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.

Health workers to go on strike tomorrow

The Government health workers will resort to an indefinite trade union action starting from 7.00 am tomorrow (07) over government’s failure to address their grievances, despite recent token strikes.

2021(2022) A/L exam starts tomorrow: Exam Com. Gen.

The 2021(2022) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination will be held tomorrow at 8.30 a.m at 2,438 examination centres around the country, Examinations Commissioner General L.M.D Dharmasena said.

Question of going to IMF would not have arisen if there was financial discipline - Ravi

The question of going to the IMF would not have arisen if there was financial discipline, one time Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake said.

Probe underway into clash at mosque in Dummalasuriya

The Dummalasuriya Police has launched an investigation into a clash at a mosque at Yagamwela in Dummalasuriya in which two persons were injured.

Two unidentified bodies found in Wellawatta beach: One identified as missing Maldivian student

One of the two bodies discovered on the Wellawatte beach yesterday has been identified as that of the missing Maldivian national.

India singing legend Lata Mangeshkar dies at 92

Lata Mangeshkar, one of India’s most venerated singers who sang tens of thousands of songs in her lifetime, has died at the age of 92.

Youth stabbed to death in Dehiwala

An 18-year old youth was stabbed to death at Kalderapara in Dehiwala early this morning.

Moroccan boy trapped in well for four days dies

A five-year-old Moroccan boy who was trapped in a well for four days has died, despite painstaking efforts to rescue him.

Two unidentified bodies found in Wellawatta beach

Two unidentified male dead bodies have been found on the beach at Wellawatte in Colombo today.

No plans of lockdown despite spike in COVID cases, says Govt.

The government has so far undecided to go for a lockdown despite a sharp increase in the number of COVID positive cases over the last few days.

Full vaccination compulsory from April 30, Gazette issued

While issuing an extraordinary gazette notification the Health Ministry announced that people should not enter public places without having proof of being fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus from April 30.

Ensure participation of TN fishers in Katchatheevu fest: Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday expressed concern over the denial of permission for fishermen-devotees of Tamil Nadu to participate in the annual festival of St Antony’s Church at Katchatheevu.

No preliminary report has arrived yet: GMR

No preliminary report had been received regarding the attack on the Meenagaya Intercity Express Train (6079) at the Kekirawa Railway Station on January 14, Railways General Manager (GMR) Dhammika Jayasundara said.

PTA amendments do not eliminate draconian provisions: Zuhair

Former MP M. M. Zuhair PC, who issued a statement on the proposed amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No 48 of 1979 (PTA) do not eliminate the draconian aspects of the original PTA.

Statement made by Chairperson of Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust decried by Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry notes with concern the numerous misleading statements contained in the testimony of Chairperson of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust Ambika Satkunanathan, during an exchange of views on the situation of human and labour rights in Sri Lanka at the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights on January 27, 2022, a statement said.

Chandimal Jayasinghe demands Rs.200 million as damages from Pushpika

Entrepreneur and cosmetologist Chandimal Jayasinghe has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.200 million as damages from Pushpika de Silva for allegedly making a defamatory statement regarding him in an interview with a YouTube channel.

Foreign Minister to undertake two-day visit to India

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris will leave for India on February 6 for a two-day visit, an informed source said.

No order yet on Ranjan’s release: Prisons Spokesman

No order has so far been received over the release of former actor-turned politician and parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake, prisons spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.

440 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 440 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 580,220, the Health Ministry said.

Opposition boycotts Independence Day celebrations

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and a few other opposition political parties representing Parliament boycotted the 74th national Independence Day celebrations at the Independence square today.

IMF says it is ’ready’ to help Sri Lanka - if asked

The International Monetary Fund is ready to discuss ’’options’’ with Sri Lanka if the government asks for financial support, its mission chief for SRi Lanka told AFP on Thursday.

Freedom is not something that ends with victory: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said freedom is not something that ends with the victory and it is something that should be won day by day.

Difficult times do not last forever: President

Claiming that difficult times do not last forever, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today all the people have an enormous responsibility to build a positive attitude in the country to face the crises successfully.

UK Govt. takes ‘very seriously’ on allegations mentioned in ITJP report on SL

While claiming that the UK government takes ‘very seriously’ the allegations of torture and sexual violence in the report ’Sri Lanka: Torture and Sexual Violence by Security Forces 2020-2021’, compiled by the report by the International Truth and Justice Project, Britain on Wednesday said that they have already raised serious concerns around the deteriorating human rights situation in SL.