Updated quarantine measures for travellers arriving in SL issued

The Health Ministry has issued the updated quarantine measures for travellers arriving in Sri Lanka during the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic.

CBSL pumps in US$ 50 Mn to facilitate release essential goods stuck at ports

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that US$ 50 million would be released to two state commercial banks to facilitate the release of essential items that are stagnant at the Colombo port.

Chinese organic manure sample rejected; contain bacillus bacteria: Agri. DG

Due to the presence of Bacillus bacteria in the fresh sample of the Chinese organic fertiliser, the agriculture department has rejected the organic fertiliser from that country, Agriculture Director General Dr. Ajantha de Silva said.

More thundershowers likely today: Met Dept.

Issuing a weather forecast for today, the Meteorological Department said there could be thundershowers in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon to be referred to Govt. Analyst

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday issued an order directing the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau that the purported original last will of late Miss Ceylon 1962 Jennifer Ingleton (nee Labrooy) be obtained from the Colombo District Court for the purpose of obtaining an analytical report from the Government Analyst’s Department.

Prices of rice and gas likely to spike: Ruwan

The price of rice is expected to go up once again with the removal of controlled prices while the price of gas too may go up, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Police have failed to arrest real culprits

Defence counsel appeared on behalf of two businessmen arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting to remove two containers with 54,000 kilograms of garlic belonging to Lanka Sathosa informed court that a false case had been filed against his clients aiming to protect the real culprits.

Hotels in the dark over new guidelines

Some Safe and Secure Level 1 hotels were in the dark last night over updated travel guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health which came into effect from today.

Ananda, Nalanda, Richmond battle for Prof. Senarath Paranavithana Memorial Shield

Prof. Senarath Paranavithana Memorial Shield 2021 Grand Finale, presented by the Royal College History Club is to be held today.

Ownership of LPL champions changes hands

The ownership of the Jaffna Stallions franchise, the winners of the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) tournament, has changed hands, with Sri Lanka-born British entrepreneur Subaskaran Allirajah acquiring the team for the upcoming season.

Govt. suspends order placed to procure Oxygen from India

The Government has decided to suspend the order placed to purchase 1,080 tonnes of liquid oxygen from India, required for the next three weeks.

Software engineer arrested for deleting NMRA data

The CID has arrested a former assistant software engineer at Epic Lanka Technologies in connection with the deletion of the computer data of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

New guidelines for passengers arriving in SL from midnight today

Fully vaccinated local and overseas passengers who had negative PCR test results done within 72 hours before their departure, are not required to be subject to an on arrival PCR test at the airport in Sri Lanka from midnight today, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Decision to increase fuel transportation by railway to 60%: Minister

The Transport Ministry and the Energy Ministry have decided to increase the transportation of fuel from 30% to 60% by train.

Harin hospitalized from heart complication

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP, Harin Fernando has been hospitalized after developing heart complications from a surgery conducted a few months ago, sources said.

Dr. Daminda to represent SLC at ICC bio-safety briefing

Dr. Daminda Attanayake will represent Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) at the upcoming ICC and BCCI organised bio-safety meeting on Thursday.

Colombo Municipal Councilor arrested for threatening Municipal Treasurer

The Cinnamon Gardens Police has arrested Colombo Municipal Councilor Mohamed Ramsey for allegedly threatening the Colombo Municipal Council Treasurer.

Leading rice mill owners announce revised prices for rice

Leading rice mill owners said today that they will not allow the price of rice to increase in the market in a manner that will cause inconvenience to consumers due to the removal of the control price imposed by the government on rice.

SL singing sensation Yohani joins Bollywood

Yohani de Silva, who became popular in many countries around the world with her song ’Manike Mage Hithe’, has entered as a vocalist for a Bollywood movie for the first time.

Britain puts army on standby as panic buying leaves petrol pumps dry

The British army was put on standby on Monday evening to help ease fuel supply chain issues caused by a shortage of truck drivers as scenes of panic buying were observed across the country.

Don’t let healthy children above 12 get vaccinated: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry today requested the parents not to direct their healthy children above 12 years of age for vaccination because there was no such a decision as of yet.

Northern PC Governor’s decision to remove Mannar PS Chairman challenged in Court

The Mannar former Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman has filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the Northern Province Governor’s decision to remove him from the posts of the Chairman and membership of the Pradeshiya Sabha.

Ramesh Pathirana contradicts Sudarshani on child vaccination

Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana contradicting State Minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle’s views on vaccinating children above 12 years of age, said today that according to reports, vaccinating children against Covid-19 was more beneficial than its harmful aspects.

Reports on garlic scam: PM instructs not to summon journalists to CID

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed the relevant officials not to summon the journalists to the CID, who disclosed the garlic scam to the media, Cabinet Spokesman Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Cop suspended for sending obscene video to fellow cop’s wife

A Policeman on duty on the expressway has been suspended for allegedly sending an obscene video to the wife of fellow constable via WhatsApp.

STF seizes heroin worth over Rs. 10Mn, foreign-made pistol in Matugama

The Special Task Force of Police (STF) recovered over 1 kg of heroin which has a street value of more than Rs. 10 million and a foreign-made micro pistol from an incomplete two-story house at Yatadolawatta in Matugama.

Lotus Tower joins White House, BT tower in London, Niagara falls, to be lit up

September is the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month The “Lotus Tower” in Colombo will join iconic structures and places in the world such as White House in the US, Niagara falls in Canada and BT Tower in London, to be illuminated in gold colour, to mark child cancer awareness, a statement from the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists said.

Rice price control scrapped

The Cabinet decided yesterday not to proceed with the proposed price hikes on cooking gas, wheat flour, and milk powder but resolved to scrap the maximum retail price on rice, Daily Mirror learns.

PM Modi asks Indian High Commissionor to spend US$1Mn annually

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to take measures to spend at least US $ 3 million annually out of US $ 15 million pledged for the development of Buddhist heritage and Hindu temples in Sri Lanka and report to New Delhi, Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Cabraal says firm no to IMF bailout, debt restructuring

Although a debt restructuring effort seems vital for Sri Lanka, as repeatedly called upon by some economic experts in the recent past, the government last week ruled out the need for such an endeavour, as it remains confident of honouring all its debt commitments on time.