Govt.has released 18,000 MTs of substandard TSP fertilizer to farmers: Anura

The Government had released 18,000 MTS of substandard and hazardous stocks of TSP fertiliser to the farmers, despite its pledges to protect farmers from hazardous chemicals, National Peoples’ Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Contradictory reports damage diplomatic ties with China: Shasheendra

Two state institutions giving contradictory reports on organic fertiliser imported from China have damaged diplomatic ties with China, Minister of Organic Fertiliser Production and Promotion Shasheendra Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday.

CJ nominates a fuller bench to hear Yugadanavi power plant cases

The Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has nominated a fuller bench comprising five judges of Supreme Court to hear several Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the agreements on Yugadanavi power plant.

Singapore to launch Vaccinated Travel Lanes with Sri Lanka

Singapore will launch Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTL) with Sri Lanka from December, allowing quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers between the two countries.

Gautam Adani surpasses Mukesh Ambani, becomes Asia’s richest person

Gautam Adani, founder and Chairman of Adani Group, on Wednesday replaced Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Chairman Mukesh Ambani to become Asia’s richest person.

Court fines eight over destruction of public property

Eight persons were arrested today for causing damages to public properties during a protest held following the death of a man inside the cell at the Panamure Police Station.

President orders to import Molnupiravir antiviral pill

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana to take steps to import Molnupiravir tablet (antiviral medication for COVID-19) through the State Pharmaceutical Corporation in the same manner the Covid vaccines were brought down.

Fmr. Prez fully responsible for Easter attack, legal action should be taken: Prasanna

Former President Maithripala Sirisena is fully responsible for the Easter Sunday attack and legal action should be taken against him, Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

I was not instrumental introducing organic farming: Rathana Thera

Refuting claims that he was behind the moves to ban chemical fertilizer, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said today that he was not aware of it until the Cabinet Paper prohibiting chemical fertilizer was presented to the Cabinet by the President.

Young woman receiving treatment due to gas cylinder explosion, dies

A 19-year-old married woman who was receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo after being seriously injured by a gas cylinder explosion at a house at Welikanda in Polonnaruwa, had died yesterday evening (25).

Majority of SLFP MPs will remain with govt.: Roshan Ranasinghe

Majority of SLFP MPs will remain with the government, even if one or two decide to leave, SLPP Polonnaruwa District MP Roshan Ranasinghe told Parliament today.

Another explosion at house in Nikaweratiya

Another explosion was reported at a house in Kandegedara in Nikaweratiya today due to a suspected gas leak, causing severe damage to the house.

Health experts raise serious concerns over new variant, SL goes on alert

Sri Lanka’s health experts, today raised serious concerns over the new variant of the COVID-19 which had been detected in South Africa and said Sri Lanka’s borders had gone on alert.

CPSTL introduces drone technology to petroleum industry

Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) today introduced drone technology to the petroleum industry for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Navy provides safe passenger transport service at Kurinchankerny bridge

Sri Lanka Navy made arrangements to provide safe passenger transport service at the Kurinchankerny bridge from yesterday following the capsize of a passenger ferry which killed six persons, including children.

COVID variant fear sparks Africa travel curbs

Travellers arriving in England from several southern African countries will have to quarantine amid warnings over a new coronavirus variant.

Tinker Lasantha shot dead by police when taken to recover hidden weapons

Hewa Lunuge Lasantha alias Tinker Lasantha, who was allegedly involved in a number of murders and crimes, was shot dead by police at Diyagama in Kalutara, police said.

S. Africa detects new COVID variant, still studying its mutations

South African scientists have detected a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations but are yet to establish whether it is more contagious or able to overcome the immunity provided by vaccines or prior infection.

Laws designed to control media should not be enacted

Laws that are being designed to control the media should not be enacted, both government and the opposition MPS stressed in Parliament yesterday.

No request from Sri Lanka for IMF funding

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Sri Lanka has not made any request for financial support.

COVID cases in rural areas on the rise: Health Ministry

The spread of coronavirus which was widely seen in urban areas, is now considerably visible in rural areas as well, the Health Ministry said.

Health sector, military and people must decide whether country needs another lockdown or not: GMOA

With the support of the government led by the health sector, the military, and the people, we can go for a total lockdown of the country or march ahead controlling the spread of the COVID virus, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said

SLAF deploys aircraft and drones to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo

A Bell 212 aircraft and drones of Sri Lanka Air Force have been used to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo in a joint operation with the Sri Lanka Police, the SLAF said.

Opposition raises gas cylinder explosions in Parliament

The Opposition today brought to the notice of the Government the incidents of domestic cooking gas cylinder explosions.

People now vigilant when look for secure foreign jobs: Mangala Randeniya

With the facilities introduced by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB), people are now vigilant when searching foreign agencies for their foreign employment, SLFEB Deputy General Manager Mangala Randeniya said.

Chairman of Kinniya UC arrested over ferry tragedy

The Chairman of the Kinniya Urban Council has been arrested in connection with the incident in which six people, including four school children, were killed when a ferry capsized in the Kuringankerni Lagoon.

Customs seize Rs.20 million worth of Kush cannabis at CME

Officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotic Control Unit attached to Sri Lanka Customs today seized ten parcels of Kush cannabis with a street value of nearly Rs.20 million at the Central Mail Exchange (CME), Colombo, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

SL win by 187 runs in the first Test against West Indies

Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 187 runs in the first Test match in Galle and take 1-0 lead in the 2-match series.

14 dead, 1 missing, 22 injured, by adverse weather: DMC

Fourteen people have died and over 100,000 families have been affected in the nine districts due to adverse weather conditions experienced in the country, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Domestic gas cylinder explodes at house in Hokandara

A domestic gas cylinder has exploded at a house at Hokkandara in Pannipitiya early this morning, Police said.