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.

Advisory for gusty winds & rough seas issued

The Department of Meteorology today issued an advisory for strong winds and rough seas that could be experienced in several areas in the country.

Australia’s richest woman warns Australia will end up impoverished like Sri Lanka

Gina Rinehart, Australia’s richest woman worth $31billion, has warned Australia is on the same track as Sri Lanka and Argentina in falling from prosperity to poverty due to a big-spending, regulation-heavy government.

Customs bust large-scale gold smuggle

The officers attached to the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Division today thwarted an attempt to smuggle 16 kg of gold into the country, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

Commercial objectives behind anti-vax campaigns: Medical Expert

Commercial objectives were operating behind anti-vaccine movements active in Sri Lanka and websites that were promoting such anti-vax campaigns, a medical expert said today.

MRIA records highest passenger arrivals this year: Namal

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) has recorded its highest number of passenger arrivals this year, Minister Namal Rajapaksa said.

Authorities keen on fulfilling demands of Health TUs: Health Ministry

The Government and the Health Ministry have paid due attention on breaking the logjam of the grievances of the Health Trade Unions (TUs), Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

NIC to every child at birth to ensure child rights, social security: GMOA

A proposal was handed over to the President for issuing a National Identity Card (NIC) number to every child at birth to ensure child rights and social security, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Arrivals at BIA being given the boot over rapid PCR testing facility

The PCR testing facilities established at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) continues to be suspended and is yet to take off ground, airport sources said.

Opening of Liquor shops violating quarantine laws challenged in Supreme Court

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the authority’s decision to reopen liquor shops, violating the prevailing quarantine laws.

Strict guidelines to be issued on maintaining services after Oct.1

All arrangements will be taken to re-open the country after October 1 and the necessarily guidelines are being finalized presently, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Vaccinating children above 12 still undecided: Sudarshini

Scientific researches carried out globally have underlined that COVID-19 vaccines may pose greater threat on children above 12 than coronavirus itself, State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID-19 Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said.

Decline in Covid cases among pregnant mothers during last two weeks: Dr. Chithramali

Claiming that about 7,000 pregnant mothers have been infected by the Covid-19 so far in Sri Lanka, Family Health Bureau Director Dr. Chithramali de Silva said today there was a decrease in Covid-19 cases among pregnant mothers during the last two weeks.

SL born doctor drowns in late-night swim in Margate in England

A heartbroken family have paid a touching tribute to a junior doctor who drowned in Margate in England after a late-night swim ended in tragedy, foreign media reported.

Prioritise issuing sand mining permits to villagers who depend on it: Amaraweera

Environment Ministry has instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to give priority to the people living in sand mining villages in Trincomalee in the future when issuing permits for sand mining.

Govt. promised prosperity but struggles to provide essentials at least: JVP

The Government, which came to power with a promise to create prosperity in the country through the slogan “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, has not even been able to supply at least the essential commodities such as gas and milk powder to its people, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

30,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines for children delivered

A batch of 30,000 doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for vaccinating children above 12 years reached the country this morning flown in by Qatar Airways.

UNP leader doubts whether lock­down will be lif­ted on Oct 1

Former Prime Min­is­ter Ranil Wick­remes­inghe yes­ter­day expressed doubt that quar­ant­ine curfew will be lif­ted on Octo­ber 1 2021 but will be exten­ded fur­ther given the situ­ation per­tain­ing to fuel sup­ply.

Mahela eligible to attend selection committee meetings on World Cup tour: Aravinda

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, who has been recently appointed as a consultant, is ‘eligible’ to attend the selection committee meetings on the World Cup tour, according to Aravinda de Silva, Chief of the Technical Advisory Committee.

Health Service TU action successful: Rathnapriya

The strike launched by the Health Service Trade Union Collective was successfully carried out in about 1,000 Government Hospitals from 7.00 am this morning, Government Nursing Officers Association (GNOA) President Saman Rathnapriya said.

CMC urges property owners in city limits to register their ownership

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) urged private property owners in the city limits who have not registered with CMC, to register their ownership before November 30 this year.

CID arrest three suspects over murder of millionaire businessman Saman Wijesiri

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged murder of millionaire businessman and engineer Saman Wijesiri who had gone missing since 2018.

Alternative road to ease traffic at Warakapola town: Johnston

Highways Minister Johnston Fernando advised constructing an alternative road from Warakapola town, parallel to the Colombo - Kandy road on view to reduce traffic congestion in the Warakapola town and Ambepussa.

Unproven herbal medications haunt SL’s vaccination drive

As the anti-vax movement is gaining momentum in Sri Lanka especially among the youth, senior medical doctors yesterday expressed caution over unproven herbal medications which were popping up on social media claiming to be immune boosters and a cure for COVID-19, luring the youngsters to take it instead of the vaccines.

Kamzy refuses to boycott Sri Lanka

Newly elected Norwegian Labour Party MP, Sri Lankan born Kamzy Gunaratnam says she will ask the new Norwegian government to continue engagement with Sri Lanka.

Illegal pyramid schemes: Central Bank and Police must act before it is too late

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Minister of Youth & Sports, Minister of Development Co-ordination and Monitoring, and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development Namal Rajapaksa said The Central Bank of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka Police must take action to regulate illegal pyramid schemes before it is too late.

71 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 71 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (25) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 12,680.

Conduct PC, Local govt. polls early next year: Sajith tells Govt.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to conduct provincial council and the local government elections which are due early next year without any delay.