President briefed on progress of investigation into Pandora Papers

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been briefed on the progress of the investigation launched by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption into the Pandora Papers,President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Death toll due to adverse weather increases to 25: DMC

Following the latest report issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death toll relating to the adverse weather has increased to 25.

Mahela not happy about players selection at LPL

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena today questioned the player selection of the Lanka Premier League 2021 following the dropping of several key Sri Lankan players from the player draft including Kusal Janith Perera and Dinesh Chandimal.

Landslide threat; Kandy-Colombo main road closed from Pahala Kadugannawa

Due to the danger and possible earth slips, the Kandy-Colombo main road is closed at Pahala Kadugannawa, the Kegalle district secretariat said.

Teachers can solve their issues by working in collaboration with govt: Lokuge

The government knows how to respect teachers, value their services, and understand their responsibilities and therefore, it is advisable they work in collaboration with the government, Power Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

Murder charges dropped against two who killed childhood friend accidentally

Two accused including a police Sub Inspector who mistakenly shot and killed one of their closest childhood friends when trying to show a pistol to the deceased to perform a joke, have been cleared from the death sentence after Court of Appeal determined that two accused did not intend to kill the deceased.

Woman CI Samarakoon to assume duties as OIC of new Naalla Police Station

Woman Chief Inspector Kanchana Samarakoon will assume duties as the OIC of Naalla Police Station in Gampaha tomorrow, the Public Security Ministry said.

Rise in hospitalisations of children with COVID-19

There is a slight increase in the number of children being hospitalised with COVID-19, Health officials said.

Writ petition challenging AG’s decision to withdraw indictments against Karannagoda dismissed

The writ petition filed by parents of the youths who went missing in 2008 seeking an order quashing the decision of the Attorney General to withdraw the indictment filed against Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda was today dismissed by Court of Appeal.

PM appeals all MPs to support providing relief to flood, landslide victims

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today appealed to all Government and opposition MPs to extend their support to provide relief to the people who are affected by the inclement weather and flood situation.

SL ranked 31st in Global Climate Risk Index

Sri Lanka ranked 109th in the ‘Global Climate Risk Index’ in 2017 as a country with a high risk of weather disasters and ranked 31st in the 2019 index, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Organized racket operating in WP extorting money from road accidents

Police have revealed that there is an organized racket of criminals operating specially in the Western Province to extort money from drivers after staging road accidents.

Copy of Yugadanavi agreement to be tabled in Parliament next week: Minister

A copy of the agreement which the government has signed with New Fortress Energy and other documents pertaining to tenders will be tabled in Parliament next week, the House was informed today.

NP Governor invites foreign investors to establish new businesses in North

Northern Province Governor Jeevan Thyagaraja had invited overseas investors to set up new businesses in the province as a new platform has been created for their investments.

Govt. agrees to settle teachers’ salary anomalies: TUs

The government has agreed to settle the salary anomalies of teachers and principals at once, rather than paying it in three installments, Teachers’ Trade Union leaders said today.

Tourism industry nets US$ 130Mn revenue in first 10 months

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said, despite Covid pandemic, the tourism industry in Sri Lanka has earned US$ 130 million from January to October.

Task Force for One Country, One Law; new members included, references amended

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in a new gazette notification has included new members to the Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law and has amended its terms of reference.

Sinovac, Sinopharm, Covaxin to be added to UK’s approved vaccines list

Sinovac, Sinopharm Beijing and Covaxin COVID-19 vaccines will be added to United Kingdom’s list of approved vaccines for inbound travel from November 22, benefitting more fully vaccinated people from countries such as Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and India, the British government has announced.

WHO warns of shortage of 1-2 bln COVID vaccine syringes

There could be a shortage of one to two billion syringes needed to administer COVID-19 vaccinations in 2022 which could also impact routine immunisations and undermine needle safety, the World Health Organisation warned on Tuesday.

Draft Constitution at the end of this year: PM informs Parliament

The committee of experts appointed to draft a new constitution was expected to submit its final draft at the end of this year, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa informed Parliament today.

VIASL listed several budget proposals to purchase quality vehicle at reasonable price

With the intention of developing the motor vehicle industry while increasing government revenue, the Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has listed down several budget proposals to purchase a quality vehicle at a reasonable price.

Schools in Mannar, Killinochchi districts closed until further notice

Due to the inclement weather, the government agents in charge of Mannar and Killinochchi districts have decided to close all government schools today (10) until further notice in the district for students.

Death toll increases to 20, 5 injured, one missing due to adverse weather: DMC

The death toll from the adverse weather conditions has increased to 20, while five people have been injured and one person is missing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today.

Mawanella Deputy Chairman, two PS members arrested

The Deputy Chairman of the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha and two other PS members have been arrested by the police.

Bay of Bengal low pressure area to move towards TN during next 36 hours: Met. Dept.

The low pressure area currently in the south-east Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify further in to a depression during next 36 hours and move West-Northwestwards towards North Tamil Nadu (TN), closer to North coast of Sri Lanka, the Meteorology Department said.

Protests by political activists during the COVID crisis caused distress to people: Lokuge

People are suffering due to the protests carried out by various trade unions and political activists at a time when the COIVD pandemic situation is at a certain control level, Power and Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

Over 9,000 foreign tourists visited Sri Lanka last week: Tourism Minister

Tourism Minister Prasanna Rantunga said 9,545 foreign tourists visited Sri Lanka last week.

Visiting WB VP reaffirms support for investments in people and resilient recovery

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Hartwig Schafer yesterday concluded a six-day visit to Sri Lanka, reiterating the World Bank’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s inclusive and resilient recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasising the importance of investing in human capital.

Three underage missing girls return home

The three underage girls who had disappeared from Colombo 12 on Monday, returned home this evening, police said.

718 more COVID-19 cases reported today

A total of 718 more COVID-19 patients have been detected within today,the Government Information Department said.