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.

Johnston released from three corruption cases

Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika C. Ragala today ordered to release Minister Johnston Fernando and two others from three corruption cases following the Bribery Commission’s decision to withdraw the charges.

Police to extend info gathering operation in WP

Following the information-gathering operation carried out within the Colombo Municipal Council area recently to identify temporary residents and other establishments, the police have decided to extend its operation to other areas of the Western Province as well.

Two arrested over wild elephant deaths

Two persons have been arrested by the wildlife officials after two wild elephants were found dead in paddy fields in Tirappane and Bakamuna.

CA directs AG to submit a report regarding the death of seven elephants in Habarana

The Court of Appeal today ordered the Attorney General to submit a report regarding the death of seven elephants near the Hiriwadunna reserve in Habarana in 2019.

Health Ministry declares booster vaccination week from tomorrow

The Health Ministry has planned a booster vaccination week starting from tomorrow (29) to coincide with the completion of the first year of the vaccination drive in Sri Lanka, the Government Information Department said.

Sri Lankan killed in shooting incident in Qatar

A Sri Lankan security guard at a residential compound in the Al Waab area of Doha, Qatar was shot late on Wednesday evening, after allegedly requesting a young man’s ID upon entry, residents of the compound informed Doha News.

Turkish Foreign Minister in SL

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu arrived in Sri Lanka on a one-day official visit this morning.

Amendment of PTA: Govt ready with new legislation

Ahead of the UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) session in March, the government has worked a piece of legislation amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Bus carrying garment workers goes down precipice in Hatton; one dead

One person died and 15 others hospitalised after a bus carrying employees of a garment factory fell into a precipice of about 45 feet on the Dickoya- Darawala road near Hatton this morning.

Around 35 COVID-19 cases reported daily within Colombo City

Around 35 COVID-19 cases are being reported daily within the Colombo City and is much better than most of the other areas in the country, Chief Medical Officer Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said yesterday.

Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka in Under 19 World Cup Quarterfinal

Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 4 runs in the Super League Quarterfinal of the ongoing Under 19 World Cup at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

Basil tells Financial Times Sri Lanka negotiating with bondholders

Sri Lanka is negotiating with bondholders and is contemplating a programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa had told Financial Times based in London (FT.com).

US investigates into Sri Lankan steel nail imports in violation of AD/CVD laws

The International Trade Administration Agency under the United States (U.S.) Department of Commerce (DoC) has launched an investigation into certain steel nails imports from Sri Lanka and a few other countries violating anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) laws, according to a notice published on Federal Register this week.

Chamal admits MR under rest following surgery

Brother of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa earlier today admitted that the Prime Minister had undergone a surgery which is why he was unable to attend a public event in Gampola today.

COVID exit strategy changed; new guidelines for patients & contacts

The Health Ministry has updated the guidelines on laboratory testing strategy for COVID-19, integrated home-based isolation and management of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients and discharge criteria from treatment facilities.

SL briefs Diplomatic Corps on Current Initiatives ahead of HR Council session

Sri Lanka on Wednesday briefed Diplomatic Corps on the current initiatives taken by the government and to share information on progress related to human rights and reconciliation as part of the continued engagement ahead of the upcoming 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, which will commence in the last week of February, the foreign ministry said.

New health guidelines for tourists travelling to SL issued

The Health Ministry today issued a set of new health guidelines applicable for tourists travelling to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.

No power outages until Monday: PUCSL

After analysing the data available on the demand and supply of electricity, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that there is no need to have scheduled power cuts until next Monday (31).

Don’t send children to school if they develop symptoms: Pediatrician

The health authorities today urged parents not to send their children to school if they had developed any symptoms such as fever, cold, diarrhoea or vomiting, claiming that there was a significant increase in diseases among children specially Covid-19, viral fevers and dengue fever these days.

Calls for transparency get louder over IPO share allocations

As a large amount of the initial public offering (IPO) shares of companies get often allocated to so-called undisclosed eligible investors, market participants are calling for the disclosure of such shareholders in a bid to bring in transparency to the whole IPO process.

Sri Lanka to go low on electricity from March, power schedule times likely to be given

With the country running on a very thin power supply with the shortage of fuel created by the forex crisis, sources at the Ceylon Electricity Board said they will be compelled to issue the power supply times to the general public from March, similar to some African countries, if the crisis is not sorted soon.

Special Goods and Services Tax Bill to be taken up for debate on Feb. 10

Party leaders in Parliament have decided to take up the proposed Special Goods and Services Tax Bill on February 10, 2022, media unit of Parliament which quoted Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake said today.

Three MT cement shortage in the country: Construction Assn.

The country is currently facing an acute shortage of three metric tons of cement for the construction industry, National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) Chairman Susantha Ranjith Liyanarachchi said.