COPE exposes stark irregularities in NHDA

Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) had uncovered several serious discrepancies with regard to the National Housing Development Authority, Parliament media unit which quoted COPE Chairman Charitha Herath said yesterday.

300% increase in cybersex crimes against women, children: Women’s rights activists

Cybersex crimes against women and Children in Sri Lanka have increased by 300 percent during the pandemic period in Sri Lanka that started early last year, child and women rights organisations said yesterday.

Sri Lanka to study RAT’s as PCR’s come at a price

Following a grant application made to the World Health Organization by Professor Neelika Malavige and Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, the WHO has agreed to grant Sri Lanka a sum of US.$ 200,000 and 200,000 Rapid Antigen Testing kits, to evaluate the use of RATS and what environments it can be used in, health officials told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Recently released Duminda Silva meets PM

Former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva who was released from jail recently on a Presidential Pardon met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in Temple Trees today.

Digital vaccination card very soon: Health Ministry

The digital vaccination card introduced by the Health Ministry together with the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) for the benefit of the migrating Sri Lankans would be available in a few days, the Health Ministry said.

Directive to collect carbon pens, toothbrushes as they take 400 years to perish: Minister

Following a programme launched to collect disposable carbon pens and toothbrushes, as they would take about 400 years to perish, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

An initiative by WIM during lockdown sustains 5,800 hungry people in Colombo

Dr. Sulochana Segera, Chairperson, Women in Management (WIM), initiated the Free Breakfast Kitchen in March 2021 to provide a wholesome breakfast for people from low-income groups in Colombo.

Jeevan Thondaman plans to boost rural economy via self-employment!

Few weeks ago, Daily Mirror Online published a news video on their Digital and Social Media platforms highlighting the plight of people from certain rural areas of the Kandy district. These individuals were direly affected by the lack of essential food items owing to imposed travel restrictions.

Wife of Duminda Nagamuwa files Habeas Corpus petition

The wife of Frontline Socialist Party Propaganda Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa today filed a Habeas Corpus petition in Court of Appeal seeking an interim order directing authorities to produce Duminda Nagamuwa before Court forthwith to be dealt with according to the law.

All teachers in Colombo district will get COVID vaccine by tomorrow: Minister

All teachers in the Colombo Educational zone will be vaccinated by tomorrow, Education Minister G.L Peiris said.

No arrangements regarding SOFA since 2019: AG

The Attorney General today informed the Supreme Court that since 2019, the government has not entered into any arrangements with relevant parties regarding the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Pregnant women above 18 who are in 2nd, 3rd trimester eligible: Health DG

The Health Ministry today advised all Provincial Health Directors to vaccinate all pregnant women against COVID-19 who are above the age of 18 in their second and third trimesters.

People asked not to get vaccinated before recovery

The Health authorities urged people not to get the COVID-19 vaccine before they recover from the viral infection.

Fuel price hike a collective decision confirmed by Prez in writing – Energy Minister

Rebuffing criticism leveled against him on the recent price hike, Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had confirmed in writing that the price revision was a collective decision by the Cost of Living chaired by him and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

First step of re-opening schools will take place in August: Minister

The first step of re-opening schools will take place in August, Education Minister G.L. Peiris said.

Petition challenging construction of reservoirs and roads in Sinharaja forest to be heard Sept. 14

The Court of Appeal today fixed for September 14 to hear the writ petition filed seeking an interim order to suspend any intended construction of reservoirs and roads and clearing of the state forest lands in the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

Online portal for residents in WP to make appointments for COVID vaccines

The Health Ministry has introduced an online service for residents in the Western Province to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment online.

Pulling out from online teaching 100% success: Teachers, Principals unions

The trade union action that was launched by the principals and teachers’ Unions today by refraining from conducting online teaching practices has been a 100 per cent success, the Joint Teachers’ Services Union said.

Watch out; children deprived of social links due to online activities: Community Physician

There is a threat of maintaining fewer social connections for children of all ages who have indulged in online activities for the whole day, Family Health Bureau, Consultant Community Physician Dr. Ayesha Lokubalasuriya said.

NMRA to make inquiries from its experts’ panel over failure to approve Sinovac

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is to make inquiries from its experts’ panel regarding the reason for the failure to come to conclusion on approval for emergency use of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka despite clearance even by the World Health Organization (WHO), an official said yesterday.

Writ petition on illegal constructions within Muthurajawela Sanctuary fixed for support

A writ petition filed challenging the alleged illegal constructions and filling of lands within the Muthurajawela Sanctuary was today fixed for support by the Court of Appeal.

Navy seizes over Rs. 103 Mn worth Kerala cannabis with 3 suspects

The Navy has seized about 344.5 kg of Kerala cannabis along with 03 suspects and a dinghy in the seas off the Analathivu island, Jaffna in the wee hours today.

Violating quarantine laws: Over 41,000 charged, police to file 8,500 more cases in courts

The police have filed charges against at least 41,000 persons who were arrested on charges of failure to wear face masks and maintain social distancing upto date since last year.

102 trains will be on track in WP this week

A total number of 102 trains are scheduled to be operated within the Western Province (WP) from today, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

No online teaching from today

The Ceylon Teacher Services Union (CTSU) will refrain from conducting online teaching practices from today against the Government’s move to direct Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin and 15 others to forcible quarantine after being released on bail and until providing a solution for online teaching, CTSU Chief Secretary Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Second batch of Pfizer vaccines flown in

Sri Lanka received the second batch of 26,000 doses of ’’Pfizer’’ vaccine manufactured in the US brought to the country this morning, the Airport Duty Manager said.

Doctor remanded for taking pictures of lady doctor while undressing

A 35-year old medical doctor attached to the National Hospital in Colombo was arrested and remanded for trespassing and taking pictures of a lady doctor at the Ragama Hospital.

Chilaw UC Chairman arrested for attacking youth

Chairman of the Chilaw Urban Council and another were arrested for physically assaulting two youth in Chilaw last night, Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said.

Stresses need for recommencement of economic activities in full swing: Finance Minister

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who also spearheads the presidential task force for economic revival and poverty eradication, is reported to have stressed the need to reopen the country fully after an early conclusion of the inoculation drive to revive the economy.

Prisons guard suspended for taking money from suspects through easy cash

A prison guard on duty at the old Bogambara Prison has been suspended for taking money from suspects sent for quarantine through easy cash, the Prisons Department said.