Health TUs to launch strike from 7.00 am to 12.00 noon tomorrow

The Health Service Trade Union Collective said today they would launch a five-hour strike from 7.00 am to 12.00 noon tomorrow at all Government Hospitals in the country, since the Government had failed to resolve their issues.

Heavy showers above 100mm on the cards in several provinces

Heavy showers above 100mm are expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa,Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Meteorology Department said..

Delta variant spreading in Sri Lanka named as AY.28

The new Delta branch spreading in Sri Lanka has been officially named as AY.28, an alias of the Sri Lanka lineage which is B.1.617.2.28.

Iran calls for boosting trade, financial transactions with Sri Lanka

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) Akbar Komeijani welcomed Sri Lanka’s proposal for expansion of bilateral trade, reiterating that Tehran also expects Colombo to support Iran’s interests at the international societies as an independent country.

Police launch probe into suspected ISIS Whatsapp group operating in SL

An investigation has been launched after the Western Province Intelligence Division had received an information in connection to a WhatsApp group suspected to be connected to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), operating in Sri Lanka.

Chandima Weerakkody contracts COVID-19

MP Chandima Weerakkody has tested positive for COVID-19.

Ranil suspects tourism-based economic recovery lead to uncertainty

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says that economic recovery based on a resurgence of the tourism industry will lead to uncertainty.

79 more die of COVID-19: Death toll surges to 12,609

A total of 79 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (24) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 12,609.

Country can return to normalcy by second week of Nov. - Prof. Jayasumana

With vaccination drive which is underway in full swing, the people can go back to their normal lives by second week of the month of November, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said.

A businessman remanded over Garlic Scam

A businessman arrested for allegedly aiding and abetting to remove two containers with 54,000 kilograms of garlic belonging to Lanka Sathosa was yesterday ordered to be remanded till September 28 by Welisara Magistrate’s Court.

Next month extremely crucial, says Army Chief

The behaviour of people in the month of October would play a vital role in deciding the destiny of the country in the next few months in terms of the COVID-19 situation, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

PCR testing facility at BIA malfunctions; restoration very soon: Minister

The rapid PCR testing facility established at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), which was to kick off today, has malfunctioned due to a technical failure in the system, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

Health Minister optimistic on reopening country on Oct. 1

The country will be reopened on October 1 under certain restrictions, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

Chaos at BIA as arrivals still sent for mandatory quarantine

Chaos has broken out at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today as tourists are still being taken to hotels for quarantine procedures instead of the PCR facility established at the airport.

Drunken cop arrested for unruly behaviour at Magistrate’s residence

A Policeman who was deployed to the security of the Balapitiya Magistrate’s official residence was arrested by the Ambalangoda Police last night (24) for behaving in an unruly manner outside the residence under the influence of alcohol.

Govt. plans to make Sri Lanka carbon neutral country by 2050: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the government has made plans to transition away from fossil fuels, promote de- carbonization, and make Sri Lanka a carbon neutral country by 2050.

Dead Sri Lankan’s kin urge Japan immigration to accept responsibility

One of the sisters of a Sri Lankan woman who died in March following mistreatment at a Japanese detention facility has called on the immigration agency to accept responsibility for her sibling’s death as she left Japan.

Red alert on thundershowers issued to eleven districts: Met Dept.

A red alert has been issued on heavy showers or thunderstorms to 11 districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

COVID curbs to be lifted on October 1 in measured steps

The health authorities were instructed yesterday to work out guidelines to lift Covid curbs on October 1 onwards in measured steps, Daily Mirror learns.

SJB to brief Mahanayake Theras on New Fortress Energy deal

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to brief the Mahanayaka Theras of Asgiri and Malwatte on September 27, on the agreement which the government had got into with the American based New Fortress Energy to run the Kerawalapitiya power plant, an SJB MP said yesterday.

CMC steps in to assist vaccine roll-out for children

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to assist the health authorities in administering the COVID-19 vaccines to children within the municipal limit and directing them to vaccination centres, Chief Medical Officer of CMC Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said yesterday.

Government to felicitate Yohani on achievement

The Government is to felicitate Sri Lanka’s singing sensation Yohani on her achievement with the song Manike Mage Hithe.

Altair cautioned for not reporting fire

The management of Altair, a luxury residential and commercial building in Colombo, have been cautioned for failing to report a fire this week.

Steam-powered train to run between Fort-Ambepussa symbolising first train service: GMR

While symbolising the first train service in the country from Colombo Fort to Ambepussa railway station in 1864, the Railways department has planned to operate a steam-powered train between the two stations, Railways General Manager (GMR) Dhammika Jayasuriya said.

Mahela appointed as ’Consultant’ for T20 World Cup

Former national cricket captain Mahela Jayawardene was appointed as a ‘Consultant’ to the Sri Lanka team for the first round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next month.

Comprehensive plan to reopen the country: COVID-19 committee

The Special Committee on COVID-19 Control decided to devise a comprehensive plan on the health recommendations and restrictions that need to be imposed on reopening the country with the lifting of the curfew, the President Media Division said.

82 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 82 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (23) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 12,530.

COVID snatches another doctor’s life

A 31-year-old doctor has passed away due to Covid-19 while undergoing treatment at the Karapitiya Hospital.

Clear all stagnant essential food items from ports Immediately: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa instructed the Sri Lanka Customs Director General and the Import, Export Controller General to swing into immediate action to clear all essential food items currently piled up at the port.

Two prisoners including ex-LTTE cadre got through GCE O/L exam

Two prisoners including a former LTTE cadre who were detained at the Magazine Prison have got through the 2020 GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination, the Prisons Department said.