29 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 29 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (24) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,640.

COVID restrictions including weddings further relaxed

The Health Ministry today eased several restrictions with regards to weddings, capacity in restaurants and night time travel restrictions.

Decision to discontinue promoting oil palm cultivation: Amaraweera

The Environment Minister instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) officials to continue with the decision not to promote the Oil Palm plant cultivation in the country.

Director SIS lodges complaint against Rev. Fr. Siril Gamini

Director General of State Intelligence Services Major General Suresh Sallay lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department today over several ​malicious accusations leveled by Rev. Fr. Siril Gamini and others on incidents surrounding the Easter Sunday Attacks in 2019.

COVID situation at National Hospital under control: Health officials

The number of normal and ICU admissions of COVID-19 patients has drastically come down at the Colombo National Hospital and thereby the situation at the Hospital is currently under control, Health officials underlined.

Railway to be converted into profitable institution by 2023: Minister

The present government is targeting making the Railways Department a profitable entity while maintaining it as a public service, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Lahiru Kumara, Liton Das fined for breaching ICC code of conduct

Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Kumara and Bangladesh batter Liton Das were on Monday fined 25 per cent and 15 per cent of their match fees respectively for breaching ICC’s code of conduct with their aggressive actions during their T20 World Cup Super 12 fixture.

Special plan to attract tourists from five major nations

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga instructed the authorities to expedite the implementation of a special promotion programme targeting five major countries including India and Russia to attract more tourists to Sri Lanka.

Army Chief in Russia on 8-day goodwill visit

Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva is currently in Russia on an eight day-long goodwill visit.

No intention to increase fuel prices, says Gammanpila

There is no intention to increase the fuel prices in the near future, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila assured.

Billionaire Gautam Adani arrives; scheduled to meet President

Billionaire Indian industrialist Gautam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group arrived in Sri Lanka last night, a senior official said.

Primary sections of schools resume academic activities

Academic activities of the primary sections of government and government approved private schools from Grades 1 to 5 commenced today after months of closure due to Covid pandemic.

Another batch of Pfizer vaccines brought to SL

Another batch of 305,370 doses of ’’Pfizer’’ vaccine manufactured in the US,was brought to the country this morning, Sri Lanka Pharmaceuticals Corporation General Manager Dinusha Dasanayake said.

Crisis hits SLIIT Campus

Committee on Public Enterprises ( COPE) chief Professor Charitha Herath yesterday called for the appointment of a Parliament approved committtee of trustees to govern Sri Lanka Inisitute of Information Technology ( SLIIT) .

Namal Karunaratne demands Rs.500 Mn as damages from Mahindananda Aluthgamage

National Organiser of the All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation and former JVP Parliamentarian Namal Karunaratne has sent a letter of demand claiming Rs.500 million as damages from Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage for allegedly making an oral defamatory statement regarding his involvement to the ongoing farmers’ protests.

WHO tracks 20 sublineages of the Delta variant

The World Health Organization (WHO) is tracking 20 sublineages of the Delta variant which is still dominant in global circulation, a leading epidemiologist said.

Pakistan win by 10 wickets to register first World Cup win against India

Fifties by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan help Pakistan register a 10-wicket win against India in a Super 12 blockbuster at the Twenty20 World Cup on Sunday.

Rugby legend Chandrishan Perera passes away

Former Sri Lanka national rugby captain and prominent sports personality Chandrishan Perera passed away at a private hospital yesterday.

Cabinet approval violated when importing nano nitrogen from India: Hadunnetti

The consignment of nano nitrogen fertilizer had been imported from India against the Cabinet Paper submitted by the Agricultural Minister, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

Sri Lanka defeat Bangladesh in feisty World Cup clash

Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a feisty T20 World Cup clash on Sunday, hammering home their status as surprise title contenders.

Uniforms not must for children in schools tomorrow: Prof. Perera

It is not compulsory to wear school uniforms for primary school children who have permission to attend school, Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said.

Raja Collure removed as Communist Party Chairman

Raja Collure has been removed from the post of Chairman of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka.

Stern legal action against false propaganda: Dr.Jayasundera

Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera said that stern legal action has been taken against the false propaganda targeted at him by highlighting a statement made by a Member of Parliament, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

85% of northern people accustomed to watching Indian television channels

It has been revealed that about 85% of the people in the North are accustomed to watching Indian television channels and as a result children in those areas have less general knowledge of events in the country.

Pope conveys solidarity with Cardinal in revealing truth behind Easter Sunday attacks

Pope Francis in a letter addressed to Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, expressed his solidarity with him in uncovering the truth with regard to Easter Sunday attacks and meting out justice to those who were affected by the mayham.

Nearly 1,000 suspects arrested in special raid in WP

A total of 948 persons were arrested in a special crimes prevention operation conducted in the Western Province yesterday.

Veteran actress Vishaka Siriwardana passes away

Veteran actress Vishaka Siriwardana passed away at the age of 64 at the Kurunegala Hospital.

COVID-19: Preventive measures to be followed at religious places issued

The Health Ministry today issued the preventive measures to be followed at religious places during the pandemic.

Unrest at Welikada Prison brought under control

The Prisons Department said that a tense situation which had erupted at the Welikada Prison today due to a protest by a group of inmates had been brought under control.

JVP urges Govt. not to allow Chinese ship under any grounds

Claiming that the Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group and Chinese Embassy are influencing the Sri Lankan authorities to accept the ship carrying organic fertilizer shipment which was rejected following the laboratory tests, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today urged the Government to halt the said ship from entering Colombo port.