SJB Parliamentarian suggests to form National Government to fight Covid -19 pandemic

Government should come up with some mechanism similar to a National Government so that the Opposition could also play a role in overcoming the present crisis with regard to the COVID- 19 Pandemic, SJB MP Mayantha Dissanayake said yesterday.

Opposition, Media distort beautification projects by Govt..

The Government’s decision to renovate a number of historically important buildings together with the immediate environment in Colombo, entrusted to the Urban Development Authority (UDA) has created a major controversy among the Opposition and the media, Co Cabinet Spokesman, Mass Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

43 more fall prey to COVID-19

Forty three more COVID-19 patients passed away due to the virus infection taking the death toll in the country to 1,527, the Government Information Department said.

New AG abolishes AG’s CO post with immediate effect

Newly appointed Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC has abolished the post of Co-ordinating Officer to the Attorney General with immediate effect, a circular stated.

Release hidden chemical fertilizer stocks to wholesale market: Govt. tells traders

The Government today informed all chemical fertilizer and pesticides traders to release their hidden stocks to the market, Government Information Director General Mohan Samaranayake said.

WHO approves Sinovac COVID vaccine, the second Chinese-made dose listed

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it has approved a COVID-19 vaccine made by drugmaker Sinovac Biotech (SVA.O) for emergency use listing, paving the way for a second Chinese shot to be used in poor countries.

Lankan who killed ex in Rome street found hanged in jail

A 49-year-old Sri Lankan care worker who stabbed his ex-wife to death in a Rome street on Saturday was found hanged in his jail cell at Frosinone, south of the Italian capital, on Tuesday morning, judicial sources said.

Prez orders to take the X-Express Pearl ship into deep-sea immediately

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed to take the X-Express Pearl ship that caught fire in Sri Lankan waters to deep sea.

Multiple properties in Colombo open for PPP

Multiple properties in Colombo are to be opened up for investments under a Private Public Partnership (PPP) model through a new company formed with Cabinet approval.

X-Press Pearl ship fire extinguished after a 13-day international operation: Navy

A fire aboard a cargo ship off Sri Lanka was finally extinguished Tuesday after a 13-day international operation, the navy said.

No change to India’s two-dose schedule for AstraZeneca vaccine - Indian govt adviser

India will stick to its schedule of giving two doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, a senior government adviser said on Tuesday.

J’apura University initiates research on Sputnik-V vaccine following concerns on dosage

Following heated debates and discussions on whether people should receive a single dose or both doses of the Sputnik-V vaccine, a team at the Jayawardenepura University has commenced research on the Russian vaccine’s efficacy, Dr Chandima Jeewandara, the Director at Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the University said.

Detained Maulavis claim under pressure to frame Hejaaz

Two Maulavis who have been arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), have informed court through their lawyer that they are under pressure to frame human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah.

All arriving passengers should undergo compulsory 14-day quarantine

All arriving passengers into Sri Lanka will be subject to a compulsory 14-day quarantine period as per the instructions of the health authorities, Aviation and Investment Zone Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka said.

Govt. expedites COVID-19 vaccination program to make SL COVID free

The Government has expedited the COVID19 vaccination program with an aim to make Sri Lanka COVID19 free, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP S. B. Dissanayake said.

No decision yet to extend island-wide travel restrictions: Army Chief

There has been no decision taken as yet to extend the ongoing island-wide travel restrictions beyond June 7 but the situation is being reviewed daily, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva told Dailymirror.

Birthday party at five star hotel : Six more attendees arrested

Six more persons, who attended the birthday party organized at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo on Sunday violating quarantine regulations have been arrested by the police.

Major smuggling attempt through drain thwarted at Welikada Prison

The prison officers at the female ward of the Welikada Prison have thwarted an attempt to smuggle mobile phones, phone batteries and SIM cards through the drain, an official said.

Govt. to bring few fortune 500 companies through Port City Project: SB

Through the Colombo Port City Development Project (CPCP), the government is hoping to bring at least three or four fortune 500 companies into the country, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP S. B. Dissanayake said.

’Get Astra Zeneca at any cost’ - President instructs Lalith

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed his principal advisor Lalith Weeratunga to expedite the search for the AstraZeneca vaccines as 600,000 people await their second jabs and time now seems to be clearly running out.

Did not issue any statement regarding acid rain: Met. Dept

The Meteorology Department today denied issuing any statement regarding an acid rain.

Moratuwa Mayor’s bail application rejected

The bail application filed on behalf of Moratuwa Mayor Samanlal Fernando,seeking bail has been rejected by the Moratuwa Additional Magistrate today.

MPs should motivate and encourage health workers: Amaraweera

All parliamentarians should act with responsibility and motivate and encourage all health personnel who are engaged in the battle against the COVID outbreak, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

All liquor shops island-wide sealed

All the licensed wine stores Island-wide would be sealed until the travel restrictions are lifted on June 7, the Excise Department said.

Dengue and COVID may show similar symptoms: Medical Expert

The Dengue virus and the virus that causes COVID-19 can generate similar symptoms, Dr. Indika Weerasinghe of the Health Ministry’s National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said.

Government insists Sri Lanka not a dumping ground for Chinese garbage

The Government today insisted that Sri Lanka is not a dumping ground for Chinese garbage.

No shortage of salt after MV X-Press Pearl incident

The Government today insisted that there was no shortage of salt as a result of the MV X-Press Pearl incident.

Fixed allowance for pre-school teachers from today

The Government has approved to provide a fixed allowance, ’Guru Abhimani’ after a certain training given for preschool teachers.

Govt. must seek advice from virologists, experts in its Parliament group: Ruwan

Government should seek the assistance of virologists and other experts who are in its Parliament group at this moment to overcome the COVID 19 pandemic, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said.

STF arrest man with 129kgs of cannabis in Kolonnawa

A man was arrested with 129 kilograms of Kerala cannabis during a search operation carried out by the STF at a house at Kolonnawa in Colombo.