Ranjan willing to give evidence on those listed in Pandora Paper: Lawyer writes to BC

Imprisoned former MP Ranjan Ramanayake’s lawyer today informed Chairperson of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Eva Wanasundara that his client is willing to give evidence in connection with the Sri Lankans listed in the controversial Pandora Paper.

Katina Perahera not allowed, 20 participants to Katina Chivara Pooja, noon alms, religious sermons

The Buddhist Affairs Department issued a circular today announcing that permission will not be granted to conduct the Katina Perahera due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, Department Commissioner General Sunanda Kariyapperuma said.

Two Iranian inmates killed, 8 hospitalized after drinking sanitizer

Two Iranian inmates detained at the Colombo Remand Prison were killed and eight others were hospitalized after they consumed alcohol-based sanitizer.

Govt. will not allow private bus industry to fail: Minister

The government will not allow the private bus industry to collapse and has decided to uplift the bus industry, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

NMRA webbed by corruption and frauds, reveals committee

It has been disclosed that there have been corruption and fraud within the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) since 2015, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

Ex-DIG Vass Gunawardena’s appeal to be heard on day-to-day basis

The appeal filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena and four police officers challenging Colombo High Court’s judgment to convict them for committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam was today fixed for arguments by Supreme Court.

Bathiudeen released on bail in two cases

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who was in remand custody in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, was released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

Fraud Bureau yet to obtain questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon Jennifer Ingleton

The Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau has informed Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that they have not been able to obtain several documents including the purported last will of late Miss Ceylon 1962 Jennifer Ingleton (nee Labrooy) and her marriage certificate from Colombo District Court, as a part of a magisterial inquiry.

Compensate home-quarantined state employees through Agrahara: PM tells officials

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed the relevant authorities to formulate a mechanism to compensate the state employees who undergo home quarantine due to COVID-19 infection, through the Agrahara Insurance scheme.

Monetary policy rates of CBSL remains unchanged

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced today that it will continue to maintain policy rates at the current levels.

Legal approval received for number portability service: TRCSL

Legal approval has been received for the number portability facility, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Director General Oshada Senanayake said.

Navy seizes two vessels with 23 Indian fishermen in SL waters

Two Indian fishing vessels have been taken into the custody by the Sri Lanka Navy yesterday with 23 Indian fishermen aboard while poaching in Sri Lankan waters in seas east of Point Pedro and Vettilaikeni.

My popularity went sky high; I don’t know how it happened, says Yohani

’’Get ready to accept defeat. You can move on from there, ’’the internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan singer Yohani de Silva said at a press conference last evening.

Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera requests Prez to order probe

Head of Rata Rakina Jana Handa Organization Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera in a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had requested him to order a probe on the disclosures made by Pandora Papers recently and Panama Papers in 2016.

IMF lowers Sri Lanka’s outlook on persistent pandemic pressures

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its growth outlook for Sri Lanka, alongside the rest of the world’s, on the risks stemming from the prolonged virus that gave rise to supply chain disruptions and higher price pressures, which made the global recovery a difficult and an uneven affair.

Kandy players to be given 7s chance

Ministry of Sports and Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) have agreed to provide an opportunity for players from Kandy SC and CR & FC to be considered for national selection despite earlier informing them that they could not participate in the Club 7’s organized by Police Sports Club at the end of this month.

Rohitha says no intention of getting involved with cricket administration

Former club rugby player Rohitha Rajapaksa yesterday denied that he wanted to play at the upcoming Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Major League 50-over tournament, also shooting down media reports that he was bidding to feature in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in December or potentially run for cricket administration.

10-30 % of total infected patients suffer from post-COVID symptoms

Shedding light on post-COVID condition in Sri Lanka and control measures, a medical expert said at least 10 to 30% of total patients infected with COVID-19 suffer from post COVID symptoms.

31 more COVID-19 deaths reported:Death toll surges to 13,408

A total of 31 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (12) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,408.

Edu. Minister conveys Govt’s final decision to reopen schools on Oct. 21

Education Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena today assured that the government had taken the final decision to resume school education on October 21.

Appeal by Kotte chief prelate to teachers to resume teaching

The Chief Prelate (Mahanayake) of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha of Siyam Maha Nikaya, Ven. Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Anu Nayake Thera, made a kind appeal to all teachers in the country to resume their teaching practices as soon as possible.

Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC permitted to resume business

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has made an order permitting Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP) to resume business for a limited period of six months with effect from today.

Administering Pfizer to school children: Pilot project on Oct. 15

A pilot project to administer Pfizer vaccines to students sitting for the A/L examination and for those who have previously sat will be held on October 15 in all Colombo education zones, Education Ministry additional Secretary (School Affairs) L.M.G. Dharmasena said.

Police urge motorists to use alternative routes to ease traffic jam

Police today advised public and motorists using Baseline Road and the port access road as alternative routes to minimize the traffic congestion due to the construction of the new Kelani Bridge that is at the final stages.

Indictments against Wasantha Karannagoda to be withdrawn - AG

The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the indictments filed against former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda at Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar in connection with the abduction of eleven persons will be withdrawn.

Viral video by tourist: What he said is misleading, fabricated, SL clarifies

Referring to the recent video by a tourist that went viral on social media, the Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka said that what was said in the video is misleading and not the real picture at the airport.

Teachers and Principals to continue their TU action

Teachers’ and Principals’ trade unions had decided to continue their trade union action, Ceylon Teachers union President Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

China insists no threat to ties with Sri Lanka

China has insisted that there is no threat to its bilateral relations with Sri Lanka despite the recent controversy over organic fertilizer.

GSMB nets Rs.2,028 revenue through issuing 777,000 licenses: Env. Ministry

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) had issued 777,000 licenses for sand, gravel, soil transportation and the issuing of such licenses will exceed one million by the end of this year, the Environment Ministry said.

Rapid increase in kerosene stoves, electric cooker purchases: Pettah vendors

Due to the sudden increase in the prices of domestic gas, a trend has been created to buy kerosene stoves and electric cookers from markets around the country, including in Pettah, the Pettah United National Association of Self-Employed Traders said.