New set of policies for Dhamma schools to run under same system

A preliminary discussion on formulating a new set of policies for Dhamma schools held focusing on the need to run Dhamma schools under the same current system by the government.

Third dose for 20 plus around the corner

The Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD) has instructed the authorities to procure relevant stocks of Pfizer vaccines to be used as third dose for those above 20 years of age, sources said.

Administering Pfizer first dose to healthy 18-19 age group from Monday: GMOA

The Vaccine Technical Committee today decided to start administering the first dose of Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 18 and 19 from Monday, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

PHIs sound alarm over people forgoing health rules

After having relaxed the quarantine curfew, it has been observed that health guidelines and practices are going for a toss, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union claimed today.

Trains will be back on track from Oct. 15: GMR

The Railways Department is considering to resume train services in the country from October 15, General Manager of Railways (GMR) J.I.D. Jayasundara said.

US to support develop local transport sector

The Chief Political/Economic Officer of the US Embassy in Sri Lanka, Ms. Susan Walke, today said that the US government would extend all possible assistance to boost the transport industry in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet approval to be sought on ’Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund’ again: Gammanpila

A Cabinet Paper to setting up of ’Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund’ with a view to mitigate the impact of the fuel price increase on the consumers, would be presented to the Cabinet next Monday, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Three Women SSPs promoted as DIGs

Three Women Senior Superintendents of Police (SSP) have been promoted to the rank of acting Deputy Inspectors General (DIG) with immediate effect, Police said.

Bribery Commission summons Thirukumar Nadesan over Pandora Papers

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has summoned Thirukumar Nadesan to appear before the Commission tomorrow to record a statement with regard to allegations revealed on the ’’Pandora Papers”.

Pakistan quake kills at least 20, injures hundreds

At least 20 people were killed and about 300 injured on Thursday when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern Pakistan in the early hours as many of the victims were asleep, the Disaster Management Authority said.

A/L, Scholarship Exams to be rescheduled: Minister

The Advanced Level and Grade Five Scholarship Examination will be rescheduled and new dates will be announced shortly, State Minister of Education Reforms, Open Universities and Distance Learning Promotion Susil Premajayantha said today.

2020 O/L results re-scrutiny due date announced

The examinations department announced the due date for re-scrutiny of results of the recent 2020 GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination.

Appropriation Bill for 2022 presented in Parliament

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa presented the Appropriation Bill for 2022 in Parliament today.

SL’s economy projected to grow by 3.3% amidst uncertainties -WB

Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to grow by 3.3 percent in 2021, but the medium-term outlook is clouded by pre-existing macroeconomic weaknesses and the economic scarring from the COVID-19 pandemic. A gradual recovery will likely lead to corresponding improvements in labor market conditions. Most countries in South Asia are far from pre-pandemic trend levels,

Fully immunized passengers invited to duty-free shopping: BIA

Fully vaccinated passengers who arrive with a red stamp endorsement from the Airport Health Office on their vaccination certificate are invited for duty-free shopping, the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) announced.

State ministry held by Cabraal annulled

Through an extraordinary gazette notification, the state ministry of Money and Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reform portfolio, which was under the purview of Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been annulled after his resignation.

’Swarna’ Nadu rice from India to be sold at state run retail chains

The Cabinet decided to sell ’Swarna’ Nadu rice imported from India at Rs.98 a kg through the state -run SATHOSA and cooperative retail chains, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane said.

Cabinet nod for US $ 3.6bn Oman credit line to finance oil procurements

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a proposal to enter into a loan agreement for a US $ 3.6 billion credit line with the Government of Oman to finance petroleum procurement for a period of one year.

Ever Ace sets sail for Malaysia after docking 24 hrs at Colombo Port

Ever Ace, the world’s largest container ship, that docked at the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) of the Colombo Port, set sail to Malaysia, midnight, yesterday. The container ship, which is part of Evergreen Line, called at the Colombo Port late evening on October 5. The vessel arrived from Felixstowe, Suffolk.

Those in power from 1990 to 1998 should respond, says Namal

Referring to the Pandora Papers where Two Sri Lankans were listed over their alleged transactions, Minister Namal Rajapaksa said the relevant transactions had happened in the period from 1990 to 1998 and thus those in power during that period should express their stance.

NIA arrests ex-LTTE Intelligence member from Chennai for smuggling arms, drugs

The National Investigation agency (NIA) of India arrested on Wednesday a former member of intelligence wing of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) from Chennai, Tamil Nadu for his alleged involvement in smuggling arms and drugs from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, and utlising the proceeds to support the revival of the Tamil militant organisation.

Ministry issues official IDs for the first time to teachers, principals

In view of Teachers’ Day today, an official Identity Card (ID) was issued for teachers and principals for the first time in history by the Education Ministry.

Vaccination for children not a condition for reopening schools: Expert

Clarifying uncertainties in the society, Paediatrician Dr. Shaman Rajindrajith said vaccination of children does not become a prerequisite for reopening schools.

Healthy children from 15 to 19 to be vaccinated in descending order

The Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD) has approved and recommended giving Pfizer vaccine to healthy children in the age group from 15 to 19, a Committee member said today.

Fuel station worker manhandled for asking to wear facemask

An employee at a fuel station in Meegoda was hospitalized after a man had attacked and thrown the employee on the ground for having asked to wear a face mask.

Dr. Jasinghe elected as Bureau Chair of Environment Authorities

Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe has been elected as the chair of the Bureau of Environment authorities for one year.

Petroleum Resources Bill passed in Parliament

The Petroleum Resources Bill was passed in Parliament with amendments today.

First Intl. flight to depart from Ratmalana to Maldives after 5 decades

Ratmalana Airport is set to launch international flights in the region after 5 decades and the first flight is scheduled to depart for the Maldives next month, the Tourism Ministry said.

Bandula accuses CID for not probing his complaint impartially

Claiming that the CID had failed to record a statement from the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) official who made allegations against him over garlic scam, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardane today requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to order the IGP and the CID to conduct an impartial investigation into his complaint.

Trinco oil tanks not given to India; Gammanpila misleading country: Vijitha

Claiming that Trincomalee Oil Tanks had not been handed over to India through the Indo-Lanka Agreement as claimed by Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath today urged the Government to reveal whether the oil tanks would be handed over to India by this Government.