COVID Task Force responsible if private bus service collapses: Gemunu

The COVID task force should take full responsibility if the private bus service collapses, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) said.

Special operation finds over 4,000 people without face masks in WP

The Police yesterday warned nearly 10,000 people for not wearing face masks properly to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during a special operation conducted in the Western Province.

Human rights situation in SL continues to deteriorate: UK

The human rights situation in Sri Lanka continued to deteriorate during the first half of 2021, the United Kingdom said in its latest report on the global human rights situation.

Students’ appeal to postpone practical exams directed to Education Minister

Requests received regarding the postponement of the dates of the practical exams by students for GCE Advanced Level (A/L) exams will be directed to the attention of the Education Minister, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Suicide bombs, pressure, artillery bombs buried by LTTE unearthed in Jaffna

The Army and Police personnel recovered suicide bombs, pressure, artillery bombs, anti-tank mines, weapons, ammunition and many lethal mines unearthed from a private land in Manthuvil, Jaffna

Digital methods for manual payment counters in expressways

The government has approved the proposal to introduce the LANKAQR methodology for manual pay counters on the expressways managed by the Road Development Authority (RDA).

Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicide imports allowed from today: Aluthgamage

Permission will be granted to import chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides from today, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

BIA expansion project phase II to be declared open tomorrow

The second phase of the expansion of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayaka will be officially declared open tomorrow (25 November).

Govt. approves for policy for local media

A cabinet approval has been granted to prepare a Sri Lankan media policy, paying special attention to the existing laws applicable to journalists and media institutions and preparing policies and ethics.

Air traffic to Sri Lanka set to increase further from December

Sri Lanka’s aviation traffic will increase further in the coming weeks with four new airlines gearing up to launch direct flights to the country from December.

Restore Pahala Kadugannawa area, rebuilt shops immediately: Johnston

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday instructed the relevant authorities to restore the Pahala Kadugannawa area on the Colombo-Kandy main road and to rebuilt the shops immediately.

Cloudy skies over the island today: Met. Dept.

Due to a prevailing low-level atmospheric disturbance located to the south-east of Sri Lanka, cloudy skies could be expected over the island, the Meteorology Department said today.

Human Rights are central to U. S. foreign policy in Sri Lanka

U. S. Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, at a meeting with a delegation of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Global Tamil Forum (GTF), underscored that human rights are central to his country’s foreign policy in Sri Lanka.

Significant rise in number of COVID positive cases in schools daily: CTU

Following the resumption of school activities in all grades at various stages, a significant number of students, teachers, and non-academic staff reported contracting the COVID-19 virus on a daily basis, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) Chief Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Red alert issued to 10 districts; over 100mm rainfall forecast: Met Dept.

A red alert (Take Action) on heavy deluge has been issued for ten districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Passenger ferry capsized in Kinniya: EP governor calls for immediate inquiry

Eastern Province (EP) Governor Anuradha Yahampath called for an immediate inquiry into the unfortunate incident in which a ferry capsized in the Kurinjankerni lagoon in Kinniya today.

Kinniya ferry tragedy: MP's house comes under attack

The residence of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MP M. S. Thowfeek in Kinniya has been attacked by a group of residents following the ferry mishap in which six were drowned.

SL bound to go for dialogue with IMF this December: Ranil

Sri Lanka is bound by section 4 of the UN Monetary and Financial Conference to go for a dialogue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in December this year, UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.

Health Ministry apprehensive about imminent danger as deaths rise

The Health Ministry is highly concerned with the dramatic increase in the number of COVID deaths, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

Limited number of spectators to be allowed for West Indies Tests, LPL

A limited number of spectators will be allowed for the Lanka Premier League (LPL), Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa tweeted today.

MP Mahinda Samarasinghe to resign soon

MP Mahinda Samarasinghe today announced that he is going to resign from Parliament in a few days’ time and proceed to the USA to accept the post of Sri Lankan Ambassador in that country.

Sajith and Maddumabandara to raise objections against Diana’s petition

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Maddumabandara through their lawyers have informed Supreme Court that objections will be filed against the expulsion petition filed by Parliamentarian Diana Gamage.

Govt aims to consolidate large taxpayers: Dr. P.B. Jayasundara

The Sri Lankan government will aim to consolidate large taxpayers, as 80% of tax revenue is generated by 20% of taxpayers, Secretary to the President, Dr. P.B. Jayasudnera said in Colombo recently.

Heated argument in Parliament over MP Tissakuttiarachchi’s conduct

A heated argument over the conduct of MP Janaka Tissakuttiarachchi brought ruling and opposition MPs close to exchanging blows today.

Registrar of Pesticides removed from the post

Registrar of Pesticides, Dr. J.A. Sumith, who issued the Gazette prohibiting ban on Glyphosate has been removed from the post with immediate effect.

Fuel Price Formula should be implemented immediately: Gammanpila

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today if the Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund is not implemented, at least the Fuel Price Formula should be implemented immediately.

At least 6 killed, 11 hospitalised after passenger ferry capsized in Kinniya

At least six persons were killed and 11 others were hospitalised after a passenger ferry capsized in the Kuringankerni lagoon in Kinniya today.

Gazette lifting ban on Glyphosate to be revoked; Registrar of Pesticides to be removed – Minister

Steps will be taken to remove the Registrar of Pesticides who had issued the Gazette lifting the ban on five pesticides including Glyphosate and also to make the previous Gazette valid, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

Businessman caught with local, foreign currency at BIA while attempting to smuggle to Dubai

A 27-year-old Colombo-based businessman was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning by customs officials while attempting to smuggle local and foreign currencies amounting to Rs. 14,060,000 to Dubai, Customs Spokesman and Deputy Director (Legal) Sudatta Silva said.

Molnupiravir anti-viral pill to be imported through private sector

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) called for expressions of interest from the private sector to import Molnupiravir, the first oral anti-viral pill to treat patients infected with SARS-COV-2, a minister said.