1,912 people affected, low pressure area still persists: Met Dept.

Some 1,912 people from 477 families have been affected due to the current deluge in the country, the Disaster Management Centre said.

Harin says Sajith can be put on right path

Whilst stating that there are differences of opinion between himself and Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, SJB MP Harin Fernando today said Premadsa can be put on the right track if the MPs get together and show him the right path.

Edu. Ministry suspends calling teachers for Ministry’s teacher transfer unit

Due to COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Education Ministry has decided against calling teachers for the transfer unit of the Ministry.

Kenyan smuggled cocaine by swallowing arrested

A 39-year-old Kenyan national was arrested last evening at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle 50 capsules containing cocaine after swallowing, Customs Spokesman and Deputy Director (Legal) Sudatta Silva said.

New COVID variant on the loose can enter SL, warn PHIs

There is a risk that the new variant named A.30, which can evade COVID-19 vaccines, will enter Sri Lanka, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union said today.

Indian Air Force to transport liquid Nano-Nitrogen fertiliser from India

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has agreed to transport Indian liquid Nano-Nitrogen fertiliser recommended for use in agriculture, Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

SC dismisses Jaliya Wickramasuriya’s appeal

An appeal filed by former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United States Jaliya Wickramasuriya challenging Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss a writ petition filed regarding his diplomatic immunity has been dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Golden opportunity to make issues discussed by BBS a reality: Ven. Gnanasara Thera

The ’Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law’ was a golden opportunity to make the social issues discussed by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation a reality, Head of the Task Force Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said today.

UK now recognizes Sri Lanka’s vaccination cards

The UK has opened up for Sri Lankan nationals who can now enter the country by providing proof of their vaccinations as Sri Lankan travelers, from November 1, qualified under the fully vaccinated rules for travel to the UK.

Vax declared Oxford English Dictionary’s word of the year

Vax has been chosen as the word of the year by lexicographers at the Oxford English Dictionary (OED).

People advised to act wise as Covid still prevails: Army Chief

Despite the fact that some restrictions have been removed, the people should act wisely as the Covid pandemic is still raging in the country, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

GSMB to launch Geo-chemical mapping covering entire nation

The Environment Minister, instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to implement a programme to prepare a systematic Geo-chemical mapping programme to cover all parts of the island.

AG to file a confidential report on decision to withdraw indictments against Karannagoda

The Court of Appeal today permitted the Attorney General to file a confidential report explaining the reasons that led to the withdrawal of indictment filed against Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda.

Signal malfunctioning restored: GMR

The signal failure that was experienced this morning has been restored and trains are running as usual, Railways General Manager Dhammika Dassanayake said.

NTC to operate inter-provincial office transport services

The National Transport Commission (NTC) said that staff transport services are scheduled to operate from today to facilitate passengers.

We need new agricultural revolution that is not against nature :President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emphasized the imperative need for a new agricultural revolution that is not against nature and pointed out that people should coexist with nature rather than act against it.

Minor train collision between Ragama and Peralanda

Two trains collided between Ragama and Peralanda railway stations due to signal failure this morning on the main line, the Railway Control Room said.

Trains delay due to signal failure

Several trains that were scheduled to reach Colombo Fort were delayed due to signal failures on several railway lines, including the main line, the Railways Department said.

Sri Lanka’s national players to get booster dose of vaccine

Sri Lanka’s national players will be given a dose of booster vaccine once they arrive after the World Cup from the UAE. This was revealed by Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the chairman of the medical panel of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board.

BIA to get first airport hotel

Colombo International Airport Hotels Pvt. Ltd (CIAH) has inked an agreement with Board of Investment (BOI) to construct Sri Lanka’s first ever airport hotel within the Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. premises in Katunayake.

Provincial council or any other election should not be the priority: UNP

Provincial council election or any other election should not be the priority at this moment as the country is facing a host of other issues, UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardana said yesterday.

Govt. allies shouldn’t provoke people by speaking to gallery: Lokuge

Refuting the claims made by Government allies recently on the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant, Power and Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge said yesterday the politicians should not provoke people when the country was at a critical juncture but they should act to take the country forward by protecting it.

Miracle needed for Sri Lanka to keep semi-final dream alive

Saturday’s nail-biting defeat at the hands of South Africa has placed Sri Lanka in a must-win situation against unbeaten England in their fourth Super 12 game to be played at the Sharjah Cricket ground this evening.

Rejection of organic fertilizer; a trade issue between supplier and Agri Ministry: Pathirana

The rejection to accept a consignment of organic fertilizer contaminated with hazardous substances shipped to Sri Lanka by the Quingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd. of China was purely a trade issue between the said company and the Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka and as such it will not affect the close and cordial relations that existed for centuries between the two countries at any cost, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

New electoral system will deprive small parties being elected: Mano Ganesan

Small parties will be forced to take up arms if a new electoral system makes it impossible for them to be elected to bodies such as Parliament, Provincial Councils and local bodies and work for their people, Member of Parliament Mano Ganesan said over the weekend.

18 more die of COVID-19: Death toll rises to 13,743

A total of 18 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (30) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,743.

Third dose rollout to get rolling from tomorrow

Sri Lanka is to kick off the program for third coronavirus vaccine doses from tomorrow (01).

Cruise service between Dhaka and Colombo to be launched

Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are considering launching a cruise service between Colombo and Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Tourism Ministry said.

STF arrests doctor for selling drugs

The Special Task Force of Police (STF) has arrested a doctor who worked at the Panadura Base Hospital for selling drug pills worth over Rs. 3 million at a private medical center at Palliyamulla in Panadura.

Easing restrictions is a gamble that might backfire: Health authorities

With relaxing of internal border controls and other restrictions, health authorities have urged people to act with a sense of responsibility.