Provincial Immigration offices open today

The provincial offices of the Immigration and Emigration Department will re-open today to serve the general public, the Controller said.

Ravinatha retires 9 months after US posting

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Ravinatha Aryasinha has retired from service, just nine months after being posted to Washington as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US.

Govt. did not take any decision on imposing 5% tax: Cabinet Spokesman

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dullas Alhapperuma said the Government had not taken any decision to impose a five percent tax on the income of the people drawing monthly salaries of more than Rs.100, 000 each.

Free RAT tests for Colombo residents

Free Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) will be offered today for residents in Colombo, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said.

School children should not be used as guinea pigs: Ven. Thera

Venerable Omlape Sobitha Thera who was speaking at a press conference of COVID Death Prevention Collective said it was not advisable to provide vaccines to school children at a time when there are uncertainties with regard to vaccines.

SL novelist Anuk Arudpragasam shortlisted for Booker Prize

Sri Lankan novelist Anuk Arudpragasam’s ’’A Passage North’’ has been shortlisted for the 2021 Booker Prize.

Appointment of Cabraal as Governor of Central Bank challenged in Court of Appeal

A writ petition was today filed in Court of Appeal seeking an order preventing Ajith Nivard Cabral from functioning as the Governor of Central Bank.

EU expresses regret over govt’s decision to not support UN framework

The European Union (EU) has expressed its regret over the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to no longer support the UN framework to address the legacy of the past conflict, to ensure acknowledgements for victims, and to foster accountability, reconciliation and human rights.

UNHRC Session: Core Group raises concern on current HR development in SL

The Core Group of Sri Lanka (Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro and the UK) today raised its concern about current human rights developments in Sri Lanka, including accountability, ongoing PTA detentions and increased limitations on civil society space.

Advance PCR lab at BIA for inbound foreign tourists

A PCR testing laboratory was established at the airport premises to perform PCR tests and issue reports in three hours for foreign tourists arriving in the country via Katunayake International Airport.

Malinga announces retirement from all formats of Cricket

Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga announced his retirement from all formats of cricket today.

Basil will present a budget like ’Aladdin’s Wonderful lamp’: S.M. Chandrasena

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will present a revolutionary and unimaginatory budget in November as his maiden budget, which would be like the Aladdin’s Wonderful Lamp, Minister S.M. Chandrasena said today.

Plans to ease traffic jam in Colombo: Ministry

A long term plan should be prepared by the Transport Ministry to establish safer, sustainable, and more convenient transportation systems in the Colombo city and its suburbs, Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

Sri Lanka rejects external initiative

While rejecting the external mechanism established to investigate issues in Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, in his statement to the UNHRC, informed that the government is committed to achieving tangible progress on the entire range of issues relating to accountability, reconciliation, human rights, peace and sustainable development.

COVID-19: SL not out of the woods yet, SLMA stresses

In a situation where there are talks on reopening the country and a gradual decrease in number of COVID-19 infections and deaths, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) emphasised that the country is still in the red zone in terms of the pandemic.

Hand grenade found at leading private hospital in Colombo

Police launched an investigation after a hand grenade was recovered at a leading private hospital in Narahenpita, Colombo today, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Sri Lanka set to cross 50 percent vaccination of population

Sri Lanka is poised to achieve today (September 14) a milestone in its mass inoculation drive against Covid -19 by giving full course of vaccination to 50 percent of its population, a triumph only second to the developed countries, Cabinet spokesman Minister Dalles Alahapperuma said.

Local power generation completely carbon-depleted by 2050: Dullas

A policy decision has been taken at the cabinet meeting to make the country’s electricity generation completely carbon depleted by the year 2050, Cabinet media spokesman and media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Country will reopen after next Monday: Sudarshani

Claiming that the Covid mortality and infections have reduced during the lockdown period, State Minister Sudarshani Fernadopulle said today that the Government will take steps to reopen the country after next Monday.

Supreme Court switches to Digital Hearing mode via zoom technology

The arrangements are being made to take up Mention Matters electronically as Digital Hearings commencing from 24th of September 2021, the Supreme Court announced today.

No permits issued to export sand to fill Maldive islands: GSMB

Rejecting reports claiming exporting sand from Sri Lanka to create an island in the Maldives, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) said according to the existing local Mineral Policy, the Bureau did not issue permits to export sand or any other minerals.

Moneragala High Court disqualifies a candidate convicted of bribing voters at LG Polls

Moneragala High Court Judge Ranga Dissanayake delivered a landmark judgment on September 13, 2021 disqualifying a candidate convicted of bribing voters, a statement from People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections(PAFFREL) said.

All post/sub post offices will be open four days a week: PMG

Due to the extension of the existing quarantine curfew, the postal department has decided to open all post and sub post offices in the country only four days per week.

Government defends Italy and UN visits

The Government today defended the visit to Italy undertaken by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UN visit scheduled to be undertaken by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa despite the economic crisis in the country.

Another fresh request by gas companies to up prices: Minister

The gas companies have made fresh requests from the government to increase the price of a domestic gas cylinder, Co-operative Services, Marketing Development and Consumer Protection State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said.

NZ grants refugee status for man over Easter bombings funding accusations

A man who may have unknowingly helped funnel money to terrorists behind the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka has been granted refugee status in New Zealand.

UNP seeks donations from China

UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardene yesterday said leader of his party Ranil Wickremesinghe had requested for Chinese assistance to fight the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Easter Sunday attack: Trial-at-bar bench to hear cases on October 4

The Colombo High Court Trial-at-bar has fixed for October 4, to hear the cases filed against 25 accused including Naufer Moulavi in connection with the Easter Sunday Terrorist attacks.

Deletion of computer database of NMRA could be an act of drug mafia: AG

The Attorney General yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that deletion of the computer database of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) could be an act of drug smugglers.

Cash deposit margin on mobile phones, computers: Ruwan asks for decision to be revised

The 100 percent cash deposit for importation of items such as computers and mobile phones should be reversed as they are essential for school Children, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.