Xi says China will not build new coal-fired power projects abroad

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China would not build new coal-fired power projects abroad, using his address at the United Nations General Assembly to add to pledges to deal with climate change.

Fresh milk costlier than milk powder: Importers

Asking people to consume fresh milk is more expensive than buying milk powder to make a litre of milk, local milk powder importer associations said.

Russia to increase number of regular flights to Sri Lanka

Russia will increase the number of regular flights to Sri Lanka starting from November 4, the anti-coronavirus crisis centre told reporters on Wednesday.

UK Covid travel rules for Egypt, SL, Maldives ease; Foreign Office still advise against holidays

Top destinations Sri Lanka, Egypt and the Maldives are now off the red list for British travellers, but the Foreign Office (FO) still suggests against non-essential travel for holidaymakers according to their official website.

Primary schools to reopen by October 15?

The Education Ministry is hoping to reopen schools that have lesser than 200 children from Grade five and below from October 15, Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera said.

FDA authorizes booster dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for people 65 and older

The US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday it would grant emergency use authorization for a booster dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine in people 65 and older, people at high risk of severe disease and people whose jobs put them at risk of infection.

Delta peak now over

The peak of the Delta variant is now over in Sri Lanka and the number of deaths and infected patients have reduced but health authorities yesterday warned that there were 50% chances of another peak based on future pandemic behavior and probable mutations.

Sri Lanka as COVID-19 knowledge exchange regional hub: President proposes at UN

Sri Lanka has proposed to establish a Regional Knowledge Hub in Colombo in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), to facilitate exchange of lessons learnt from COVID 19 and support countries to build back better.

Eliyantha White succumbs to COVID-19

Controversial self-proclaimed spiritual healer Eliyantha White, who was infected with the COVID-19 virus, passed away a short while ago, sources said.

Probe launched on Ven. Gnanasara’s statement about imminent terror attack: Minister

Investigations are being conducted on the statements made by Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera that a second extremist attack is imminent, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weekeraserna told Parliament today.

Brave cop thwarts drug peddler’s escapade in Rajagiriya: Two nabbed

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the Incident in which a police officer was injured during a drug raid at Obeysekarapura in Rajagiriya.

Sri Lankan HC to India Milinda Moragoda presents Credentials to Indian President

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Milinda Moragoda, appointed with cabinet rank, presented his Letter of Credence to President Shri Ram Nath Kovind of India today (22) in New Delhi.

92 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 92 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (21) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 12,376.

Tokyo court rules deportation of two Lankans by immigration authorities was unconstitutional

The Tokyo High Court on Wednesday ruled that Japanese immigration authorities’ actions involving two Sri Lankan men were unconstitutional after the men said they were deported, having been denied refugee status, without enough time to take legal action.

Update: Permission granted to keep bookstores open during restricted period

Permission had been granted to keep bookstores open during the quarantine curfew period, the Police said.

Ranil clashes with SJB MP in Parliament

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Vadivel Suresh and UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe were engaged in a cross talk in Parliament today.

CA orders to keep Sujeewa and her calf elephant under Wildlife custody until September 29

The Court of Appeal today issued an order directing officials of the Department of Wildlife Conservation not to release a cow elephant named ’Sujeewa’ and her three-month-old baby elephant back to the claimants until September 29. Accordingly, Sujeewa and her calf will continue to stay under the custody of the Department of Wildlife Conservation until Court of Appeal issues a suitable order on the next hearing date.

Government scraps move to regulate social media

The Government has decided to scrap moves to regulate social media and websites by law.

CA grants permission to remove Wele Suda from Boossa prison for medical treatments

The Court of Appeal today granted permission to remove convicted prisoner Gampala Widanage Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda from Boossa Prison, for medical treatments.

Inquire immediately: Amaraweera tells CEA

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Director General to launch an immediate inquiry over dumping of fuel into the Diyawanna Oya.

Main suspect in shooting of 14-year-old boy to death arrested

The main suspect in the incident in where a 14-year-old boy was shot dead at Gajanayakagama in Weeraketiya, has been arrested, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Govt. will take action against Lohan based on investigation reports: Justice Minister

Appropriate action will be taken against State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, who was involved in a couple of incidents in Anuradhapura and Welikada prisons, based on the investigation reports, Justice Minister Ali Sabri said today.

Yohani to perform in India

Sri Lankan music artist and youth icon Yohani de Silva to make her first performance in India after her song ‘Menike mage hithe’ went viral in global.

Ishini Wickremesinghe resigned on her own accord: Minister

Assuring that there was no influence on Director General of the National Zoological Gardens, Ishini Wickremesinghe to resign from her position, Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C.B. Ratnayake said today she resigned on her own accord.

Arrest warrants outnumber policemen: Minister Weerasekera

At least a thousand policemen will have to be appointed to each police station, considering the large number of persons against whom arrest warrants have been issued, Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekerra told Parliament.

US firm wins Sri Lanka LNG deal

New Fortress Energy has finalised a contract with the government of Sri Lanka that gives it the rights to develop a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal off the coast of Colombo that is expected to start up in 2023

Construction of jogging track abutting Parakrama Samudra to go ahead

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) yesterday said that the Authority had planned to construct 26 jogging tracks across the country by the end of this year.

Youngsters refusing to take vaccines plunging country at risk

Referring to the hesitancy shown by the younger population to receive the COVID vaccine, Chairman of State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said it could result in high danger increasing the viral loads in the society.

Probe continues on ex-DIG Nalaka Silva based on Namal Kumara’s complaint: Minister

Further investigations were being carried out into former Terrorism Investigation Division Director Nalaka Silva upon a compliant lodged by Anti-Corruption Force Director Namal Kumara in 2018 on an alleged plot to assassinate the then President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary and incumbent President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara revealed today.

Setefano considered for SL 7’s Head Coach Job

Former Fiji Captain Setefano Cakau has been considered for the Sri Lanka Seven’s rugby head coach job despite Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) failure to finalize the national squad ahead of the Asia Rugby Seven’s Series in November.