Vaccines for all members of clergy: Ministry

Under the programme of providing the COVID vaccine for people who are above 60 years of age and above, the government has decided to gather information from all Buddhist, Hindu, Catholic and Muslim clergy.

SL receives US$ 780 million in SDR from IMF

Sri Lanka received US$ 780 million Special Drawing Rights (SDR) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an official said.

Senior lawyer Gowry Shangary Thavarasha dies of COVID-19

Senior lawyer Gowry Shangary Thavarasha, one of the leading instructing attorneys in Human Rights cases, died of Covid-19 on Monday (23).

Alleged questionable last will of late Miss Ceylon: Magisterial inquiry fixed for Sept. 7

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered the registrar of Colombo District Court to produce the purported Last Will and Testaments of late Miss Ceylon 1962 Jennifer Ingleton (nee Labrooy) in Court on September 7.

Ukraine FM denies its evacuation plane was ‘Hijacked’ in Kabul

Ukraine’s foreign ministry has refuted an earlier statement that a Ukrainian aircraft was hijacked at Kabul airport during a desperate evacuation of Afghans and other nationals seeking to flee the Taliban militant group.

No decision to cut salaries of state or private sector employees: Govt.

No decision has been taken by the government to make pay cuts of any state or private sector employees, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

Earthquake in the Bay of Bengal; No threat to Sri Lanka: Met. Dept.

The Metrology Department said that the earthquake that occurred with a magnitude of 5.1 on the Richter Scale in the Bay of Bengal poses no threat to Sri Lanka.

Another schoolgirl dies of COVID-19

A 12-year-old schoolgirl at President’s Girls’ College in Nawala has died of the Covid-19 infection.

SL to obtain crude oil and petroleum products on long-term credit facility

Sri Lanka has had discussion with Acting Head of the Embassy of the UAE in Sri Lanka Saif Alanofy on the possibility of obtaining crude oil and petroleum products on a long-term credit facility.

Mangala passes away from COVID-19

Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera has passed away from COVID-19, his family confirmed a short while ago.

SL born British national pleads guilty to financial crimes in US

Sri Lankan born British national Sivendran Vettivetpillai of Abraaj group has pleaded guilty to nine counts of criminal charges carrying a total of 115 years in jail and a fine of up to $11.5 million, foreign media reported.

82,194 vehicles assigned to Govt. institutions: Report reveals

It was revealed that a total of 82,194 vehicles have been assigned to the government institutions, including Ministries, State Enterprises, Provincial Councils and Local Government Institutions.

Govt. to import 300,000 liters of liquid medical oxygen weekly

The Cabinet Minister had approved importing of 300,000 liters of liquid medical oxygen weekly which is required to treat Covid-19 patients who are in critical condition.

Govt. approves 180-day online visa facilities for tourists

The government has approved issuing tourist visa licenses valid for 180 days for tourists visiting Sri Lanka.

Fake social media blogger arrested in Nugegoda

A 36-year-old man from Nugegoda was arrested for sharing fake images corpses in a foreign country and indicated that the bodies of those who died due to the Covid virus are being dumped in the the Kalubowila Hospital wards.

Colombo Econ. centres remain open today and tomorrow: Colombo Dist. Secy.

The Agriculture Ministry has decided to keep the economic centres open in the Colombo district today and tomorrow, Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasarathna said.

Env. Ministry to initiate NEP to last throughout

The Environment Minister instructed the officials to formulate a National Environmental Policy (NEP) that would not change the policies of certain ministries even during government or ministerial change.

One mn doses of Sinopharm vaccines arrive in SL

A cargo containing one million doses of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine vials has reached the country this morning from China, the Katunayake airport duty Manage confirmed.

Alpha variant moving out of SL as Delta becomes dominant

Health experts in the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday said that the Alpha variant which had spread across Sri Lanka especially during the second wave was now slowly moving out as the Delta variant had now become the dominant variant with a rapid rise in infections. Out of 88 samples tested in recent days, only 4 samples tested positive for Alpha while all of the remaining tested positive for the Delta variant.

President should learn from the song ’Menike Mage Hithe’

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should learn a lesson from the song ’Menike Mage Hithe’ which has become an international hit song and listen to the suggestions of all political parties and religious leaders in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, SJB Member Niroshan Padukka said today.

4,355 fresh COVID-19 cases detected today

A total of 4,355 more COVID-19 patients have been detected today increasing the total cases reported in Sri Lanka to 394,355, the Government Information Department said.

UNP decries Govt’s perceived recognition of Taliban

The United National Party (UNP) today questioned the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to officially recognise the Taliban as the Governing authority in Afghanistan.

Do not grant Covid relief to those who can afford to buy liquor: Senthil Thondaman

Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Vice President Senthil Thondaman has proposed for the officials of the COVID-19 task force to record the National Identification Card (NIC) number of all citizens who make liquor purchases in an effort to exclude such persons from Government granted relief provided to low-income families during the ongoing pandemic period.

194 Covid deaths reported: Death toll surges to 7,560

A total of 194 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (22) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 7,560.

President vows to fulfill national responsibilities and duties despite challenges, obstacles

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today that despite the challenges and obstacles the country would have to face,there are a number of national responsibilities and duties that need to be fulfilled.

Rishad made fifth suspect over death of girl at his house

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has been named as the fifth suspect before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court over the death of 16-year-old domestic aide at his residence.

Cabinet ministers to donate their August salary for COVID fund

The cabinet today approved the proposal submitted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to donate the salaries of all Cabinet Ministers for the month of August to the Covid-19 fund.

Man turning out firearms in Kiriella arrested by STF

A 37-year-old suspect has been arrested by the Special Task Force of Police for running a factory making weapons

Taliban warns there will be ’consequences’ if Biden delays withdrawal of US troops

The Taliban has warned Joe Biden that there will “be consequences” if the US keeps any troops in Afghanistan past the end of August.

SL praises India for supplying emergency consignments of liquid oxygen

Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris today appreciated India’s move to supply emergency consignments of liquid oxygen from east Indian ports, even by using Indian naval ships.