Sinopharm Group expresses interest in setting up vaccine refilling plant in Sri Lanka

Chairman of Sinopharm Group Liu Jingzhen has expressed his enthusiasm in setting up a vaccine refilling plant in Sri Lanka,the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing said.

UN Special Rapporteurs recommend to review PTA

In a joint communication, United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteurs have recommended to review the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in Sri Lanka to bring it in line with international human rights standards.

Some police stations defaulted in paying water bills

Some police stations had defaulted in paying water bills, the government said yesterday.

Women advised to delay pregnancy by one year if possible: Health expert

Health specialists today advised women to delay their pregnancy by one year if possible due to the spread of the Delta Covid variant.

Health Minister agrees to use Pfizer for 12-18 age category: GMOA

The Health Minster today agreed with the proposal made by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) to stop the use of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID vaccine for the age group 18 to 30 and to use it for the 12 to 18 age group, the GMOA said

Private company CEO managing NMRA date base arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a CEO of a company that managed the data base of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) in connection with the dissapearances of data files, police said.

PM not sought a meeting with Pope

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has not sought a meeting with Pope Francis and neither will he or his delegation be visiting the Vatican during the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy which begins tomorrow, the Daily Mirror learns.

Water supply will continue without increasing charges: Minister

Water Supply Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara today said the Ministry expects to continue water supply without any increased charges and determined to meet water consumption needs of the people.

SL reiterates study on the origin tracing of coronavirus should not be politicized

Sri Lanka has reiterated that the study on the origin tracing of SARS-Co-V-2 should be based on scientific and evidence-based methods and should not be politicized.

1,691 more Covid-19 recoveries reported

A total of 1,691 more Covid-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 389,969, the Health Ministry said.

Cardinal alleges moves by PM, FM to mislead Pope over Easter Sunday probe

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, today alleged there were moves by the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to mislead the Pope and international community over the Easter Sunday investigations during the Prime Minister’s visit to Italy which will begin tomorrow.

Police seek public support to locate local 'Bob Marley'

The police has sought public assistance to locate the main suspect, who was involved in smuggling drugs into the country on a multi-day trawler.

Reopening of schools not appropriate during this Covid situation

Schools cannot be re-opened presently due to the critical COVID-19 situation in the country, the Health Ministry said today.

I will take up CB Governor post: Cabraal

Money, Capital Market and State Enterprises Reform State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal confirmed to Daily Mirror yesterday that he would take up the post of ‘Governor of the Central Bank’ on the invitation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa within the course of this week.

Tourism Chairperson defends request to relax guidelines for travellers

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando has defended a decision to seek the further relaxation of Covid guidelines for travellers.

SLTDA requests MoH to relax health guidelines to accommodate Russian Tourists

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) this week put forward a series of requests to the Ministry of Health (MoH) to relax the health guidelines imposed to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, an effort to make the island nation more appealing to tourists.

Prisoners to get Sinopharm second jab: Prisons Dept.

The Prisons Department is to provide the second dose of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine for the inmates who had already received the first dose, Prisons Commissioner, Administration and Media Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said.

Program to distribute essential items to people in WP from Monday

A program to distribute essential items to households at special concessionary prices will beging from next Monday in the Western Province (WP), Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne announced today.

Fire at overcrowded Indonesian prison kills at least 40: official

A fire tore through an overcrowded block in a jail in Indonesia’s Banten province in the early hours of Wednesday, killingat least 40 people and injuring dozens, a government spokeswoman and media reports said.

Customs foil attempt to smuggle in oximeters

An illegal attempt to smuggle in a stock of oximeters valued more than Rs.2.3 million was thwarted by the customs officers, Customs Media Spokesman and Deputy Director Sudattha Silva said.

U.S. CDC warns against travel to Sri Lanka, Jamaica, and Brunei

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday warned against travel to Sri Lanka, Jamaica and Brunei because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

Ranil urges Speaker to act against Nagananda

UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the Speaker to take action against Lawyer Nagananda whom he claimed had insulted Parliament.

Premier to brief Vatican on progress of action taken:cabinet Spokesman

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Foreign Affairs Minister Prof. G.l.pieris will brief the Vatican on the progress made in connection with the legal action taken against the suspects involved in the Easter Sunday carnage, Cabinet spokesman, Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday.

COVID-19 situation not an exceptional circumstance to get bail: CA

The Court of Appeal held in a recent judgment that the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country does not amount to an exceptional circumstance to grant bail on a suspect arrested for trafficking large loads of heroin.

Cabraal seeks CB governor post with Cabinet rank

State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal is reported to have sought the governor post of the Central Bank with Cabinet rank like in countries such as China, Singapore and Vietnam, the Daily Mirror learns.

Theekshana, Asalanka lead SL to 78-run win against South Africa, seal series 

Charith Asalanka’s 47 and Maheesh Theekshana’s four wickets helped Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 78 runs and seal ODI series 2-1 at R Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

Indian Army delegation in Sri Lanka

An Indian Army delegation is in town to discuss bilateral defence cooperation.

Taliban announce new government for Afghanistan

The Taliban have announced an interim government in Afghanistan, and declared the country an ’’Islamic Emirate’’.

Karunaratne deserves opportunities to emulate Stokes

Chamika Karunaratne has the opportunity to become Sri Lanka’s first ever genuine all-rounder after Sanath Jayasuriya, only if the management around him gives him the opportunity to showcase his talent or else he could easily be another Asela Gunaratne.

Theekshana becomes Sri Lanka’s first 21st century-born cricketer

Right-arm off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana became the first 21st century-born player from Sri Lanka when he made his ODI debut against the visiting South Africans at the R. Premadasa Stadium, today.