Woman serving life imprisonment found innocent: CA observes trial judge misdirected himself of the facts

After spending more than two years in prison, a woman sentenced to life imprisonment for drug trafficking was acquitted by the Court of Appeal, observing that the High Court judge has misdirected himself of the facts during the trial.

Vaccinating adolescents takes two weeks to kick off

The vaccination drive for all those who are aged between 15 and 19 could commence within the next two weeks, State Minister Channa Jayasumana said today.

GMOA introduces measures to prevent fifth COVID wave

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday introduced several measures to prevent the country moving towards a fifth COVID wave.

Fmr. MP Ranjith Aluvihare infected with COVID

Matale District former State Minister and MP Ranjith Aluvihare has been diagnosed with COVID-19 virus.

UN Chief assures fullest positive cooperation to SL

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that the UN will provide its full support to Sri Lanka in moving forward to promote unity among different communities.

Govt. ready to spend billions of rupees to clean Kelani River: Amaraweera

The government is ready to spend billions of rupees for the conservation of the Kelani River in the next few years, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

14-year-old boy shot dead in Weeraketiya

A 14-year-old boy has been shot dead at Gajanayakagama in Weeraketiya, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

PM returns from Italy

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and his delegation who were on an official visit to Italy to attend the G20 Interfaith Conference, returned to the island this morning, the Katunayake Airport Duty Manager said.

Fears remain oil still inside X-press Pearl

Fears remain that there may be oil still inside the sunken ship, X-press Pearl, despite various assurances given earlier, officials said. Dharshani Lahandapura, the Chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) told Daily Mirror that foreign experts believe that there is no bunker oil remaining in the ship.

SLC to ‘seriously consider’ replacing New Zealand in Pakistan if invited

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) would ‘seriously consider’ replacing New Zealand in Pakistan should they receive an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) according to SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva.

103 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 103 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (18) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 12,125.

PCB reaches out to SLC for short tours but no series could be planned

The Pakistan Cricket Board had reached out to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh for a short series in the country to make up for the cancellation of the New Zealand tour but since players from both the nations had prior commitments, no series could be planned.

Major decline in COVID cases, hospitalization: Health officials

There is a sharp decrease in COVID-19 cases being reported daily and also the number of hospitalization has also vastly gone down, Health officials pointed out today.

CID summons Manusha Nanayakkara

Samagi Jana Balawegya (SJB) MP Manusha Nanayakkara has been summoned to the CID tomorrow.

Japan to reopen borders for returnees from six countries including Sri Lanka

In a major change to border-control measures, Japan will from Monday allow re-entry to all returnees from six countries including Sri Lanka who were blacklisted over the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.

CAA Executive Director to quit?

Executive Director of the Consumer Affairs Authority Thushan Gunawardane has decided to resign from his post.

Only three prisons equipped with CCTV cameras; Welikada and A’Pura prisons not among them

Installation of CCTV cameras in the Welikada prison is currently underway and only three prisons in the country are equipped with CCTV camera system, the Prisons Department said .

Hambantota Mayor arrested over assault in Bambalapitiya

The Bambalapitiya Police has arrested Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando in connection with an alleged assault, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Mahela Jayawardena rejects team India’s head coach offer: Report

With all the speculations happening around who will replace Ravi Shastri as the head coach of Team India, there are reports that BCCI had offered former Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardena the portfolio.

Imported milk powder to go up by Rs. 200?

Following discussions with Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday, it has come to a conclusion with the milk powder importers to increase the price of 1 kg of imported milk power by Rs.200.

President arrives in New York

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in New York to attend the 76th United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA) Session.

SL receives 120,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine

A consignment of 120,000 vials of second dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines was brought to the country this morning.

20-30 age group deceived by myth prefer ’super vaccine’

Due to a belief in a super vaccine, intimidation of people and by various parties spreading malicious myths about the effects of vaccination, people between the ages of 20 and 30 do not go for it, whereas it is not due lack of interest in getting the vaccine, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando said.

Covid-19 death toll exceeds 12,000

The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka exceeded 12,000 with 84 more deaths being reported today.

Re-opening liquor shops: Medical professionals raise red flag

Several medical professional bodies have raised concerns opposing the decision to re-open liquor shops claiming that with this decision, COVID-19 norms are going for a toss.

Health Ministry not consulted when taking decision to reopen liquor shops: Deputy DG

The decision to reopen liquor shops has been taken without the consultation of the Health Ministry, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said today.

Full scale probe vital into recent opening of wine stores: Amaraweera

A full scale investigation should be conducted into the opening of liquor stores yesterday, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said

Proposal to get MBBS degree at the age of 22: Dr. Kolabage

A proposal has already been made to create a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree and become a fully qualified doctor by the time the person turns 22 years of age, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) General Committee Member Dr. Prasad Kolabage said.

Expressway cashier vanished with Rs.1.4 Mn arrested

The cashier attached to the Galenigama Interchange of the Southern Expressway who fled with Rs.1.4 million in cash taken from the safe of the Interchange booth office, was arrested yesterday.

MP Samarasinghe to quit Parliament to take over as SL envoy in US

Former Minister and current Kalutara district SLPP MP Mahinda Samarasinghe has decided to resign from his Parliamentary seat and expects to take over the post of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the USA and Mexico.