Woman who went missing in Nuwara Eliya Estate traced after four days

A 25-year-old woman who had gone missing since last Sunday (5) afternoon while collecting firewood at Nuwara Eliya Estate, has been traced in a combined operation by the Army troops,Police, Special Task Force and Estate workers.

President to attend 76th Session of the UN General Assembly this month

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to attend the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly to be commenced on September 21 in New York, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Illegal filling of lagoons in EP using soil from tanks; Amaraweera calls GSMB to submit report

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to submit an immediate report on the illegal filling of lagoons by certain groups in the Eastern Province (EP) using soil from tanks.

Inoculation of senior citizens

Inoculation of senior citizens The vaccination of those above the age of 60 years with the Sinopharm vaccine was carried out at the at the Bodhiraja Viharaya, Panagoda by Sri Lanka Army. Pix by Nisal Baduge The vaccination of those above the age of 60 years with the Sinopharm vaccine was carried out at the Bodhiraja Viharaya, Panagoda by Sri Lanka Army. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Island-wide lockdown extended till 4.00 am Sept. 21

The Government has decided to extend the current curfew until 4.00 am on Tuesday, September 21.

Kin of dead Sri Lankan urge Japan immigration to fully disclose video

The family of a Sri Lankan woman who died in March following mistreatment at a Japanese immigration center visited the immigration agency Friday to seek full disclosure of two weeks’ worth of a security camera footage of her final days.

Fully vaccinated persons in Sri Lanka surpass 10 million

The number of individuals who have been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 has crossed the 10 million mark in Sri Lanka.

Delta variant responsible for 95.8% of Covid-19 infections in SL – USJ

After investigating the prevalence of different SARS-CoV-2 variants in different provinces in Sri Lanka, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) researchers found out the Delta variant was responsible for 95.8% of Covid-19 infections in Sri Lanka.

COVID vaccination centres functioning today

A total number of 357 COVID-19 vaccination centres will be in operation in 23 districts across the country today, the Health Ministry said.

PM leaves for Italy

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has left the island this morning for an official visit to Italy.

Podi Lassie files FR challenging his continuous detention

Organized criminal Janith Madushanka alias ‘Podi Lassie’ and his mother yesterday filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court challenging Podi Lassie’s continuous detention under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

18hr water cut in Kalutara from today

A 18-hour water cut will be in several areas of Kalutara starting from 8.00 am today (10) due to essential maintenance on CEB Power supply line to Kethhena Treatment Plant Intake, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Emergency should be lifted forthwith: Ruwan

Emergency regulations should be lifted as it has failed to reduce the prices of essential items, even after a week has passed since the imposition of the law, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Appointing Monitoring MPS a waste of time: Sajith

Monitoring of MPS is a waste of public funds, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.’’ Government should have diverted the funds used for monitoring of the MPS towards the welfare of the people, Mr. Premadasa said after donating medical equipment to Kegalle Hospital under the SJB sponsored ’ Wipakshayen Husmak’ programme last morning.

175 more die of COVID-19: Death toll surges to 10,864

A total of 175 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (08) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 10,864.

Govt. to vaccinate students from Grade 7 to 13

Discussions are underway to offer COVID-19 vaccines to two million school children studying from Grade 7 to 13, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

The disappearance of data files at NMRA: EPIC Lanka CEO granted bail

The CEO of EPIC Lanka technologies that managed the database of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), arrested for alleged disappearances of data files was today ordered to be released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

New test kit ’RT-LAMP’ with swift results than PCR, RAT introduced

A new test kit manufactured locally by a research team from Peradeniya University, is to be used in Sri Lanka as an interim testing method to the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and PCR tests to detect people infected with COVID-19 virus, the Health Ministry said.

Self proclaimed spiritual healer Eliyantha White infected with COVID-19

Sri Lanka’s controversial self-proclaimed spiritual healer, Eliyantha White has contracted the COVID-19 infection and has been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo.

School closures lead to inequities in learning opportunities in SL: UNICEF

School closures have led to alarming inequities in learning opportunities for children in South Asia including Sri Lanka, despite significant efforts by governments and partners to expand remote learning, a research conducted by the UNICEF revealed.

CBSL imposes 100% cash margin deposit on selected goods including mobiles, TVs

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, has decided to impose a 100 percent cash margin deposit requirement against the importation of selected goods of non-essential or non-urgent nature made goods including on mobile phones, televisions, watches, refrigerators, fruits, air conditioners, wine and beer.

18,140 more COVID-19 recoveries reported within 24-hours

A total of 18,140 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 408,116, the Health Ministry said.

Fully vaccinated people still susceptible to severe COVID disease or death: SLMA

While stressing the point that a minority of fully vaccinated people could get severe disease, and may even die, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) requested the Government to consider giving a third dose to people whose immune system is weak despite being fully vaccinated.

Wanted drug trafficker Bob Marley arrested

Drug trafficker Kaludura Chaminda Thabrew alias Bob Marley who was wanted over smuggling drugs into the country on a multi-day trawler, had been arrested in Elpitiya by the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Magisterial inquiry over last will of Miss Ceylon postponed due to COVID situation

The magisterial inquiry into the alleged questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon 1962 Jennifer Ingleton (nee Labrooy) was postponed for September 21 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court owing to the prevailing pandemic situation in the country.

Health Ministry clarifies health expert’s take on delaying pregnancy

Referring to the request made by Gynaecologist of the De Soysa Maternity Hospital for women Dr. Harsha Atapattu to delay pregnancy by one year, given the Delta variant spread, the Health Ministry said it was not its official stand.

14 tamed elephants kept under Department of Zoological Gardens released back to original owners

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued an order to release 14 tamed elephants held under the custody of the Department of National Zoological Gardens, back to their original owners.

GMOF President admitted to ICU with COVID-19: CSTH

Colombo South Teaching Hospital (CSTH) Deputy Director and Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) President Dr. Rukshan Bellana has contracted the COVID virus, a CSTH official said today.

Sri Lankan arrested in Kerala arms bust case

The National Investigation Agency of India has arrested a drugs and arms trafficker in connection with the Vizhinjam Arms case. The accused has been identified as Arasaratinam Ramesh who is a Sri Lankan national.

Director General of Zoology Dept. resigns

Director General of the National Zoological Gardens, Ishini Wickremesinghe has resigned from her post.