Ranil has no intention of forming new group: Abeywardena

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has no intention of forming a group of MPS of his own when he is appointed as a national list MP, a Senior UNPER said yesterday.

US to donate 500 mn doses of Pfizer vaccine to the world

Amid intensifying calls for wealthy nations to share their COVID vaccine surplus with the rest of the world, the U.S. is poised to step up big time.

Ship operators say no confirmed reports of oil spill

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship X-Press Pearl insisted that there were no confirmed reports of an oil spill from the ship as of last evening.

Nine arrested for hosting party at luxury apartment in Kollupitiya

Nine persons including two foreigners have been arrested for hosting a party at the Crescat Monarch luxury apartment complex in Kollupitiya last night violating quarantine laws.

Highest single-day COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 67 more COVID-19 related fatalities were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services recording the highest single-day tally.

Delay in seeking medication leads to higher number of deaths: Health Ministry

A considerable number of COVID deaths has been reported due to the delay in seeking immediate medical assistance, Health Promotion Bureau Director Consultant Dr. Ranjith Batuwanthudawa said today.

Gazette issued prohibiting traders from hiding LP Gas stocks

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), in an Extraordinary Gazette notification, has directed all manufacturers and traders of domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to ensure that adequate 12.5kg LP gas cylinders are available for sale in the market.

Weekly reported COVID-19 death rate increased by 28%

The weekly infected COVID-19 patient rate increased by nearly 12% while the weekly reported death rate increased by nearly 28% during the past week, Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) pointed out.

Two Health officials transferred

Regional Director of Health Services, Galle Dr. K.H.Priyantha Jeevarathne and Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Venura Singarachchi have been transferred with immediate effect over the alleged incident where people from Colombo district had arrived in Galle to receive the second dose of AstraZeneca vaccine violating quarantine regulations.

Food delivery services to be regulated

Steps are being taken to regulate food delivery services operating in Sri Lanka, including popular mobile app based services Uber and PickMe.

Amending Ceylon Petroleum Act a threat to national security: JVP

The Government’s move to amend the Ceylon Petroleum Act by breaking the CPC’s monopoly, would pose a threat to national security, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

Health authorities warn of notable spike in dengue cases

In the midst of the COVID- 19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, the health authorities warned of a notable spike in dengue cases in the coming weeks due to the flood situation following torrential downpour.

Former Parliamentarian Buddhika Kurukularatne passes away

Former member of Parliament for Galle district and former journalist at Lake House Publications Buddhika Kurukularatne has passed away at the age of 78.

Check accuracy of weighing, measuring instrument when issuing essential service passes: MUSSD

When issuing delivery passes for essential services to operate during the ongoing travel restrictions, the Measurement Units, Standards and Services Department (MUSSD) said that care should be taken to ensure the accuracy of the weighing of the measuring equipment.

Recruit retired nurses on contract basis: PM directs Health Minister

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today directed Health Minister Pavithra Vanniarachi to recruit retired nurses on contract basis and service requirements.

UNP member questioned by CID over remarks on X Press Pearl

UNP member, Professor Chandima Wijegunawardana who was questioned by the CID today allegedly over her recent remarks on the X-Press Pearl disaster said the only thing she had stressed was for a probe by INTERPOL on the X-Press Pearl fire.

Environment Minister to ban polythene, plastic products from second list

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today instructed the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) to take immediate action to ban polythene and plastic products from the second list, including single-use plastic items.

Tri-Forces to provide transportation to facilitate pension payment

The Tri-Forces will provide transportation for senior citizens to visit banks to obtain their pensions for the month of June tomorrow (10), Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

15 year old sold for sex through social media

Police have launched an investigation to nab several persons who paid money to sexually exploit a 15-year old girl following an arrest of a 35-year old man

Mob storms house to drag mother, children out, over land dispute

The Hambantota Port Police have commenced investigations into an incident where a mob of 50 men had stormed into a house in Mayurapura in Hambantota and assaulted a woman and dragged her along with her two children out of the house

Japanese PM responds positively to President's request for 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has responded positively to a request made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to supply 600,000 doses of the Astra Zeneca vaccines to Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry, the President’s office said today.

SLAF to get three overhauled Antonov-32 aircraft from Ukraine

Three Ukrainian-built Antonov-32 transport aircraft belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) which were sent to Ukraine for overhaul purposes, will be brought back to the country on Friday.

Gnanasara Thero set to enter Parliament as MP

Ape Janabala Party (AJP) will take measures to appoint Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera as its national list MP after Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera resigns from his MP seat, AJP President Saman Perera said.

Pregnant mothers receive Sinopharm vaccines

The Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine to shield against COVID-19 was given to pregnant mothers, for the first time in the country, in spite of risk factors, Maternal and Child Health Director of Family Health Bureau Dr. Chithramalee de Silva said.

ANOM: Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting using messaging app

More than 800 suspected criminals have been arrested worldwide after being tricked into using an FBI-run encrypted messaging app, officials say.

Average daily mortalities climb to 38; deaths at homes on the rise: GMOA

After analysing the previous daily COVID death records released by the Epidemiology Unit, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said that there is a likelihood of nearly 38 deaths in a single day, Executive Committee Member of the GMOA Dr. Prasad Kolabage said.

Govt. expects to vaccinate entire population by early 2022: Shavendra

Government expects to vaccinate the entire population from Covid-19 by the end of 2021 to early 2022, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said

Another stock of 1 Mn doses of Sinopharm vaccines arrive in SL

A stock of one million doses of the Sinopharm vaccines arrived in Sri Lanka from China this morning

21 Deaths due to adverse weather: DMC

The number of deaths reported due to adverse weather conditions in the country had increased to 21 in five districts by yesterday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Rajitha tells Ranil not to be misled by those who joined UNP recently

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should not allow himself to be misled by those who have joined the UNP recently and confront SJB once he comes to Parliament, said an MP yesterday.