Ceylon Fertilizer Company obtains enjoining order against Chinese company: PMD

The Ceylon Fertilizer Company Limited obtained an enjoining order from the Commercial High Court yesterday (22) against the Chinese company; Qingdao Seawin Biotech, its local agent and the People’s Bank, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Singapore removes Sri Lanka from travel restriction list

Singapore announced today (Oct 23) that it will re-open its borders to travellers from six countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and India.

350 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 350 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital taking the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 503,090, the Health Ministry said.

Traffic cop involved in assault of two youths in Eravur interdicted

A traffic policeman attached to the Eravur Police has been interdicted over assault of two youths in Eravur after a video went viral on social media

CID arrest businessman’s son over garlic scam

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested a son of businessman from Bambalapitiya in connection with the garlic scam that took place at Lanka Sathosa.

SC awards one million compensation to victim mistakenly arrested by police

The Supreme Court has awarded one million rupees against the two policemen attached to Circuit Crime Investigation Division of Anuradhapura as compensation for the injuries that an individual sustained as a result of torture and illegally arresting him mistakenly over a theft of a motor bicycle.

Labour Minister vows to take action against labour rights violations in banking sector

Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has assured the Ceylon Bank Employees Union (CBEU) to take swift measures to safeguard the rights of the banking sector employees amidst multiple reports on their right violations by the employers.

Sri Lanka blow Netherlands away for 44, register massive eight-wicket win

Bowlers Wanindu Hasaranga and Lahiru Kumara set up a crushing eight-wicket win for Sri Lanka in the final round-one match of the Twenty20 World Cup after they skittled out Netherlands for 44 on Friday

Karapitiya COVID patient did not die of Black Fungus infection: Hospital Director

Referring to the reports of a COVID-19 death due to Black Fungus at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Hospital Director Dr. Shelton Perera said the death was not due to Black Fungus infection.

President wants SPC Chairman to stay until replacement found

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reportedly informed Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), Dr. Prasanna Gunasena to stay in the position another one month until a replacement is found, informed sources told Daily Mirror.

Primary sections of all schools start on Monday

The primary sections of government and government approved private schools from Grades 1 to 5 will start on Monday (25), the Education Ministry said.

Only 37 matured Red Sandalwood trees in the country: Env. Ministry

There are only 37 fully matured Red Sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) trees in the country, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Chinese Nationals become first to receive booster dose in SL

The Chinese Nationals who were recipients of both doses of the Sinopharm vaccine were given the third dose at the Port City compound today becoming Sri Lanka’s first rollout of the Sinopharm third-dose ’booster’ vaccination.

Misappropriation in payments to Indian Company: Vijitha

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath today said there had been a misappropriation in payment made to the Indian Company to purchase nano liquid fertilizer and urged the Government to clarify on the matter.

Fuel scarcity could create bottleneck situation in SL: Ananda Palitha

The country is heading towards facing an acute shortage of fuel and therefore the country is in a bottleneck situation in the future, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha said.

People’s concern on covid waning; ignore health guidelines: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today said that people’s interest in the covid virus is gradually waning and, at the moment, as they are least bothered to adhere to health guidelines issued by the health ministry.

Inter-provincial trains to run from Nov.1: Transport Minister

The COVID task force has decided to resume train services on Monday (25) in the Western Province (WP) and to operate inter-provincial service from November 1.

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin fires prop gun killing one on set, injuring another

Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin discharged a prop firearm on the set of a Western he was making in New Mexico on Thursday, killing the film’s director of photography and wounding the movie’s director, the authorities said.

Fisheries Minister asks “Why not Indian fishermen prevented lawfully in the past?”

Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said he wondered why the Indian fishermen were not lawfully banned from entering the local sea limits and scooping our marine resources by trawling during the time of the previous government against.

Inter Provincial travel restrictions to be lifted on Oct.31

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that Pfizer vaccines will be given to frontline workers engaged in prevention of COVID-19 as a booster dose from November 1.

SJB MPs protest in Parliament chambers over fertilizer issue

SJB MPs today held a protest inside Parliament chambers calling for the government to resolve the fertilizer issue, holding placards and shouting slogans.

Mahela to leave SL team after today’s game

Former national cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene has decided to leave the Sri Lankan squad before the Super 12 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.

Oil hits multi-year high above US$ 86, then pulls back

Oil hit a three-year high above US$ 86 a barrel yesterday driven by tight supply and a global energy crunch, although prices eased as some investors took profits on signs the rally is looking overstretched.

Introduction of On-line Falsehood Bill soon

On-line Falsehood and Manipulation Bill to control publishing of false information on social media will be introduced soon, Minister of Justice Ali Sabri told Parliament yesterday.

Dr. Prasanna Gunasena quits as SPC Chairman?

Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), Dr. Prasanna Gunasena has reportedly tended his resignation.

Nano nitrogen not the solution to fertilizer issue: Anura

Claiming that nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer imported from India was a nutritional supplement, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today nano nitrogen would not be the solution to the fertilizer issue faced by the farmers at present.

LIOC to increase Diesel and Petrol prices by Rs.5

The Lanka IOC has increased its retail selling prices for both Diesel (Lanka Auto Diesel) & Petrol (LP 92 ) by Rs. 5 per litre from tonight due to huge losses on sales of both the products.

Doing what’s right is a challenge:President tells Agrarian Service officers

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emphasised that doing what’s right is a grave challenge and added that despite the magnitude of a challenge, the desired goals can be achieved by moving forward together.

16% of students, 26% of teachers present on the first day: Edu. Min. Sec

About 16% of students and 26% of teachers were present in schools on the first day and resumed their teaching activities, Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said.

NIC one-day service from Monday: DRP Comm. Gen.

The Department of Registration of Persons (DRP) today said that the one-day service for issuing National Identity Cards (NICs) which was suspended due to the COVID pandemic in the country will resume on Monday (25), DRP Commissioner General Viyani Gunathilaka said.