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.

Local IS had planned attacks in all 9 provinces this year, probe reveals - Prof. Rohan Gunaratne

Startling evidence has come to light that Naufer Moulavi, who was the second in command of the Islamic State in Sri Lanka had planned to carry out attacks in all nine provinces of the country this year but had been unable to proceed as planned due to a leadership dispute with leader Zahran who wanted to attack immediately, which led to the Easter Sunday massacre in 2019, a defence expert revealed yesterday.

10 Sri Lankans held for smuggling gold in India

The Customs Department has arrested two Sri Lankan men and eight women at Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore for allegedly smuggling gold hidden in their bodies, officials said on Monday.

ACMC to take disciplinary action against its MPs who voted for Budget

The Political Authority of All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) has unanimously decided to suspend and take necessary disciplinary action against the three Parliamentarians of the Party who voted for the Budget 2022 in contradiction to the decision of the Party.

Gazette on prohibiting sale, use of five pesticides including Glyphosate revoked

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued by the Registrar of Pesticides revoking the Gazette issued in 2014, which prohibited the use and sale of five pesticides including Glyphosate.

Police to implement operations in WP to check public violating health guidelines

Police said today that they will launch special operations in the Western Province from tomorrow to inspect those violating health guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Basil to visit India for bilateral talks with PM Modi

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will visit India to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, foreign minister GL Peiris said today.

Complete online Health Declaration Form to get QR code before arrival: AASL

The Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) requests passengers to complete their online ’Health Declaration Form’ before landing in order to ease their health check at the airport.

No change in govt.’s agriculture policy: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stressed that the country’s agriculture policy is only for a green agriculture that focuses on the sole use of organic fertilizers.

Budget 2022: Second reading passed with majority of 93 votes

Second reading of the budget 2022 passed in Parliament with a majority of 93 votes when the vote was taken a short while ago.

SC dismisses Joseph Stalin’s FR petition

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by General Secretary of CeylonTeachers Union Joseph Stalin challenging the legality of preventing protests using quarantine regulations was yesterday dismissed by Supreme Court.

Mobile phone found from Ranjan’s possession at Welikada prison hospital

A mobile phone was recovered from former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is currently at the Welikada Prison Hospital last night .

Sri Lanka to use modern transport modes: Pavithra

Instead of the traditional method of manufacturing a bus with a body attached to an old lorry chassis, a modern mode of transport is being introduced using comfortable modern buses, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Verbal clash between two SJB MPs in Parliament

A verbal confrontation between two SJB MPs Harin Fernando and Kumara Welgama was witnessed in Parliament today.

Lunch packets up by Rs.20, plain tea by Rs.5: Canteen Owners' Assn.

The price of a lunch packet and a cup of plain tea will be increased with effect from tomorrow (23) in the wake of the increasing prices of vegetables and related essentials, All Island Canteen Owners Association (AICOA) Head Asela Sampath said today.

SLPP PS member tied to lamp post for harassing residents in Galpatha

A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Panadura Pradeshiya Sabha member who had been harassing the residents of Galpatha under influence of alcohol has been tied to a lamp post by a group of residents in the area.

CID probe into Nano fertilizer import allegation: Shasheendra

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has been informed to conduct an impartial inquiry into whether any financial irregularity had taken place when importing Nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer from India, State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa said today.

Three arrested while selling 10 precious Elephant Pearls

Three suspects were arrested for the possession of ten Elephant Pearls (Gajamuthu) during a raid carried out by the STF in Eragama in Kalmunai yesterday.

Claymore mine made by LTTE found in Velanai, Jaffna

A high-powered claymore mine made by LTTE was recovered buried in a private plot of land in the Velanai Ambiga Nagar area in Jaffna last evening (21), police said.

Aeroflot resumes Colombo-Moscow flights

Aeroflot Airlines recommenced its flight operations to Colombo yesterday from Moscow with a flight frequency of two flights per week between Moscow and Colombo, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

12 arrested with drugs at Facebook party in Weligama

Twelve suspects have been arrested with drugs after police raided a party at a tourist lodge at Midigama in Weligama.

Heavy rains expected from tomorrow

The showery condition over the island is expected to enhance from tomorrow (23), the Meteorological Department forecast said.

Vote on the second reading of the budget to take place today

The vote on the second reading debate of the budget is expected to take place at 5 pm today.

Prez to have crucial meeting today

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will have a crucial meeting with the authorities of the agriculture sector today to discuss the fertilizer crisis that has affected vegetable farming, leading to unprecedented spikes in prices.

Rubber sector not impressed with plan to ban rubber products imports

The proposed ban on importation of rubber-based products and the parallel promotion of investments into local production of rubber related finished goods may not yield the desired results as the country is already scrambling to meet the demand for natural rubber needed to power its existing value addition industries, according to an industrialist.

CB appoints four new Assistant Governors

The Monetary Board, at its meeting held on November 17th has promoted K. G. .P Sirikumara, D. Kumaratunge, U. L. Muthugala and C. P. S. Bandara to the post of Assistant Governor with effect from 17th November 2021.

SL continues to struggle with brand image, says tourism industry veteran

Although several plans have been conceptualised and rolled out for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to move towards recovery, branding and positioning of the island nation is yet to be effectively executed, a tourism industry veteran highlighted.