Army to establish ’Walk-in’ vaccination centres from Monday

Medical teams of the Directorate of Preventive Medicine of the Army will establish new ‘walk in’ Community Vaccination Centres across the country and commence administering the first dose of Sinopharm vaccine to civilians from Monday (5) on-wards, the army said.

No decision to ban mobiles, other electronic items

Secretary to the Ministry of Finance said no decision has been taken to ban imports of mobile phones, TVs, refrigerators, several electronic items, deodorants etc as claimed on social media

NOCPCO denies permission to operate inter-provincial trains: SLSMU

The Railways Department today said the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) did not permit trains to operate between the provinces, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

Dayasiri grumbles about his State Ministry due to his inability to deliver: Rohitha

Responding to the statement made by State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said today that Dayasiri was grumbling about his Ministerial portfolio due to his inability to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities in his State Ministry.

Revised health guidelines issued; inter-provincial travel ban remains unchanged

The Health Ministry has issued revised guidelines to be followed by people with effect from tomorrow (05) to July 19.

Govt. must amend PTA and stop hunting social media bloggers

Government should introduce an amendment to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to prevent arresting people for making posts in social media, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed over the weekend.

Hemantha Withanage emerges Friends of the Earth’s new chair

Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice Hemantha Withanage, has been elected as the chair of Friends of the Earth International (FoEI), which is the world’s largest grassroots environmental justice organisation.

This Cabinet is Basil’s and PB’s; not President’s: Dayasiri

While claiming that issues faced by the country would not be resolved through Basil Rajapaksa’s entry to Parliament, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said Cabinet and State Ministries were designated by Basil Rajapaksa.

One GN division isolated, five divisions freed: NOCPCO

The Sagaradeniya Watta area in Yatiwawala Grama Niladhari (GN) division in the Katugastota police area in Kandy was brought under isolation this morning with immediate effect, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said

Captain, three soldiers arrested over abduction and assault of man in Norochcholai

A Captain and three soldiers of the Army have been arrested for abducting and assaulting an individual in Norochcholai, Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said.

Another 1mn Sinopharm vaccines reach SL

Sri Lanka received another one million doses of Sinopharm vaccines this morning for the rollout of the second dose.

Paramour arrested over sexual abuse of teenage girl

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) arrested a man for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl from Colombo yesterday.

34 more die of COVID-19

A total of 34 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (02) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 3,191.

14 new patients detected with Delta variant

A total of 14 new cases of dreaded Indian variant known as Delta have been reported in the country, Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said.

Drug trafficking case: Tamil Nadu Q-Branch nabs three Sri Lankans

The Tamil Nadu Q-Branch in coordination with the state’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Saturday nabbed three Sri Lankan nationals from Angamaly in connection with an international drug trafficking case.

Suspected ’Delta variant’ reported from Wellampitiya

A COVID-19 patient suspected to have been infected with dreaded Indian variant known as Delta has been detected in Kittampahuwa, Wellampitiya, the Health officials said.

PHIs also to begin TU action from Monday

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union has decided to resort to trade union action from Monday (05) in order to show displeasure over the Government’ decision to fulfil demands in favour of one trade union ignoring other affiliated trade unions.

Delta variant is growing threat to unvaccinated people: Expert

Delta variant, the most transmissible variant poses a major threat to unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people, Dr Chandima Jeewandara, the Director at Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenapura said.

Nurses to resort to TU action on July 9 if two Cabinet papers not approved on Monday

While claiming that they were not satisfied with promises alone, Nurses’ Trade Unions said today they would resort to an island-wide trade union action on Friday (9) if the two Cabinet papers pertaining to promotions and staff status were not approved on Monday (5) as promised by the President.

Why is Batticaloa Airport being hyped up again?

Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister, Prasanna Ranatunga, on Thursday visited the Batticaloa domestic airport and pledged to re-develop and upgrade it and give it a much-needed facelift for the convenience of tourists, both local and foreign.

Champika Ranawaka says he is now ready to give leadership

SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said the ‘43rd brigade’, the movement led by him, is ready to give leadership to a common political platform against the ruling party.

Seven SDIGs, DIG transferred with immediate effect

Seven Senior DIGs including Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana and a DIG have been transferred with immediate effect on service requirements, police said.

UNP invites Sajith to re-join the fold

The UNP yesterday tendered an open invitation to SJB Leader and Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa to re-join the fold.

Fmr STF Commandant Lattif appointed to SLC disciplinary committee

Former STF Commandant Senior DIG (Rtd.)M.R. Lattif has been appointed to the disciplinary committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.

President provides solutions to five out of seven demands of nurses

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has taken steps to provide immediate solutions to five out of seven demands made by the Public Services United Nurses Union, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

37 more succumb to COVID-19

A total of 37 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (01) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 3,157.

Permission granted to operate Aloysius-owned Mendis brewery

The licence of arrack distillery W.M. Mendis & Co. Ltd owned by Arjun Aloysius, which was annulled by the Excise Department for non-payment of taxes, has been granted approval to operate again, the Excise Department said.

Book date, number to obtain NICs; DRP Commissioner General

The Department of Registration of Persons (DRP) today said the department will be opened for public services from July 5 for a limited number of people, and for those who have reserved a prior date and a number to obtain their National Identity Cards (NICs), DRP Commissioner General Viyani Gunathilaka said.

What’s happened to SL cricket, asks Kevin Pietersen

The Sri Lanka cricket team which is currently touring England has been going through a very rough time as they have failed to put up a fight against the English team in the limited-overs series.

COVID cases found in three buses travelling violating inter province restriction

Three COVID-19 positive cases were reported from three buses travelling from Colombo to Batticaloa violating the inter province travel ban, the police said.