.W. Gunasekara

Senior Leader of Sri Lanka Communist Party D. E.W. Gunasekara said the main large scale rice mill owners were sympathisers of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) who purchase and stock 46 per cent of the country’s paddy production and after about a year they release the stock of rice at the prices of their choice and that the price of rice is under their control.

Will stop unlawful fisheries activities by Indian fishermen: Devananda

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said he would try to stop unlawful fisheries activities by Indian fishermen in the Sri Lankan waters by somehow or other.

Three killed, one injured following earth slips in Madawala

Three persons were buried alive after a mound of earth collapsed on them in Madawala in the Wattegama Police area of Kandy, the police said.

Fuel price increase by CPC inevitable: CEB union

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) United Trade Union Alliance Convener Ranjan Jayalal said yesterday he believes the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation(CPC) will increase fuel prices in the aftermath of Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) doing it.

Go for snap polls: SJB tells Govt.

Whilst stating that the government has completely lost control of the country’s administration with private companies deciding fuel prices etc, the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today called for an election to determine the pulse of the people.

Case against Swiss Embassy employee Ganiya Bannister fixed for trial

The case filed against Swiss Embassy employee Ganiya Bannister Francis for allegedly making a false claim that she has been abducted and sexually harassed was today fixed for trial by Colombo High Court.

Case against former CM S.M. Ranjith: Defence raise preliminary objections

The Colombo High Court today fixed for February 28 to deliver its order regarding the preliminary objections raised by two accused including former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon in connection with a corruption case filed by Bribery Commission.

Australia’s international border will finally reopen to tourists

Australia will reopen its borders to fully vaccinated tourists from February 21, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced, ending some of the world’s strictest and longest-running pandemic travel restrictions.

Court of Appeal grants bail on Hejaaz Hizbullah

The Court of Appeal today ordered to release Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah on bail after nearly two years in detention and remand custody.

Udaya paints bleak picture for Sri Lanka

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has painted a bleak picture for Sri Lanka which he says will take time to be rectified.

Civil society slam Foreign Ministry over statement against Ambika

A number of civil society organisations and individuals have come out in support of human rights lawyer and advocate, Ambika Satkunanathan after the Foreign Ministry criticised her over comments she had made to the EU Parliament’s Sub-Committee on Human Rights.

Haphazard power cuts are a result of conspiracy: Johnston

One feels that haphazard power cuts too are a result of a conspiracy, Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said over the weekend.

LIOC to increase fuel price from tonight

Due to the huge increase in international fuel prices, the Lanka IOC increased their retail selling prices from midnight today.