Parliament cluster growing

Whilst Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has recovered from COVID-19, the number of staff members in Parliament who have contacted COVID-19 has risen to 27, a spokesman from the House media unit said yesterday.

Jan. tourist arrivals down 8% from Dec. 2021

Tourist arrivals to the country contracted from the numbers achieved in December despite several promotional efforts taken up by tourism authorities to promote destination Sri Lanka.

SL begins groundwork to borrow US$ 200mn from Pakistan

The government has commenced groundwork to secure US$ 200 million credit line extended by the Government of Pakistan while a US$1 billion credit line from India is expected to materialise next week.

Two die, three injured in head-on collision at Warakapola

Two persons including a seven-year-old child died and three others were injured when a CTB bus collided head-on with a three-wheeler in Thulhiriya in Warakaola police area this evening, Police said.

Dramatic increase in COVID-19 deaths

A total of 32 more COVID-19 deaths, which occurred on Monday were confirmed today bringing total number of fatalities to 15,473, the Government Information Department said.

Nine envoys present credentials to President

Nine new envoys comprising seven Ambassadors and two High Commissioners presented credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House this afternoon (01), Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

NPP accuses police of not conducting proper investigations

Claiming that the egg attack on JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was a criminal offence committed by an organised gang, the Lawyers for National People’s Power today alleged that the police had not recorded even a statement from the two suspects arrested in connection with the incident.

Cabinet clearance for 25% Surcharge Tax Bill

The Cabinet has cleared the draft Surcharge Tax Bill, which would impose one-off 25 percent surcharge tax on individuals or companies with over Rs.2 billion income for the 2020/2021 financial year.

Power failures reported from several areas

Multiple areas in the country are currently experiencing power outages, our correspondents said.

Crocodile spotted in Pamunugama handed over to Wildlife Dept.

A crocodile that was spotted in the Pamunugama area has been handed over to the Wildlife Department officials.

SC determines it has no jurisdiction to hear Young Journalist Association’s petition

The Supreme Court has determined that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the Special Determination petition filed by the Sri Lanka Young Journalist’s Association challenging the constitutionality of the Personal Data Protection bill, since it has been filed out of time.

Money Laundering case against Namal and others fixed for further trial

The case against Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and five others under Money Laundering Act was today fixed for further trial by Colombo High Court.

Police offer Rs.1Mn reward for information on two suspects wanted over Panadura shooting

The Police said they would award a reward of Rs. One million for successful information on the suspects wanted over the recent shooting incident in front of the Kethumathi Hospital in Panadura.

Generator at Norochcholai Coal Power Plant malfunctions again: CEB

One of the generators at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has malfunctioned again, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Additional General Manager and media spokesman Andrew Navamani said.

Clearing debris of ill- fated tanker to complete within 120 days

The clearing of debris and burnt hull of the ill-fated MV Express Pearl tanker which had met with disaster is scheduled to be completed within 120 days.

Update: Four killed after moving train smashes three-wheeler in Ratgama

Four persons died after a train plying from Galle to Vavuniya collided with a three-wheeler at Rillamba Junction in Ratgama, Galle this morning.

Policy decision taken to decarbonise by year 2050

The government has taken a policy decision to achieve the goal of decarbonaization by the year 2050 while taking action to minimize gas emissions in the industries where electricity and transport sectors as well as thermal power utilization.

Basil acquitted, released from almanac case

The Colombo High Court today acquitted and released Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa and and former Director-General of Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka from the controversial almanac case.

IOC agrees to supply 40,000 MT diesel to Energy Ministry

The Indian Oil Company (IOC) has agreed to supply a shipment of 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel.

Govt. nod to obtain 450,000 barrels of crude oil from Cyprus

The government has approved the plan to obtain crude oil for the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery by July 2022 from Terra Nevis Group in Cyprus.

Jobs in South Korea rise steadily; 4th batch left this year: SLBFE

While showing an increase in job opportunities in South Korea, 169 people left for for that country during the month of January, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Alice, the first all-electric passenger airplane, prepares to fly

The Alice, a plane developed by Israeli company Eviation, went through engine testing last week at Arlington Municipal Airport north of Seattle. According to Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay, the Alice is just weeks away from its first flight.

January inflation hits fresh high of 14.2%

Sri Lanka’s consumer prices hit a 13-year high in January, as the country continues to grapple with import restrictions, foreign exchange shortages and failed harvests.

Health Ministry makes no changes to existing guidelines despite Omicron spread

The existing health guidelines which were issued effective from January 1 to 31 has been further extended until the end of February, the Health Ministry said.

Fixed price of Rs.75 for coconut through Sathosa: Bandula

An agreement was signed with the Coconut Development Authority (CDA) to allow consumers to buy coconuts through Lanka Sathosa outlets at a fixed price of Rs. 75 per nut throughout the year, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

JR’s grandson says he was attacked with chili powder mixed water

SLFP (Sri Lanka Freedom Party) Member of Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Pradeep Jayewardene had come under attack with chilli powder by another member of CMC today.

SL awaiting a sample of organic fertiliser to replace the rejected cargo

Sri Lanka was awaiting a sample of organic fertiliser from the Qingdao Seawin Biotech Company (QSBC) of China before the new consignment of fertiliser to replace the rejected cargo which had been contaminated is shipped to the country, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

SJB hopeful that Ranjan will be released on Independence Day

Whilst the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is expecting that former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is serving a prison sentence for contempt of court to be released on February 4, 2022, the Spokesman for Prisons Department Chandana Ekanayake said the matter could be confirmed by Thursday.

A/L tuition classes prohibited after Feb. 1

Conducting coaching classes or tuition targeted at the 2021(2022) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be prohibited after February 1, the Department of Examinations said.

People use Rs.960mn worth sachets, 5,475 mn lunch sheets a year: Amaraweera

People in the country use sachets worth Rs.960 million and 5,475 million lunch sheets a year, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.