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.

Teachers can complain if threatened for conducting online classes: Police

Teachers who conduct online classes for students can lodge a complaint directly with the CID if any party or individual threatens them not to indulge in online teaching activities, the Police Headquarters announced.

Cancer Researcher Ashani Weeraratna appointed to National Cancer Advisory Board by President Biden

Johns Hopkins scientist Ashani Weeraratna, PhD, a leading cancer researcher who specializes in melanoma and the effects of aging on cancer, has been appointed by President Joe Biden to serve as a member of the National Cancer Advisory Board. The White House announced the appointment on September 15.

SF encourages prison inmates to thrash politicos if they are harassed and intimidated

Inmates in prisons should break the bones of State Ministers if they storm into prisons and harass them by keeping pistols on their heads, an SJB MP said yesterday.

Ratwatte still as State Minister of Gem Industries: Ruwan wants Govt. to clarify its stance

Government should clarify whether Lohan Ratwatte still functions as the State Minister in charge of Gem and Jewellery related industries, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

UN expert draws bleak picture of Sri Lanka

A UN expert has drawn a bleak picture of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, especially over the past 18 months.

Minister instructs IGP to probe complaint against Ratwatte

Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera has instructed IGP Chandana Wickramaratne to immediately investigate the complaint lodged with the CID against State Minister Lohan Ratwatte.

Colombo light rail MoU signed in South Korea

KCI Metro Link Korea Co and the GBK Consortium of more than 15 South Korean companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to undertake a feasibility study for a light rail line running north from Colombo to Bandaranaike International Airport and Negombo, along with an associated mixed use development.

Youth less interested not due to mythical belief but waiting for Pfizer: Dr. Jayatissa

Youth aged between 20 and 30 have shown a less interest in getting their vaccination not because of mythical beliefs such as sexual dysfunction but they are waiting for the Pfizer vaccine, Former JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Fifth wave inevitable, if protests continue after reopening country: GMOA

If another wave of protests continue along with the re-opening of the country, it would be unable to prevent the emerging a fifth COVID wave, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Lifting quarantine curfew - President to review recommendations tomorrow; Army Chief

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that authorities will present recommendations and guidelines to the President tomorrow at the Presidential Task Force meeting on Covid-19 to take a decision with regards to the current quarantine curfew.

Health experts urge Govt. to extend lockdown further

In such a situation where the speculations on lifting current lockdown are on the spotlight, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) urged the Government to further extend the lockdown until the beginning of October.