Poland to add to SL’s tourist traffic this winter

Sri Lanka is slated to witness a boost in the number of tourists this winter season, as Poland is gearing up to contribute to the tourist traffic starting December 7.

Major floods possible in lowline areas of Maha Oya River Basin

There is a possibility of major floods occuring in lowline areas of Maha Oya River Basin in several DS division areas within next few hours, Irrigation Department said.

Jaffna schools closed due to extreme weather

Due to torrential rains and floods experienced in the Jaffna District, the Jaffna Government Agent today decided to close all government schools in the district.

Agriculture Ministry says no to Chinese fertilizer shipment

The Agriculture Ministry yesterday briefed the Chinese embassy that it could not allow the shipment of controversial stock of fertilizer into the country.

We could be compelled to recommend closing the country again: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry could be compelled to recommend closing the country once again if people’s behaviour continues to be poor, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said yesterday.

President says ’no’ to letting go of Ali Sabry

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has rejected the resignation submitted by Justice Minister Ali Sabry after the latter expressed his disappointment at the gazette notice issued over the One County One Law concept and being left in the dark over the matter, the Daily Mirror reliably learns.

679 more COVID-19 cases reported today

A total of 679 more COVID-19 patients have been detected within today,the Government Information Department said.

Real murderer was set free by AG - Counsel for Premalal Jayasekara

Beginning with the appeal petition filed on behalf of Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekera alias Choka Malli, counsel for accused-appellant Jayasekera submitted to Court of Appeal today that the real murderer of this incident which took place in 2015 during the Presidential Election was set free by the Attorney General.

Collision in Dansalewatta leaves two dead

At least two individuals were reported dead while two others were injured when a container collided with a van in the Dansalewatta area on the Meerigama-Pasyala road today, Police said.

Sharp increase in COVID patients under home-based care

With the overall number of daily COVID-19 cases is on the rise, health authorities notice a dramatic increase in patients under home-based care.

Gazette to acquire Muthurajawela wetlands by UDA should be withdrawn : Lanza

State Minister Nimal Lanza said today that the gazette notification issued to acquire some 5800 hectares of the Muthurajawela wetlands by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) should be withdrawn without inviting further trouble.

AG gives green light to make vaccination card mandatory: Keheliya

The Attorney General has given the green light to make the vaccination card mandatory for the general public when they enter public places, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

Polythene ban reaps success; CEA to conduct 4,930 raids by year end: Env. Ministry

The ban on polythene based products such as sachets, polythene and shopping bags, wrappers, lunch sheets and plastic items has been successful and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) will conduct 4,930 raids before the end of this year, the Environment Ministry said

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando will not be arrested at this moment - AG

The Attorney General today gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando will not be arrested at this moment regarding a complaint made by Major General Suresh Salley.

Guests now allowed to visit inmates at prisons twice per week

Guests will be allowed to visit inmates at prisons twice a week now, the Prisons Department said today.

Misappropriation of money obtained from Lankan medical students

A significant number of students are subject to financial misappropriation as the money they paid were plundered by the agents who coordinate the Russian Medicine degree, Former parliamentarian Sinhala Rawaya President Ven. Akmeemana Dayarathana Thera said.

Attanagalu Oya, Maha Oya, Kuda Ganga alerted with minor floods DMC

The Attanagalu Oya, Maha Oya and Kuda Ganga in the Kalu Ganga basin have been alerted with minor floods, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Tuition classes likely to get green light in two weeks: State Minister

Tution classes might be allowed to resume subject to heath restrictions in a fortnight, State Minister Susil Premajayantha told Parliament today.

Special traffic plan near Parliament on Friday: Speaker

Special security plan would be in place in and around Parliament complex this Friday (12) as the budget for 2022 is to be presented that day, the Speaker announced today.

Maldives President arrives

Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih arrived at the Katunayake International Airport this morning for a two day official visit to Sri Lanka.

Foreign reserves dip to US$ 2.3bn by October-end

Foreign exchange reserves were measured at US$ 2,267.5 million by the end of October, down from US$ 2,704.2 million in September as the Central Bank settled US$ 492.9 million worth foreign liabilities during the month. Sri Lanka is scrambling to shore up its reserves amid slowdown in inflows due to the pandemic and rating downgrades.

Competitive airport charges, smoother passenger handling cited key for Sri Lanka to become major tourist destination

The government should focus on formulating a competitive cost structure for airlines in terms of airport charges combined with a smooth passenger handling process by capitalising on digital technology at the airport in order for Sri Lanka to position itself as a sustainable tourist destination, according to a top official of Air France – KLM.

SJB is not seen as an alternative by the people : Sarath Fonseka

Whilst stating that the SJB is not seen as an alternative by the people, MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday stressed for a programme to woo the dejected SLPP members at the grass root level through an effective propaganda machinery.

Strict guidlines during festive season

The Ministry of Health will introduce strict guidelines during the festive season next month, sources told Daily Mirror.

Tokyo and INSEE announce MRPs for 50kg cement bags

Tokyo Cement (Company) Lanka PLC, manufacturer of Tokyo Super and Nippon Cement, yesterday stated that a 50Kg bag of said brands of cement would be sold at the maximum retail price (MRP) of Rs. 1,275.00 only.

Over 200,000 Pfizer vaccines arrive

A total of 202,000 Pfizer vaccines arrived from Doha at the Bandaranaike International Airport on a Qatar Airways flight last night, authorities said

COVID transmission from child to child minimal: Medical specialist

The possibility of transmitting Covid-19 from child to child or from child to an adult was minimum, a medical specialist said yesterday.

626 fresh COVID-19 cases reported today

A total of 626 more COVID-19 patients have been detected within today,the Government Information Department said.

Chinese company demands US $ 8 Mn from National Plant Quarantine Services Dy. Director

Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co Ltd, the Chinese company that supplied the controversial stock of fertilizer, demanded US $ 8 million from Additional Director- National Plant Quarantine Services Dr W.A.R. T. Wickramaarachchi within three days starting from November 5 and warned of legal action otherwise.

Two killed, 9 injured as safari truck speeding away from wild elephant topples over

At least two people were killed and nine others were injured when a safari truck toppled over inside the Hurulu wild park in Habarana when the jeep was speeding away from a charging wild elephant.