Fully vaccinated travellers exempted from 14-day quarantine

The Health Ministry has issued a new set of quarantine measures applicable for the travellers arriving in Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Basil to be appointed Cabinet Minister tomorrow

SLPP MP Basil Rajapaksa is tipped to be appointed a Cabinet Minister tomorrow morning (8) , the Daily Mirror learns.

2.6 tonne of turmeric meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka seized in Tamil Nadu

More than 2.6 tonne of turmeric meant to be smuggled to Sri Lanka was seized from  Chippikulam sea shore in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu in the early hours of Wednesday, foreign media reported.

38 more die of COVID-19

A total of 38 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (06) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 3,351.

Five member panel to probe on suspended cricketers

A five member panel has been appointed by Sri Lanka Cricket to inquire into the alleged misconduct of cricketers Kusal Mendis, Dhanushka Gunathilake, and Niroshan Dickwella who were suspended for breaching the teams bio-bubble while touring in England.

Current decline in COVID cases not actual, stresses Health Ministry

Despite Health officials saying the country is experiencing a downward trend in COVID-19 infections, the Health authorities today stressed that the decline in COVID cases at present is not a result of that downward trend but due to some other factors.

Vaccine for all teachers from Monday: Minister

The programme to administer vaccines to shield against COVID-19 for all teachers in the country will commence from Monday (12), Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said.

Haitian president killed in attack at home

Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse has been killed in an attack on his private residence, according to a statement by interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph.

Wait for your turn to get second jabs: CMC tells eligible recipients

Regional Epidemiologist of the CMC, Dr. Dinuka Guruge said only 5000 out of the 25,000 SMSs had been sent so far to the eligible recipients who were to get the Pfizer vaccines as their second jabs within the CMC limit and requested people not to come to visit the site to ’’inspect’’ and get exposed unnecessarily.

Naval Cardiologist arrested for sexual abuse of teenage girl, suspended from service

A Cardio specialist, a Lieutenant Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy who was arrested for sexually exploiting the 15-year -old girl from Mount Lavinia, has handed a suspension order by the Navy Commander.

Fmr JVP PC member Mahinda Jayasinghe arrested

Former JVP Provincial Councilor Mahinda Jayasinghe and another individual have been arrested by the Pamunugama Police today for staging a protest violating court orders and quarantine rules.

Uproar in Parliament over private TV channel

Parliament went into an uproar today after Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa alleged that there was a move to suspend the operations of a private television channel by cancelling its licence.

Bail application filed by Homagama Former District Judge dismissed

A revision application filed by former Homagama District Judge Sunil Abeysinghe seeking an order to enlarge him on bail was dismissed by Court of Appeal.

Mathews requests SLC to relieve him from national duties until further notice

Angelo Mathews, who was included in the 30-member squad for the White-Ball Series against India, has requested Sri Lanka Cricket to relieve him from National Duties, owing to personal reasons, until further notice.

Namal Karunaratne, Samantha Vidyaratna granted bail

Five persons including All Island Govi Jana Federation National organiser Namal Karunaratne and Former JVP Councillor Samantha Vidyaratna, who were arrested for holding a protest violating quarantine regulations, were granted bail on a personal bail of Rs. 100,000/- each by the court

GMOA lambasts Govt.’s move to allow armed Forces to vaccinate people

The decision taken by the Government to allow the three armed Forces personnel to carry out the vaccination drive at their hospitals has created a lot of confusion, the Government Medical Officers Association claimed.

COPE directs SriLankan Airlines to submit business plan within a month

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has directed the Chairman of the SriLankan Air Lines Ashok Pathirage to prepare a complete business plan to make SriLankan Airlines Limited profitable and submit it to the COPE within a month.

Indian cinema legend Dilip Kumar dies at 98

Dilip Kumar, one of India’s most respected actors and known for his roles as a tragic hero in Bollywood films, died on Wednesday morning, his family said.

US maintains warning of terror threat in Sri Lanka

The United States has maintained a warning of the threat of terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. In an updated travel advise, Americans have been told to reconsider travel to Sri Lanka because of Covid and the “threat of terrorism”.

Duminda Nagamuwa, four others arrested for staging protest

Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party Duminda Nagamuwa and four others have been arrested by the Police for organising a protest at Ramanayake Mawatha in Slave Island violating quarantine order.

Gazette issued nominating Basil as national list MP

The elections commission today issued an Extra-Ordinary gazette notification announcing Basil Rohana Rajapaksa as a national list MP.

Trial-at-Bar bench nominated to hear cases against Pujith, Hemasiri

Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has nominated a Trial-at-Bar bench to hear the cases against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former IGP Pujith Jayasundara in connection with their criminal negligence and failure to prevent Easter Sunday Terrorist attacks.

Cricketers sign tour contracts for India series

Sri Lanka’s top national cricketers have made themselves available for the home series against India this month after agreeing to sign tour contracts.

Can’t admire Govt’s behaviour: Elle Gunawansa Thera

I do not admire the behavior of the incumbent government as it is treading in the wrong direction. Therefore, we must join hands to launch the Second War for Independence without politics and racism, the National Movement for the Protection of the Nation Chairman Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera said.

Namal Karunaratne, Samantha Vidyarathna arrested over farmers’ protest

All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation National Organiser Namal Karunaratne and former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Provincial Councillor Samantha Vidyarathna were arrested for organising a protest over the fertiliser crisis, in violation of quarantine laws.

B’desh closely follows development of Colombo Port City: High Commissioner

Bangladeshi High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam said his country closely follows developments of the Colombo Port City and the enactment of the new piece of legislation to govern the activities of the special economic zone coming under it.

Man shot dead in Kataragama

A 52-year old man was killed in a shooting incident in Kataragama last night, Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said.

50,000 more doses of Sputnik V vaccines arrive

A stock of 50,000 Russian made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccines were brought to the country this morning, the airport Duty Manager said.

Will MR hold onto Finance?

A tussle has erupted between the Rajapaksa family as Basil Rajapaksa prepares to enter Parliament on July 8 and thereafter enter the cabinet by getting a ministerial portfolio, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sputnik V vaccine supply hindered due to spike in COVID cases in Russia

The supply of Sputnik V Covid -19 vaccines has been slowed due to the spike of cases in Russia warranting the manufacturer to meet the increasing local demand, a Minister said yesterday .