Inaugural edition of LPL reaches 557 Million views worldwide

The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) reached a cumulative audience of 557 million people through TV, digital-social space and traditional media outlets, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

Seven ex-LTTE members in prison to be released

Seven ex-LTTE members imprisoned for many years are to be released following Presidential Pardon in line with Poson Poya, State Minister of Prison Management & Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwate said.

Uproar in parliament as SJB protests against fuel price hike

Parliament went into an uproar today when the SJB MPs staged a protest against the recent fuel prices hike. SJB MPs held placards and shouted slogans during the oral question session.

Attempt to export 21,480 conch shells illegally foiled: Customs

Officers attached to the Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection (BCNP) Branch yesterday seized a large number of conch shells while attempting to export them illegally, Customs Media Spokesperson and Deputy Director Sudaththa Silva said.

Police in mufti to monitor supermarkets, public transport

Policemen in civvies are deployed to arrest persons who do not wear masks and violate quarantine rules at supermarkets, shopping complexes and public transport services, Police said.

India says Delta plus a ‘variant of concern’, found in nine countries

India has said that the new coronavirus variant Delta plus is a “variant of concern” after cases were detected in at least three states.

Ranil sworn in as MP

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as a national list MP of the United National Party (UNP) a short while ago.

EU provides SL with over Rs. 48 Mn humanitarian funding

The European Union is directing over Rs. 48 million (€200,000) in humanitarian funding to provide crucial assistance in response to serous oil and hazardous chemical spills triggered by the fire that broke out on a ship carrying hazardous substances in May.

11 GN divisions in Batticaloa, Trincomalee isolated

Eleven Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in the Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts have been isolated since this morning, the Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, said.

Govt. awaits money from X-PRESS PEARL: Douglas

Sri Lanka will receive funds from the company which owns X-PRESS PEARL ship as an initial compensation within two weeks for the destruction it has caused, Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda informed Parliament yesterday.

Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund not meant to stabilise fuel prices: Gammanpila

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund was not really meant to be used to stabilize fuel prices, but to pay off loans of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Supplement to increase the immunity of animals in Dehiwala zoo: Minister

A supplement was given to animals in the zoological garden in Dehiwala today, Wild Life Minister CB Rathnayake said.

71 more individuals fall prey to COVID-19

A total of 71 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (21) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 2,704.

First dose of Sinopharm vaccine strictly for senior citizens in Colombo 1-15 from tomorrow

The first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine will be administered to those who are 60 years and above and only for the residents within Colombo 1-15 from tomorrow, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said.

UNHRC resolution: Core group sees lack of progress

The core group on Sri Lanka - Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro and the UK, expressed concerns over what it called the ongoing use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the recent intention to introduce a rehabilitation process lacking adequate judicial oversight.

Tender scam at Sports Ministry over gym equipment

A serious issue has arisen in the Sports Ministry after tender procedures have been allegedly breached over the purchase of equipment for the Fitness Center (Gym) of the Department of Sports Development under the Ministry of Sports.

Change in methodology may show decline in COVID cases; but they are not actual- PHIs

A drop in number of COVID-19 cases that could be witnessed in coming weeks will not portray as the actual decline in infections in the country, Public Health Inspectors Union claimed.

T-56 ammunition found in a drawer at Thalangama Depot

The Thalangama Police have found 25 live ammunition used for T-56 firearms in a drawer of a cupboard at the Sri Lanka Transport Board’s Thalangama Depot in Battaramulla this morning.

’Kudu Mangalika’ arrested with heroin worth Rs. 1Mn in Kelaniya

A drug trafficker Kalupahanage Mangalika alias ’Kudu Mangalika’ had been arrested by the Western Province Anti-Corruption Unit this afternoon along with about 800 small packets of heroin prepared for peddling.

SLC to bid for three major ICC events

Sri Lanka Cricket said today that it has decided to bid for three major ICC Men’s events to be held during the period between 2024 and 2031.

Supplementary estimate of Rs 200 Bn presented in the House

The Government today tabled a supplementary estimate of Rs 200 billion to control the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and for other government expenses.

Ranil to take front row seat in Opposition side in Parliament

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament, has been allotted the 13th front row seat on the side of the Opposition in the House, Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando said.

No confidence motion against Gammanpila handed over to Speaker

The no confidence motion against Minister Udaya Gammanpila was handed over to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene today.

Ministry to ban all types of lunch sheets without publishing new gazette: Amaraweera

While there is great environmental damage to the country, the Environment Minister, Mahinda Amaraweera, advised the ministry officials to take steps to ban all types of lunch wrapping sheets in the country without publishing a new gazette notification.

11 die of road accidents after lifting travel restrictions

Following the lifting of travel restrictions, eleven deaths have been reported in fatal road accidents in various parts of the country within a period of the last 24 hours, police said.

US announces plan to share 55mn COVID-19 vaccine doses globally

The Biden-Harris Administration yesterday announced the distribution list for 55 million of the 80 million doses of America’s own vaccine supply President Biden has pledged to allocate by the end of June in service of ending the pandemic globally.

US pledges more vaccines to Sri Lanka

The Biden Administration in the United States yesterday pledged more Covid vaccines for Sri Lanka.

UN rights chief voices concern over SL’S counter-terrorism laws

While expressing her concern over the recent appointments to Sri Lanka’s Office of Missing Persons and Office for Reparations, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet yesterday noted ‘a continuing series of deaths in police custody and in the context of police encounters with alleged criminal gangs’.

SL to receive 25,000 Pfizer jabs for test run before July 10

Pfizer, the vaccine manufacturing giant of the United States, will dispatch 25,000 doses of its vaccines to Sri Lanka before July 10 to initiate mass inoculation with it as a trial, a Minister said.

Don’t misuse relaxing of travel restrictions Veddha Chief

Veddha Chief Vanaspathi Uruvarige Vannila Ettho stressed that the people must strictly adhere to the health precautions without misusing the relaxing of travel restrictions. He said the people had been virtually immobilised for more than a month and now they have some measure of relief after easing of control.