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.

20 train compartments arrive under Indian Line of Credit: GMR

The Railways Department yesterday received 20 railway compartments out of 160 passenger coaches funded under an Indian Line of Credit of USD 318 million, the Railways General Manager, Dhammika Jayasundara said.

Vaccination rollout demonstrates confidence among many countries: Edu. Minister

The fact that China, India, the US, Russia, and European countries have given more COVID vaccines to Sri Lanka than expected demonstrates their confidence in the country, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

50% total population fully vaccinated by yesterday: State Minister

Around 50% of the country’s total population were fully vaccinated by yesterday, State Minister of Manufacturing, Supply and Regulations Channa Jayasumana said.

Relief packages for 17,000 private buses from next week: Dilum

The Transport Ministry has decided to provide relief packages for 17,000 private buses starting next week, Transport Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

France recalls envoys from US and Australia in protest at submarine deal

France has recalled its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra for consultations, in a diplomatic protest against a new security pact under which Australia will buy nuclear-powered submarines from the US and cancel its existing contract with Paris.

Navy siezed vessel carrying heroin along with nine foreigners

Sri Lanka Navy seized another foreign fishing vessel, carrying a large consignment of heroin, with nine foreign suspects in international waters.

4mn doses of Sinopharm vaccines arrive in SL

Sri Lanka has today received four million doses of Sinopharm vaccines from China freighted by two SriLankan Airlines aircraft, the airport duty manager said.

President leaves for USA to attend United Nations General Assembly

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has left for the USA to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Adolescents to be vaccinated only under medical care at Hospitals

The adolescents will be vaccinated with Pfizer’s COVID-19 jabs only at hospitals under medical care, a minister said. The government has taken a decision to give Covid jabs to all those aged between 15 and 19 following recommendations by the experts’ committee appointed in this regard.

SL removed from UK’s red list

The United Kingdom has removed Sri Lanka from its red travel list with effect from 4 am on September 22, Sri Lankan High Commission in London announced.

Ratwatte issue; EC to request Speaker to take appropriate action

While claiming that the public will lose faith in the country’s electoral system and democracy when public representatives enter prisons and intimidate inmates, the Election Commission (EC) said that it would request the Speaker in Parliament to take appropriate action in this regard.

Heath Ministry, Police clarify move to prohibit unvaccinated people from entering cities

Referring to the move to prohibit unvaccinated people above 30 years of age from entering Bandarawela and Mannar Towns, the Health Ministry said they did not issue guidelines to implement such a move.

Govt. shows unofficial green light to open liquor stores

Countrywide liquor shops were opened to the public around 3.00pm today following an unofficial order received by the Department of Excise from the Ministry of Finance, the Excise sources said.

No issue for cardiac patients to get Covid vaccines: Cardiologist

Claiming that there was no issue for cardiac patients to receive Covid vaccine, Cardiac Specialist today requested all active and chronic cardiac patients to receive both doses of any Covid vaccine claiming that they were more vulnerable to develop complications or even death.

Bathiudeen further remanded till Oct. 1 over the death of 16-year-old girl

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who had been named as the fifth suspect over the death of a 16-year-old domestic aide at his residence was today ordered to be further remanded till October 1 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Decrease in daily COVID cases not due to poor testing: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry today dismissed claims that the daily COVID cases have decreased due to the lesser number of PCR and Rapid Antigen tests conducted on daily basis.

Red alert for 14 districts on severe lightning: Met Dept.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 14 districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Rs. 44 Bn defaulted bills; CEB is unable to extend relief period anymore: Lokuge

Claiming that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) was in a deepening financial crisis due to the defaulted electricity tariffs, Power and Energy Minister Gamini Lokuge said today the CEB is no longer in a position to extend the relief period granted to pay the bills.

Canva: Australian online design platform valued at $40bn

Australian graphic design business Canva has become one of the world’s biggest privately-owned companies after being valued at $40bn (£29bn). Canva was founded in Sydney in 2013 by Australians Melanie Perkins, 34, and Cliff Obrecht, 35. Perkins is the daughter of an Australian-born teacher and a Malaysian engineer of Filipino and Sri Lankan descent.

Banks watchful of foreign currency transactions via cards

Local banks on their own have started implementing a set of measures on limiting foreign currency transactions via debit and credit cards due to the volatility prevailing in the country’s forex market arising from the shortage of US dollars.

Presidents instructs to inoculate children above age 15 with Pfizer

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed authorities to inoculate children between age 15 to 19 with Pfizer vaccines, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Lohan Ratwatte sets great example, says Wimal

Referring to the recent incident transpired in the Anuradhapura Prison involving State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa said Lohan set an example for political culture by resigning from the post following the incident.

’’I stopped the prisons from burning. Am I stupid to threaten the prisoners?’’

State Minister of Gem and Jewelry Related Industries Lohan Ratwatte who has pushed the government into a hot soup over allegations that he threatened a group of Tamil prisoners over the weekend, yesterday denied all accusations leveled against him saying he was ‘not stupid’ to resort to such action.

Lockdown further extended till Oct 1

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the lockdown has been further extended till October 1.

False alarm over attack at airports; Defence Sec. urges public not to panic

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne today urged the general public not to panic over information on a fake threatening email received by the airport authorities over a possible attack.