Schoolgirl succumbs to COVID-19

A grade six student from Dhammissara National school in Nattandiya died while being treated for COVID-19 at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Marawila Base Hospital, a hospital spokesman said.

16 trains cancelled due to COVID spread

Sixteen trains scheduled for today (31) have been cancelled as several locomotive operators tested positive for COVID-19, Railway authorities said.

Dangerous cargo poses threat to Colombo Port

The US Dollar crisis in Sri Lanka has caused a long delay in securing the release of several imported items at the Colombo Port, and among them are goods classed as dangerous cargo.

Presidential intervention sought to secure cess revenue for export development programmes

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane is seeking the President’s intervention to secure the cess revenue from international trade to fund export development programmes, which are critical to meet the country’s export targets.

Customs thwart attempt to smuggle forex worth Rs.25Mn at BIA

An attempt to smuggle foreign currency worth Rs.25 million by five men bound for Dubai was thwarted by Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

SJB does not have to wait till it comes into power to work for people

SJB does not have to wait till it comes into power to work for people as it is already receiving assistance from foreign countries, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

Two held for hurling eggs at Anura Kumara’s vehicle

Two men who had thrown eggs at JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s vehicle when he came to Gampaha to attend the Gampaha District convention of the National People’s Power, were nabbed by party supporters and handed over to the Nittambuwa police today.

Daily COVID cases cross 1,000 mark

The Daily COVID-19 infections surpassed the 1,000 mark after 124 days showcasing the higher transmissibility of Omicron variant.

Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya remanded

Chief incumbent of Minuwangoda Raja Maha Viharaya has been remanded till February 2 by Minuwangoda Magistrate Kesara Samaradiwakara for allegedly assaulting an indivitual and obstructing police after being drunk.

SL can recover from current economic woes within few months: Minister

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the Covid-19 pandemic was the main reason for the country’s economic crisis and that the country could recover from it in the next few months if it could continue without locking the country down.

CEB to purchase electricity from private power plants: Minister

The Ministry of Power has decided to purchase electricity from private power plants for a short period of time.

TN police on high alert over probable regrouping of LTTE

The Central agencies and the elite ’Q’ branch of the Tamil Nadu police are on high alert after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) used the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against three people in a fake passport case which was registered in the state in October 2021 by the ’Q branch.

Girl dies after gate falls on her in Thambuththegama

A 6-year-old girl died when a gate fell on her at Thambuththegama yesterday.

Four drowned, another missing while bathing in Garandi Ella

Four persons drowned and another reportedly went missing while bathing at Garandi Ella in Etampitiya.

Three more Sri Lankan women’s cricketers invited for FairBreak T20 tournament

Three more Sri Lankan women’s cricketers, who recently participated in the Women’s Commonwealth Games Qualifiers in Malaysia, have been approached by the organizers to participate in the world’s first privately funded women’s T20 tournament in Dubai this year.

NeoCov’s potential danger to humans needs further study, says WHO

The World Health Organisation has said the potential danger to humans from NeoCov, a type of coronavirus that spreads among bats in South Africa, requires further study.

Lankan father and two children found dead in suspected murder-suicide in Australia

Australia Police believe Sri Lankan national 40-year-old Indika Gunathilaka murdered his four-year-old daughter and six-year-old son before ending his own life in the garage of their home on Essington Street in the southeast Perth suburb of Huntingdale.

Boy dies after falling from apartment in Bambalapitiya

The Bambalapitiya Police have commenced investigations after a 15-year old boy died after falling from the top floor of a 7-storey apartment building at Krester Place in Bambalapitiya last evening.

82 more Omicron cases detected from multiple areas

A total of 82 more cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant have been identified from 88 samples in Sri Lanka.

NIA to probe arrest of Lankan woman with fake passport in Chennai

The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over investigation of the case involving the arrest of a Sri Lankan woman with a fake Indian passport, in Chennai.

Speaker tests Covid-19 positive

A fresh Covid-19 cluster was reported from Parliament with two higher-ups including Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene being tested positive yesterday.

Pharmaceutical imports under Indian credit to begin next month

Sri Lanka will take steps to import essential medicinal drugs from India under the line of credit next month, a Minister said.

Bernardo Silva holidaying in Sri Lanka?

Portugese and Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is currently on holiday in Sri Lanka, social media posts suggest.

UNP willing to have a dialogue with SLFP and other parties - Ruwan Wijewardene

The UNP is willing to have a dialogue with the SLFP and other parties to form a national government and to prepare a national policy, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Farbrace turns down SL, to remain with Warwickshire

Sri Lanka’s search for a new head coach to replace Mickey Arthur hit a roadblock, after it was announced that Paul Farbrace would remain in the coaching staff at Warwickshire.

Arrested Doctor responsible for two similar acts

The retired doctor from Piliyandala who was arrested in connection with the incident of a hand grenade recovered from All Saints’ Church premises in Borella recently, has been responsible for similar acts at a private hospital in Narahenpita and the Bellanwila temple, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Retired Major General Jagath Alwis said.

No need of full lockdown, existing curbs enough: Health authorities

There is no plan to impose a lockdown as of now despite several requests to do so, the Health authorities said.

95 percent of COVID-19 cases are Omicron: Health Ministry

The Laboratory tests have confirmed that 95% of Sri Lanka’s current COVID-19 cases are of the Omicron variant, Director Health Promotion Bureau (HPB), Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa revealed today.

Move to strip my civic rights: Champika

SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka today alleged that there were plans to punish him and strip his civic rights by summoning him before the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry.

Court refuses to grant bail to Hejaaz Hizbullah

The Puttalam High Court has refused to grant bail to Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah who has been detained for over 20 months.