Break failure halts Colombo-Kandy train at Alawwa

The intercity express train to Kandy from Colombo Fort suffered a brake failure when it reached Alawwa this morning, the railway control room said.

Derbyshire target Mickey Arthur as their new head of cricket

Derbyshire have made an audacious bid to recruit Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur as their new head of cricket, the Daily Mail reported.

Special Commodity Levy on imported rice reduced to 25 cents

The Special Commodity Levy of Rs.65 per kg of imported rice has been reduced to 25 cents for the next six months.

Meerigama-Kurunegala section of E-04 as ’User Fee’ National Highway

A special gazette notification was issued announcing the Meerigama-Kurunegala section of the Central Expressway (E-04) which was designated as an Expressway to be an ’User Fee National Highway’

Second consignment of nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer flown in

Two special cargo aircraft of the Indian Air Force landed at the Katunayake Airport this morning carrying the Indian made nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer procured by Sri Lanka, airport duty manager said.

Court issues summons on Palmyrah Development Board Chairman

The Jaffna Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued summons against Palmyrah Development Board Chairman Kirishantha Pathiraja,

Wheat flour shortage pushes confectioners, bakers to cut production

The availability of ready-to-eat wheat flour-based food products will take a considerable hit in the coming weeks, as the shortage of key ingredients to feed the supply chains of the confectionary and bakery sectors has pushed the manufacturers to cut down production, despite the high demand for such items.

Agreement with NFE cannot be disclosed due to certain conditions: CEB Chairman

Claiming that the agreement pertaining to the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant was signed with the US-based New Fortress Energy (NFE) following the approval of the Attorney General, CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando said today that the content of the agreement could not be disclosed due to a condition in the agreement.

21 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 21 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (02) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,791.

Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando did not appear before CID today

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando through his legal consultants Premier Legal Consultants informed CID today that he was unable to comply with the lattet’s request to give a statement as directed by the Supreme courts.

President holds talks with Heads of State in Glasgow

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has held fruitful discussions with Heads of State and Representatives with the aim of promoting trade, tourism and education sectors, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Policy decision will be made and guidelines to be issued on booster vaccine: Dr. Herath

A policy decision on administering booster vaccine will be made and the relevant guidelines will be issued in the future through certification of the required vaccine availability, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

Huge spike in COVID cases on the cards by the end of December

The number of daily cases is very likely to see a major spike by the end of December this year, Health officials forewarned.

Wanindu Hasaranga tops bowlers’ chart in ICC T20I rankings

Sri Lanka leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has topped the bowling charts od the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings for the first time in his career after two successive three-wicket hauls against South Africa and England.

Friday declared holiday for all Tamil schools in CP: Governor

Central Province Governor Lalith U. Gamage has announced holiday for all Tamil schools in the Central Province (CP) on Friday (5) on the occasion of Deepavali day which falls tomorrow.

Govt.’s responsibility to prevent country facing blackout: JVP

Stressing that it was the responsibility of the Government to prevent the country from facing a blackout, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged the government to withdraw the moves to hand over LNG supply and shares of the Kerawalapitiya Power plant to a US Company.

Deduru Oya, Upper Kotmale sluice gates opened

Four sluice gates each of the Deduru Oya and Upper Kotmale reservoirs have been opened due to torrential rainfall in the catchment areas, the Disaster Management Centre said.

Maithri, security establishments only concerned of their own safety: Cardinal

Former President Maithripala Sirisena and those who were in the security establishments only tried to ensure their own safety when they received prior warnings on impending Easter Sunday attacks , Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said.

Interruptions to water supply if CEB doesn’t restore power breakdowns during strike: Water Supply Trade Union

The water supply could be disrupted if the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is unable to restore power breakdowns during the protest, the convener of the Water Supply Trade Union Collective Alliance, Engineer Upali Rathnayake said.

Colombo Uni. Students’ Union opposes Ven. Murutthettuwe Ananda’s appointment as new Chancellor

The Colombo University Students’ Union and the Student Community unanimously expressed their displeasure over the appointment of Ven. Murutthettuwe Ananda Thera as the new Chancellor of Colombo University.

Delay in fuel distribution inevitable during protest: Ananda Palitha

There could be a delay in fuel distribution due to the protest scheduled to be held today, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha said.

Journalist Athula Bandara passes away

Provincial correspondent and journalist Athula Bandara passed away this morning at a hospital in Anuradhapura at the age of 60.

China urges families to store basic supplies in case of emergency

China’s government has urged families to stock up on essential supplies in case of emergencies.

US filed lawsuit against Sheikh Mohammed after 20 years; Won’t let Easter Sunday attack criminals go free - Minister

Although Archbishop His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has expressed his views over delaying to take action against the suspects in the Easter Sunday attack, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said the US filed a lawsuit against Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks after 20 years.

No power cut today: Power Minister

There will not be a power cut today (Wednesday) despite threats by some trade unions, Minister of Power, Gamini Lokuge told Daily Mirror last night.

Mahanayakas should have nominated Task Force head: SF

The Task Force appointed to look into implementing the ‘One country one law ‘concept should have been headed by a monk nominated by the Mahanayaka thera, Parliamentarian- Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday.

Thiru Nadesan enters top-20 Cargills shareholder list

Businessman Thirukumar Nadesan, husband of former Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa who was named in the recently leaked Pandora Papers has entered the top 20 shareholders list of Sri Cargills (Ceylon) PLC.

Kids 12-18 vaccinated with one Pfizer dose considered fully vaccinated on arrival

Children aged between twelve and eighteen years, who have received at least a single dose of Pfizer Vaccine two weeks prior to departure, will be considered as fully vaccinated on arrival in Sri Lanka, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said.

Non-traditional budget will be presented this time: P. B. Jayasundera

Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera said that he believes a budget with a new vision and programme that goes beyond the traditional budget will be presented to the country this time.

SLPP created to fulfill need of this era and to accomplish aspirations of people’’: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was created to fulfill a need of this era and its ultimate goal is to the aspirations of the people.