One GN division isolated, four divisions freed: NOCPCO

One Grama Niladhari (GN) division in Kalutara district was brought under isolation and four GN divisions in Mannar and Kegalla districts have been freed, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Two top agri officials arrested for issuing fake certificates to release dried arecanut containers

An Assistant Agriculture Director and an Agriculture Instructor had been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for issuing fake quarantine certificates to release a consignment of dried arecanut from the customs last year.

Pfizer to seek U.S. authorization for COVID booster shot

Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) plans to ask U.S. regulators to authorize a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine within the next month, the drugmaker’s top scientist said on Thursday, based on evidence of greater risk of reinfection six months after inoculation and the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Around 1,000 students to be administered with Pfizer

The government has decided to administer Pfizer vaccines to nearly 1,000 students going overseas for higher education, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

UNP condemns forced quarantine of Trade Union members

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday condemned the forced quarantine of Trade Union members who were released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate Court.“the attempt to detain these individuals is against the laws of the country as the Quarantine Act does not allow for such action,” the party said in an official statement.

Heated argument over proposed debate on CBSL annual report

Heated arguments arose in Parliament yesterday between the government and the opposition regarding who should move the proposed debate on the Central Bank annual report 2020.

Blame on arrest of protesters should go to Health DG not to police: Minister

While refusing claims that police were suppressing protests, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today protesters were arrested following health guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services and therefore, the blame should go to the Health DG not to the police.

SL’s batting coach Grant Flower diagnosed with COVID-19

A specialist batting coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket team who returned to the country after the England tour, has been diagnosed with COVID infection, a senior official of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

40 more die of COVID-19

A total of 40 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (07) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today.

Tense situation erupted outside Colombo Magistrate’s Court

A tense situation was reported outside the Colombo Magistrate’s Court when Joseph Stalin and 32 others who were released on bail refused to undergo quarantine.

Olympics to ban spectators as Tokyo declares COVID-19 emergency

Organisers are set to ban all spectators from the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Asahi newspaper said on Thursday, as Japan declared a coronavirus state of emergency for the capital that will run throughout the event.

Two State Ministry Portfolios reshuffled

Two State Ministry Portfolios of Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Mohan de Silva were reshuffled and they were sworn in their new portfolios before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this afternoon.

Litro Gas summoned before COPE

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has instructed Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation to summon Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd before the COPE and to conduct a government audit.

Mobile company marketing officer arrested for cyber sexual exploitation of schoolgirls

A marketing officer of a leading mobile company in the country had been arrested in connection with the cyber sexual exploitation of several school girls.

Who will get the remaining Pfizer vaccines?

In the wake of the decision to discontinue the use of Pfizer vaccination as the second dose for COVISHIELD first dose recipients, there are claims that the remaining Pfizer vaccines would be given to some elite groups in the society.

Bathiudeen seeks an order to restrict him to his residence

In an application filed to the Supreme Court, Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen through his lawyer today sought an interim order to restrict him to his place of residence from CID custody, until the final determination of his Fundamental Rights petition.

Petition starts to seek release of video of Sri Lankan detainee died in Nagoya

The family of a detained Sri Lankan woman who died at an immigration facility in Nagoya and their supporters called on the public to sign a petition demanding the release of the facility’s video footage of her.

Court allows Minister Mahindananda to travel overseas

The Permanent High Court trial-at-Bar today permitted Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage to travel overseas, until July 31.

Govt. plans to open country within two months: Tourism Minister

The Government has planned to open up the country within two months after vaccinating its citizens at least with a single dose, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunge said today.

Ajith Rohana assumes duties SDIG Traffic and Crimes

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana today assumed duties as the Senior DIG in charge of Traffic and Crimes at the Battaramulla.

Ranil meets opposition MPs to discuss future political journey

UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with a number of opposition MPs on their future political journey, sources close to Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

FR filed seeking an order to set up a marine environment conservation fund fixed for support

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by environmental scientist Dr. Ajantha Perera and a social activist seeking an order directing the authorities to set up a Restoration and Conservation Fund for the environmental degradation due to the pollution caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel was today fixed for support by Supreme Court.

IUSF Convener, Joseph Stalin & 29 others arrested for staging protest

Thirty-one persons including IUSF Convener Ven. Rathkarawwa Jinarathana Thera and Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin have been arrested for staging a protest at the Polduwa Round-about violating quarantine order this morning.

Functions of Economic Policies and Plan Implementation Ministry gazetted

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued detailing the duties and functions of the Ministry of Economic Policies and Plan Implementation.

Gazette issued detailing functions under Basil

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued detailing the duties and functions of the Finance Ministry which comes under the preview of Minister basil Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka to raise concerns with US on travel advise

The Sri Lankan Government is to raise concerns with the United States over an updated travel advise which maintains that there is a threat of terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka.

Priority given to import electric vehicles to reduce air pollution

A cabinet Memorandum was presented last week in view give priority to import electric vehicles to reduce air pollution in the country, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

21-hour water cut in Colombo Saturday: NWSDB

A 21-hour water cut will be in several areas of Colombo starting from 9.00 am on Saturday (10) due to essential improvement work at Ambatale water treatment plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Basil sworn in as MP

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa was sworn in as a national list MP a short ago.

Update: Basil finally gets Finance

Basil Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Finance Minister before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa a short while ago.