Restrictions need to continue until year end: Health DG

The country will have to keep under certain restrictions until the month of December this year in order to curb people’s unnecessary movement, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardane said.

Vehicle movements to be restricted due to Kohuwala flyover construction

Vehicular movements at the Kohuwala Junction on the Piliyandala - Colombo Main Road will be restricted due to the construction of the Kohuwala flyover.

Daily COVID cases rising at ground level: PHIs

The COVID-19 cases have slightly increased in the ground level since the time the restrictions were relaxed, Public Health Inspectors Union claimed today.

Health Ministry feels down in the dumps over people’s poor behaviour

Stressing that the danger posed by COVID is still lurking menacingly though cases have marginally decreased, the Health Ministry said the people’s behaviour especially during the weekend is absolutely distressing.

Won’t start work on 21, 22; will report on Monday: Joint Alliance

The Teachers-Principals Joint Alliance today decided not to report to schools on Thursday (21) and Friday (22), but to report for duty from Monday (25), Teachers Principals Joint Alliance

Cabinet paper to declare sea area as highly sensitive marine ecological zone

The sea area from Mannar to Rameshwaram in India should be immediately designated as a High Sensitive Marine Ecological Zone in our country, the Environment Ministry said.

If inter-provincial travel restrictions extended, buses will run under special permission: Dilum

If the inter-provincial travel restrictions are extended again, steps will be taken to run several buses between provinces for the benefit of the working public, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Govt. to airlift nano liquid fertilizer from India

With farmers demonstrating against the government over the delay in the supply of fertilizer, the government decided to airlift a stock of nano liquid fertilizer from India soon, a Minister said.

Bandula Warnapura passes away

Sri Lanka’s first Test Captain Bandula Warnapura passed away at the age of 68 while under treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.

India’s Kushinagar airport to be opened with flight from SL on October 20

Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, India will be inaugurated next Wednesday with a flight of a 125-member delegation including 100 Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka, Daily Mirror learns.

CB to propose resumption of car imports paid via foreign currency

The Central Bank is expected soon forward a proposal to the government for consideration, urging to explore the possibility of resuming car imports paid via foreign exchange as vehicle imports remain suspended for 18 months, exerting pressure on the country’s foreign exchange since the onset of the pandemic last year.

Rice Millers’ Assn. urge govt to impose price control

The Sri Lanka Rice Millers’ Association requested the government to impose control price again for rice, as the price of one kilogram of rice is likely to be increased by Rs.25.

Diana to make a disclosure regarding SJB General Secretary

As the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) informed the Secretary General Parliament that Diana Gamage is no longer an MP since she has been expelled from the party, Ms. Gamage said she will make a disclosure with regard to the SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara soon.

SL raises strong objections with India over fishermen row

Sri Lanka has raised its strongest objections with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian leaders, over the increase in trespassing of Indian fishermen in local waters in recent weeks and the use of bottom trawling which is destroying the sea bed in Sri Lankan waters.

Kandy Players Seek Fair Chance

A section of Kandy Sports Club players were stunned last Thursday when they learnt through media that their chances of representing Sri Lanka in the upcoming Asia Sevens Rugby Series had been shattered following a protest from a few clubs, which left Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) and Ministry of Sports with no choice but to turn their backs on Kandy stars.

Prez not to prioritise construction of new diesel, coal power plants: Amaraweera

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided not to give priority to the construction of new diesel and coal power plants in our country again.

LPBOA to introduce bus service sans conductors soon

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) to introduce a ticketing system in place of a physical conductor in the bus.

AG, President must take responsibility for withdrawing indictments against politicians: LNPP

Claiming that there were personal and political objectives behind the moves of the Attorney General to withdraw indictments filed against politicians, Lawyers for National Peoples’ Power (LNPP) said today the Attorney General and the President should take the responsibility over the withdrawals.

Electronic toll collection at expressways to help alleviate traffic congestion: Johnston

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando today said that action would be taken to introduce electronic toll collection (ETC) at expressways to help alleviate traffic congestion, reduce delay, fuel consumption, and vehicle emissions.

Young lovers trampled on live wire electrocuted

A couple of young lovers who accidentally trampled on a live wire which had been laid in a cultivated land in Pitawala, Kolonne had died of electrocution yesterday.

12 more die of COVID-19

A total of 12 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (16) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,484.

President said some recommendations cannot be implemented - Cardinal

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had told him that it was not possible to implement every recommendation that has been made by the Presidential Commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said.

Protest against Indian fishermen poaching in SL waters

Fishermen in the Northern Province today staged a protest against the Indian fishermen poaching in the Sri Lankan waters.

Growth in tourist arrivals: Over 7,000 arrived within 2 weeks

More than 7,000 tourists have arrived in Sri Lanka within the first two weeks of this month, the Tourism Ministry said.

Showers expected in Western and several other provinces: Met. Dept.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Sabaragamuwa and Central province while several spells of showers will occur in Western and North-Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Meteorology Department said.

India- SL joint military exercise likely to promote synergy, interoperability: Indian Army

The joint 12-day mega military exercise between India and Sri Lanka has the potential to further promote synergy and interoperability amongst the two armed forces alongside contributing in further strengthening of the bilateral ties,the Indian Army said.

23 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 23 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (15) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,472.

Presidential Task Force for Green Agriculture established

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a 14-member Presidential Task Force for Green Agriculture.

New variants can enter the country at any time, warns Health DG

There is always the possibility of new COVID-19 variants entering into the country, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardane said.

Conspiracy by Rathana Thera triggered chemical fertilizer issue: AJP

The sudden decision by the government to stop importing chemical and organic fertilizers took place as a result of a conspiracy by parliamentarian Ven. Rathana Thera, Ape Janabala Pakshaya (AJP) National Organizer Dr. Susantha Kodithuwakku said.