People urged to restrict movement as Omicron-fueled wave imminent

As Omicron is becoming the dominant variant in Sri Lanka surpassing Delta, the health authorities raised the importance of curtailing public movement to avert a massive outbreak in the country.

Complaint lodged to CB governor over illegal smuggling of dollars: Sinhala Ravaya

The Sinhala Ravaya has forwarded a complaint to the Central Bank (CB) Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal over a racket that is being operated in the country to smuggle dollar reserves out of the country illegally and nearly 300 such transactions have been made so far, Sinhala Ravaya Head Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathana Thera said.

Govt. to establish pension scheme for private sector: Labour Minister

Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva requested World Bank’s assistance to formulate a social security and pension scheme for the employees working in the formal and informal sectors of the private sector.

TNA MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam tests COVID-19 positive

TNA Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam has tested positive with the COVID-19 today.

Students, teachers of Al Gazzaly school in Atulugama say ’No’ to vaccine

The students and their parents and teachers of the Al Gazzaly School in Atulugama have refused to get the COVID vaccine when it was offered to them by the health officials of the Bandaragama MOH office.

Number of students in classrooms must be limited: Health officials

With COVID infections among school children on the rise, the number of students in a classroom should be limited, health officials stressed.

UK State Minister commends SL’s progress over human rights

Sri Lanka’s programme to empower human rights is making great strides, United Kingdom’s State Minister for South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth, Lord Tariq Ahmad said.

Over 70,000 local & foreign tourists visit national parks during long weekend

Nearly Rs. 10 million revenue had been earned from more that 70,000 local and foreign tourists who visited national parks in Sri Lanka during the long weekend, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

Yugadanavi power plant cases postponed again since SC bench not properly constituted

The Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the agreements on Yugadanavi power plant were today re-fixed for February 3 by Supreme Court.

No shortage of fuel to operate aircraft: D.V Chanaka

The current fuel crisis will not affect SriLankan Airlines or domestic airline services in the country, Aviation and Investment Zone Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka said.

No interruption to power supply today: CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is to provide uninterrupted power supply today after receiving adequate fuel supply for power generation, CEB Additional General Manager and media spokesman Andrew Navamani said.

Hejaaz Hizbullah’s bail application: AG consents for bail

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Court of Appeal that the prosecution will consent to release Attorney-at-law Hejaaz Hizbullah on bail if the defence makes an application for bail at Puttalam High Court on the 28th of January.

Madugalle and Mahanama to officiate as match-referees in PSL

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hired the services of Ranjan Madugalle and Roshan Mahanama as match-referees for the upcoming PSL (Pakistan Super League) matches to be played in Pakistan.

Tourist establishments mandated to accept forex from non-residents

All registered tourist establishments will soon be required to accept foreign exchange from non-residents of Sri Lanka.

CBSL decides to distribute financing of essential import bills for fuel purchases among licensed banks

In view of strengthening macroeconomic stability given the current and expected macroeconomic developments, the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to distribute the financing of essential import bills for fuel purchases among the licensed banks in proportion to their foreign exchange inflows.

White van press conference case against Rajitha fixed for trial

The case filed against former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Chairman Rumi Mohammed in connection with the controversial White Van Press Conference during the 2019-Presidential Election was today fixed for trial by the Colombo High Court.

Son of arrested doctor makes controversial statement against police

Oshala Herath, the son of the retired doctor who was arrested in connection with the recovery of a hand grenade in a church in Borella, made a controversial statement regarding the weapons found by the police at their residence in Piliyandala.

Five nabbed with Rs. 40 mn worth of foreign currency at BIA

Five individuals were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle Rs. 40 million worth of foreign currency out of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Customs said.

Animal death rate 1% in local Zoos Vs.5% globally: DG

The animal death rate at the local zoos has been recorded at one percent compared to the animal deaths at zoos in other countries, National Zoological Gardens Department Director General Shermila Rajapaksha said.

Sarath Weerasekara contracts COVID-19

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara has been diagnosed with COVID-19 viral infection.

Alarming increase in COVID cases among children: Pediatrician

There is a sharp increase in COVID-19 positive cases among children at present, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Gazette on extending retirement age to 65 issued

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued yesterday, making it compulsory for all civil public servants to reach the age of 65 years of their retirement age.

Thousands visit Port City without visas: Rohitha

Thousands of peope are visiting the Colombo Port City daily whereas the oppostion claimed earlier that a visa would have to be obtained to visit the Port City which they called a ’’Chinese Colony’’, Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardane said today.

JVP vows to revert agreements signed to sell state assets:Anura

Giving assurance that the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and its Trade Unions would not remain silent over selling state assets, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today they would come forward to revert the agreements which had been signed to hand over the Trincomalee Oil Tank Farm to India and transferring of shares of the Kerawalapitiya LNG Plant to a US Company.

SL, UK recognize British Sri Lankan diaspora communities in the UK

Sri Lanka and Britain today recognized that the British Sri Lankan diaspora communities in the UK are a unique asset, making a significant contribution towards the prosperity of the UK.

Speaker urges all MPs to support rebuild Parliament’s lost image

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene today urged all MPs to support rebuild Parliament’s lost image and come for a dialogue on the same.

1hr 45 minutes power outage in several areas today: CEB

Power outage for an hour and 45 minutes under three slots will be imposed in many areas today from 6.00 pm to 7.45 pm and 7.45 pm to 9.30 pm as Kelanitissa Power Station is yet to receive adequate fuel supply, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Uninterrupted power supply until Jan. 25: Minister assures

The electricity could be supplied without a hitch until next Monday (25) as adequate fuel was supplied to CEB, Power Minister Gamini Lokuge today said.

Prosecution evidence against Hemasiri Fernando in Easter Sunday attack case concludes

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar today concluded recording evidence in a case filed against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando relating to the Easter Sunday bomb attack.

Short-term power cuts possible as fuel being pumped to Kelanitissa: CEB Chairman

There could be short-term power interruptions in several areas until fuel pumping at the Kelanitissa Power Station is completed, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando said.