President’s decision to appoint Janaprith Fernando as the Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council challenged in SC

The life members and committee members of the Ceylon Scout Council have filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging appointment of Deputy Chief Commissioner Janaprith Fernando to the post of Chief Commissioner of the Ceylon Scout Council.

European Commission delegation to arrive in SL to assess ground situation for GSP +

A delegation of European Commission, the body with authority to decide on the extension of the trade faculty called ‘GSP +’ will arrive in Sri Lanka on September for a fact finding mission , Foreign Secretary Prof. Jayanath Kolombage said.

Youth population highly reluctant to get jabs; only 20% vaccinated in Colombo

While commenting that the younger population aged from 20 to 29 show a great reluctance in receiving the COVID jab in the Colombo City, CMC Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ruwan Wijemuni said that only 20% of the estimated youth population had so far received the vaccine.

20ft container seized with illegally imported ginger, black gram, palm sugar

The officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Preventive Division seized a 20-foot container with dried ginger, black gram and palm sugar while being attempted to smuggle into the country, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and Media Spokesman Sudattha Silva said.

Pushpika denies it was she who was present with Ratwatte

Mrs. Sri Lanka World 2021, Pushpika De Silva yesterday denied allegations that it was she who was present with Ratwatte at the Welikada Prison premises.

Katugastota hospital doctor dies of COVID

A doctor attached to the Katugastota hospital died yesterday while receiving treatment at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital after contracting COVID-19, hospital director Dr. Arjuna Thilekerathne said.

Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine protection wanes, makes case for booster

New data from Moderna Inc’s (MRNA.O) large COVID-19 vaccine trial shows that the protection it offers wanes over time, supporting the case for booster doses, the company said in a news release on Wednesday.

Namal to visit Anuradhapura Prison today

Eleven Tamil prisoners who are held at the Anuradhapura Prison have sought a meeting with Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Namal Rajapaksa to discuss some immediate concerns, the Daily Mirror learns.

Unvaccinated people prohibited from entering Bandarawela & Mannar

Unvaccinated people above 30 years of age will no longer be permitted to enter Bandarawela and Mannar Towns with effect from today (15), health officials said.

Cops injured during heroin raid; five nabbed with heroin

Five suspects have been arrested while two policemen sustained injuries during a raid on a heroin hideout at Dematagoda this evening, police said.

132 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 132 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (14) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 11,699.

Career Destroying Guide: Einsteins of National Cricket Selections

Sri Lanka’s embarrassing defeat to South Africa in the T20I series has made their chances of winning the upcoming World Cup a distant dream, and qualifying for it, playing against the likes of Ireland, Netherlands and Namibia, a fair challenge.

SL briefs US on initiatives over reconciliation, PTA & OMP

Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US Ravinatha Aryasinha briefed the Special Assistant to the US President on the initiatives taken by the Government to address the concerns on accountability, reconciliation, measures on preceding Human Rights Commissions, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

Suspect who brought hand grenade at private hospital arrested

A 26-year-old suspect from Uppuveli in Trincomalee had been arrested over the incident where a hand grenade was found at a private hospital in Narahenpita.

Exploring oil, gas in Mannar Basin only way to get rid of foreign debts: Gammanpila

Exploring and discovering oil and gas resources in the Mannar Basin in Sri Lanka is the only way to get rid of the US$47 billion in foreign debt currently affected by the government and other institutions in the country, Power Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Knowledge acquired by children will remain as an asset: Minister

The knowledge that children acquire can not be wiped out due to any disaster or actions of any individual. Therefore, the Education Ministry is committed to the development of children’s knowledge, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

Schools will reopen within two weeks: Health Ministry

The reopening of the schools would be done within the next two weeks, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Fifth seismic station in WP to gauge tremors within country: Env. Minister

Preliminary steps have been taken by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to establish the fifth seismic station in the Western Province (WP) to measure tremor activities in and around Sri Lanka, the Environment Ministry said.

Black fungus hitting COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka

The COVID-19 patients who have been diagnosed with ‘Black fungus’ have been detected from several areas of the country, Deputy Director-General of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said.

Oddamavadi cemetery can accommodate only 2,000 more burials

Medical Technical Services Director Dr. Anver Hamdani said that the Oddamavadi burial grounds in Batticaloa have room only to bury about 2,000 COVID-19 victims.

TNA, TNPF calls for immediate arrest of Lohan Ratwatta for allegedly threatening prisoners

The Tamil National Alliance has called on the government to immediately remove State Minister for Prison Management, Lohan Ratwatta and have him arrested and charged after an immediate inquiry for allegedly threatening to kill prisoners in Anuradhapura Prison on Sunday.

UPDATE - Lohan Ratwatta resigns from his portfolio

State Minister of Prisons Management and Prisoners’ rehabilitation, Lohan Ratwatte who has been caught in a controversy over allegedly threatening Tamil prisoners at the Anuradhapura Prison on Sunday, yesterday tendered his resignation to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa following instructions by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

CPA calls for immediate resignation of State Minister Lohan Ratwatte

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) today called for the immediate resignation of State Minister of Prison Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte and for the authorities to initiate a credible investigation into the alleged incidents, and action taken without fear or favour.

Postulant in a Galle convent dies after hanging

A 25-year old girl, an aspirant to become a nun at a convent in Galle was found hanging from an upstair window inside the convent last night, the Police said.

Paddy Marketing Board Chairman resigns

Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board Dr. Jatal Mannapperuma has resigned from the post.

Four suspects arrested with ICE worth over Rs. 79Mn in Talaimannar

Four suspects have been arrested when they attempted to smuggle 9kg and 914g of Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) into the country during an operation conducted by the Navy in the beach area of Urumalai, Talaimannar yesterday.

Duty of the State to protect rights of prisoners: UN

While condemning ‘any ill treatment of prisoners’, the United Nation today said that ‘the duty of the State was to protect the rights of prisoners’.

New Zealand , Sri Lanka discuss bilateral security cooperation

New Zealand High Commissioner Michael Appleton , who called on Secretary to the President Dr.P.B. Jayasundara, said he discussed bilateral security cooperation.

Application for 2021 A/L, grade 5 exam; deadline ends today

After extending the call for applications for the 2021 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) and the Grade Five Scholarship examinations will end today (15).

Committee decision on reopening schools, vaccines for school children today

The committee decision on beginning the COVID-19 vaccination rollout for school children and which grades could be opened first, will be taken up for discussion today, Health Minister Kehaliya Rambukwella said.