Death at Rishad’s house: AG appoints team comprising DSG to provide legal advice

The Attorney General has appointed a team comprising Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris to provide legal advice regarding police inquiries into the death of the girl who was working at the house of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, Attorney General’s Department sources said.

Defrauding a Sri Lankan living in Australia of Australian $ 180,500: Convicted lawyer released on bail

A lawyer, who has been jailed for 3 years by the High Court of Colombo, was granted bail pending appeal by the Appeal Courts.

Army Chief warns of emerging ‘wedding cluster’

There is a possibility of an emerging ’wedding cluster’ if the public does not adhere to health guidelines when hosting weddings, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva warned.

Probe began over fake news on Moderna vaccination in Kandy

A special investigation has been launched by the Kandy Police with the assistance of the CID to find those who are spreading false news about the Moderna vaccine on social media.

Hirunuka claims her phone number misused for social media websites

Former MP Hirunuka Premachandra today revealed that her phone number had been used by some group of men who run a false website and carry out various misdeeds using pictures of pretty girls which they download from Facebook.

U.S. cites SL a challenging place for businesses

The U. S. Department of States, in its 2021 Investment Climate Statement, identifies Sri Lanka as a challenging place to do business, with high transaction costs aggravated by an unpredictable economic policy environment, inefficient delivery of government services, and opaque government procurement practices.

U.S. donates 500,000 RDTs to Sri Lanka for early COVID-19 detection

The United States donated 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) as part of its commitment to support Sri Lanka’s fight against COVID-19.

PM to undertake first visit to Jaffna under SLPP govt.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will undertake a two-day visit to Jaffna on July 31 and August 1, his first visit since the Podujana government was sworn into power last year, Coordinating Secretary and Government’s Special Resettlement Facilitator to the North and East, Geethanath Kassilingham said.

Three soldiers arrested for extortion from drug traffickers

Three soldiers have been arrested for demanding ransom from drugs traffickers in Negombo and Chilaw yesterday, police said.

Massive protest march by teachers from Fort to Presidential Secretariat today

The pre-scheduled massive trade union action with protest march will be held in Colombo today, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Another 2 Mn Sinopharm vaccines arrive

Another consignment containing two million Chinese Sinopharm vaccines was brought into the country this morning to control the spreading of COVID-19, the airport duty manager said.

600,000 await Astrazeneca second jab, but where are the doses?

600,000 people are desperately awaiting the second dose of the Astrazeneca vaccine, which was expected to arrive in the country on July 19, but the date was later revised to July 21, but even as of today is yet to arrive.

NASA perseverance Mars Rover to acquire first sample

NASA is making final preparations for its Perseverance Mars rover to collect its first-ever sample of Martian rock, which future planned missions will transport to Earth. The six-wheeled geologist is searching for a scientifically interesting target in a part of Jezero Crater called the “Cratered Floor Fractured Rough.”

JVP to go to court against Tax Amnesty Bill

Claiming that the proposed ‘Tax Amnesty Bill’ was aiming to facilitate crooked businessmen loyal to the Government to legitimate money amassed through illegal channels, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said they were planning to go to court against this Bill.

Basil rejects social media claims on imposition of tax on EPF

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has rejected social media claims that soon after his appointment as the finance minister he is going to impose a 14% tax on Employment Provident Fund (EPF).

Woman accidentally jabbed twice at vaccination center

An elderly woman was accidentally jabbed with two doses of the Moderna vaccine today when she went for her inoculation at a center in Kandy.

Govt. will be compelled to increase fuel prices again : Ruwan

Government will be compelled to increase fuel prices once again to generate dollars to pay for imports, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

All citizens above 30 years of age would be vaccinated within next two months : Namal

While claiming that the all citizens above 30 years of age would be vaccinated within the next two months, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Namal Rajapaksa today expressed hope that the inter provincial travel restrictions could be lifted soon.

Govt. loses Rs. 3 Bn custom duty from import of 3,000 Toyota Hilux Smart Cabs: COPA

The Government has incurred a loss of Rs. 3 billion as the Customs Department had levied less customs duties intended for singles cabs when the Toyota Hilux Smart Cabs were imported by the Customs.

Health Ministry contradicts SLMA claims, says SL on end of third wave

Responding to claims made by Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) that the country is on the verge of facing a fourth wave, the Health Ministry today said there was no sign as of now to say that the country is heading to a fourth wave.

Dilan alleges of deal between SJB and Govt over NCM against Gammanpila

SLPP MP Dilan Perera said today that the opposition had admitted that the no-confidence motion brought against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was a deal favouring the government.

Sajith warns of protests in several constituencies from today

Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa has warned that the SJB would, from today, begin to hold protests in the constituencies of all MPs who voted against the no confidence motion on Minister Udaya Gammanpila yesterday.

PCoI on alleged incidents of human rights violations rules out calls to repeal PTA

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry for Appraisal of the Findings of Previous Commissions and Committees on Human Rights said in its interim report that the commission is not in agreement with the calls to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Solar power plant from India to Diyawanna Lake: Power Minister

While changing the direction of the power sector, attention was drawn to installing a Floating Solar System on the Diyawanna Lake to generate power for Parliament, Power Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Granting Presidential Pardon to Duminda Silva: Hirunika files FR petition

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, the daughter of slain politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the Presidential Pardon granted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva.

Main domestic aide's mobile phone handed over to CID: Police

Police have taken over the mobile phone of the main domestic servant of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s residence, where the 16-year-old girl died while working as a domestic aide for further investigations.

Hajj festival, spiritual celebration that displays mutual understanding, compassion: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the Hajj festival is a spiritual celebration that displays the spirit of mutual understanding, compassion and exchange of fond greetings among the Islam devotees the world over.

Health authorities concerned over spread of ’’TINEA’’

Health authorities expressed concern about a skin disease spreading in several areas including the North Central Province.

Over 5.8 mn people in SL receive 1st dose: Health Ministry

More than 5.8 million (5,876,282) persons above 30 years in the country have been vaccinated with the first dose of the Covid19 vaccines while, 1.6 million (1,697,689) persons have been vaccinated with the second dose as at Monday (19), the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry said.

Inter-provincial movement restrictions remains until further notice: Army Chief

The inter-provincial movement restrictions will remain in place until further notice, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.