Tourism industry nets US$ 130Mn revenue in first 10 months

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said, despite Covid pandemic, the tourism industry in Sri Lanka has earned US$ 130 million from January to October.

Task Force for One Country, One Law; new members included, references amended

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a new gazette notification has included new members to the Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law and has amended its terms of reference.

Sinovac, Sinopharm, Covaxin to be added to UK’s approved vaccines list

Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin COVID-19 vaccines will be added to United Kingdom’s list of approved vaccines for inbound travel from November 22, benefitting more fully vaccinated people from countries such as Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India, the British government has announced.

WHO warns of shortage of 1-2 bln COVID vaccine syringes

There could be a shortage of one to two billion syringes needed to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in 2022 which could also impact routine immunisations and undermine needle safety, the World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday.

Draft Constitution at the end of this year: PM informs Parliament

The committee of experts appointed to draft a new constitution was expected to submit its final draft at the end of this year, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa informed Parliament today.

VIASL listed several budget proposals to purchase quality vehicle at reasonable price

With the intention of developing the motor vehicle industry while increasing government revenue, the Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has listed down several budget proposals to purchase a quality vehicle at a reasonable price.

Schools in Mannar, Killinochchi districts closed until further notice

Due to the inclement weather, the government agents in charge of Mannar and Killinochchi districts have decided to close all government schools today (10) until further notice in the district for students.

Death toll increases to 20, 5 injured, one missing due to adverse weather: DMC

The death toll from the adverse weather conditions has increased to 20, while five people have been injured and one person is missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Mawanella Deputy Chairman, two PS members arrested

The Deputy Chairman of the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha and two other PS members have been arrested by the police.

Bay of Bengal low pressure area to move towards TN during next 36 hours: Met. Dept.

The low pressure area currently in the south-east Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify further in to a depression during next 36 hours and move West-Northwestwards towards North Tamil Nadu (TN), closer to North coast of Sri Lanka, the Meteorology Department said.

Protests by political activists during the COVID crisis caused distress to people: Lokuge

People are suffering due to the protests carried out by various trade unions and political activists at a time when the COIVD pandemic situation is at a certain control level, Power and Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

Over 9,000 foreign tourists visited Sri Lanka last week: Tourism Minister

Tourism Minister Prasanna Rantunga said 9,545 foreign tourists visited Sri Lanka last week.

Visiting WB VP reaffirms support for investments in people and resilient recovery

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Hartwig Schafer yesterday concluded a six-day visit to Sri Lanka, reiterating the World Bank’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasising the importance of investing in human capital.

Three underage missing girls return home

The three underage girls who had disappeared from Colombo 12 on Monday, returned home this evening, police said.

718 more COVID-19 cases reported today

A total of 718 more COVID-19 patients have been detected within today,the Government Information Department said.

Grace period granted for traffic fine payments expires on Nov. 14

Steps have been taken to end the grace period granted to pay traffic fines from next Sunday (14), Post Master General Ranjith Ariyarathne said.

Australia lowers travel advice on Sri Lanka

Australia has reviewed and lowered a travel advice on Sri Lanka due to the reduced impacts of COVID-19 in the country, the latest travel advisory issued on Monday said.

Zahran’s wife confessed Zahran met intelligence officers prior to attacks: Harin

Zahran’s wife had confessed that her husband had met the intelligence officers several times prior to Easter Sunday attacks, SJB MP Harin Fernando told Parliament today.

Demand for kerosene two times higher, 550 metric tons sell daily: Gammanpila

The demand for kerosene is two times higher than earlier and considering the previous times, a total of 550 metric tons of kerosene is sold daily, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Death toll due to adverse weather rises to 12: DMC

The death toll due to adverse weather has risen to 12, including eight men, two women, and two children, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said while issuing a situation report.

Three underage girls missing from Colombo 12

A complaint has been lodged with the Keselwatta Police over the disappearance of three underage girls residing in Colombo 12 who had gone missing since Monday.

SL bound to pay US$ 8 million to Chinese Company: Vijitha

Sri Lanka will have to pay US$ 8 million to the Chinese company - Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd. according to the terms agreed by the Banks when opening Letter of Credit (LC), National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath said today.

Eight Colombo-Kandy trains cancelled indefinitely: SLRSMU

The Railway Department has cancelled eight trains that were in service between Colombo Fort and Kandy until further notice due to adverse weather, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

Naval, fishing communities advised not to venture to sea

The naval and fishing communities were advised not to venture into the south-west Bay of Bengal sea area and the deep and shallow sea areas around the island until further notice, the Metrology Department said.

Thirimanna says no intention of retiring from cricket right now

Cricketer Lahiru Thirimanna said that he has no intentions to retire from Sri Lanka Cricket as he is in good space of his career right now.

Upcountry railway line disrupted, services on main line limited to Rambukkana from Fort: SLRSMU

Train services on upcountry railway lines were disrupted due to adverse weather and train services on the Main Line limited to Rambukkana from Colombo Fort, Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

NPC appoints provincial directors to investigate complaints against Police officers

The National Police Commission ( NPC) had appointed 10 new Provincial Directors to entertain and investigate public complaints against police officers.

SLAF on standby to assist floods and landslides situation

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) are on standby to deploy aircraft and related personnel to provide relief and rescue operations in the event of possible floods and landslides in several parts of the country due to the adverse weather conditions.

Deadline for A/L applications has been extended until Nov. 20

The closing date of applications for GCE Advance Level (A/L) examinations has been extended until November 20, from tomorrow, the Examinations Department said.

Navy foils illegal migration attempt, 19 persons held in Chilaw

Nineteen persons who attempted to migrate illegally from the country via sea routes have been arrested by the navy during a operation in the beach area of Chilaw.