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.

Joint raid nabbed 8 suspects with narcotics and cash in Keselwatta

Eight suspects have been arrested with narcotics including 75 kilos of Cannabis and Rs. 790,000 in cash during a joint raid by the Police and the STF in Keselwatta.

Normal train schedule from tomorrow after 20 months: SLRSMU

The Railways Department will operate trains according to the normal train schedule from tomorrow after 20 months, Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said

New Zealand beat Afghanistan to enter semis; India knocked out

India went out of the semi-final race of the T20 World Cup after New Zealand defeated Afghanistan by eight wickets to grab the last remaining qualifying spot from Group 2 of the Super 12 stage in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Turkey wants closer ties with Sri Lanka

The Turkish foreign minister on Saturday said Turkey wants to develop holistic relations with Asia that has become the center of global economic power.

O/L, A/L activities in all schools to commence tomorrow

Academic activities for the GCE O/Level and A/Level grades will begin in all schools in the country tomorrow, according to Education Ministry Secretary Professor Kapila Perera.

Move to deduct pension for insurance scheme ruthless: Dr. Harini

Claiming that it was the duty of the Government to look after the senior citizens, Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasooriya said today that it was a ruthless move to deduct certain amount of money from the pension to cover an insurance scheme.

Landslide early warning issued for eight districts

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued landslide early warnings for Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale & Ratnapura.

Youth killed in selfie tragedy in Vavuniya

A 21-year-old youth was knocked down by a train when taking a selfie on the Kallaru Bridge in Settikulam, Vavuniya, Police said.

Police face violence to arrest youth with drugs

Nine persons including three women have been arrested for assaulting and obstructing the duties of police officers who had arrested an 18-year-old youth with heroin in Kahatagasdigiya.

Iraqi PM al-Kadhimi survives Baghdad ’assassination attempt’

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has said he escaped unhurt after an attack on his home in the capital Baghdad.

Will definitely make revolutionary changes pledged by “Vistas of Prosperity”: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stressed that the revolutionary changes mentioned in the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” policy statement will definitely be made.

Huge sum of money will be allocated for the forthcoming budget: GL

A large sum of money will be allocated for the forthcoming budget for infrastructure development and upliftment of public livelihoods, Foreign Minister G.L Peiris said.

Over 1,000 suspects arrested in special raid in WP

A total of 1,019 persons were arrested in a special crimes prevention operation conducted in the Western Province on Saturday.

Automatic Super 12 qualifiers for T20 World Cup 2022 confirmed, WI and SL to compete in first round

The automatic qualifiers for the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 have been confirmed, following West Indies’ loss to Australia in their final match of this year’s edition.

617 fresh COVID-19 cases reported today

A total of 617 more COVID-19 patients have been detected within today,the Government Information Department said.

Red alert issued over 18 districts: Met.Dept

A red alert has been issued for 18 districts within the next 24-hours as heavy rains of more than 100mm was expected, the Metrology Department said.

92 people dead after an oil tanker exploded near Sierra Leone’s capital

At least ninety-two people were killed and over 100 wounded in the capital of Sierra Leone on Friday when a fuel tanker exploded following a collision, the central morgue and local authorities said.

Effectiveness of three COVID vaccines on the wane

The protection against any COVID-19 infection has declined for all PfizerBioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, State Minister said based on US latest study.

Tight restrictions to be imposed again?

With the general public ignoring all health guidelines despite constant warnings, authorities could be compelled to impose tougher restrictions in the future, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said.

Pfizer Vaccine only for kids between 16-19 years, pre-booking advised: LRH

The Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) administration has strictly advised in making pre-bookings to get the COVID vaccine for children between 16 and 19 years of age

Govt.’s popularity fast diminishing as never before: NPP

Claiming that the popularity of the government was fast diminishing as never before, the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said today the government was using various ploys to divert the people’s attention from burning issues.

Special Operation in WP found buses, shops violating health guidelines

A total of 362 bus operators and owners of 504 shops in the Western Province have been warned for violating health guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Two arrested over woman’s body found in a suitcase in Sapugaskanda

The police have arrested two suspects including a woman in connection with the incident where a woman’s body was found in a suitcase at a garbage dump at Mabima in Sapugaskanda this week.

Health authorities on alert to avert dengue epidemic

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) warned of a possible surge in the number of cases within the next few weeks since there were a lot of mosquito breeding places observed by it in the country.

Police constable arrested along with his lover while in possession of heroin

A police constable of the Hungama Police and his lover who were involved in making packets of heroin had been arrested by the Tangalle Division Crime Investigating Unit during a raid carried out on a lodge in the area, the Police said.

Increase in the tendency of Covid-19 spreading among children again: Paediatrician

An increasing tendency of spreading Covid-19 among children was observed once again, Consultant Paediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for children Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Major outbreaks inevitable despite massive vaccination drive

Emerging major clusters is inevitable irrespective of the vast vaccination drive in the country if people act in a manner conducive of spreading the disease, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Sri Lanka will need additional US $ 2bn to reduce road fatalities by half: WB

Sri Lanka will need additional US $ 2 billion in the next 10 years to reduce road fatalities by 50 percent, according to the World Bank.