Policy decision taken to shift Police Headquarters to Pepiliyana

A policy decision has been taken to shift the Police Headquarters to Pepiliyana.

First flight with 53 passengers landed after reopening airport

After the re-opening of airports in the country for locals and foreigners, the first flight from Doha touched down at the Katunayake International Airport with 53 passengers, the airport duty manager said

WHO now using Greek alphabet for coronavirus variant names

Coronavirus variants with clunky, alphanumeric names have been assigned letters from the Greek alphabet in a bid to simplify discussion and pronunciation while avoiding stigma.

Russia tells SL: First dose provides sufficient protection

In what appeared to be another radical step in global vaccine development, Russia informed Sri Lanka that its Sputnik V could even be used as a single shot vaccine following new clinical data about the development of 70-80 percent efficacy level after the first jab, an official said.

43 more die of COVID-19; toll surges to 1,484

Forty three more COVID-19 related deaths were reported taking the death toll to 1,484, the Government Information Department said.

Vaccine recipients in Kandy asked to sign form before first Sputnik-V dose; Health Ministry unaware of the incident

The incident in which a consent form was issued to people at a vaccination centre in Kundasale, Kandy with an undertaking therein says ‘I wish to take only the first dose of Sputnik-V vaccine’, has taken place without the knowledge of the Health Ministry, the Ministry said.

2,882 fresh COVID-19 cases detected today

A total of 2,882 more COVID-19 patients were detected within today increasing the total cases reported in Sri Lanka to 186,364, the Government Information Department said.

Cancellation of police leave extended till June 15

The cancellation of leave of police officers will be extended till June 15 as the travel restrictions have been extended till June 7, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

President appoints members to Port City Commission

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed members to the Port City Commission.

UNP WC picks Ranil for Parliament

The Working Committee (WC) of the United National Party (UNP) has picked party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as the UNP nominee for Parliament.

Dr Abeykoon wins South-East Asia Region WHO World No Tobacco Day 2021 award

Former Chairman of National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol, Dr Palitha Abeykoon, who is also International Pubilc Health Expert, and WHO Director-General Special Envoy for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response for SEAR, has won the South-East Asia Region WHO World No Tobacco Day 2021 award.

Cabinet nod to remove Daya Gamage’s ‘Olympus’ construction company: Johnston

The Cabinet gave approval to remove a construction company named ‘Olympus’ affiliated to former UNP Minister Daya Gamage from the construction of the Second Phase of the Central Expressway for their deliberate delay amounting to sabotage, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.

Two cops face interdiction for soliciting bribe from man violating travel restrictions

Two Policemen have been interdicted for obtaining a bribe of Rs. 2,000 from an individual who was travelling violating travel restrictions at Norochcholai in Puttalam.

ASP transferred over Kurunegala Mayor’s birthday celebration; Two probes underway

An Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) has been transferred for allowing to organise Kurunegala Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa’s birthday celebration at the Kurunegala Police premises, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Police to file case against management of Shangri-La Hotel

The Fort Police will take legal action against the management of the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo for allowing to host a birthday party on Sunday night when islandwide restrictions are presently in place, the Dailymirror learns.

Sri Lanka temporarily halts arrivals from Vietnam

Although the airport will be opened from June 1, people who have been in Vietnam for 14 days will not be allowed to enter the country temporarily, Aviation and Export Zones Development State Minister D. V. Chanaka said.

Chandimal Jayasinghe and Piyumi Hansamali granted bail

Event organiser Chandimal Jayasinghe and model Piumi Hansamali who were arrested by the Fort Police on charges of violating quarantine regulations for organising a birthday party at a five star hotel in Colombo, have been released on bail.

Chandimal Jayasinghe and Piumi Hansamali arrested

Event organiser Chandimal Jayasinghe and model Piumi Hansamali have been arrested by the Fort Police on charges of violating quarantine regulations for organising a birthday party at a five star hotel in Colombo.

Lorry seized with Rs.17Mn worth liquor bottles at roadblock

A lorry has been taken into police custody while transporting 9,240 bottles of liquor worth Rs.17 million at a roadblock at Rideethenna in Valachchenai this morning, Police said.

Colombo tops list with 608 positive cases yesterday: NOCPCO

As there were 2,859 COVID positive cases reported yesterday, the Colombo District recorded the highest with 608, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Stock of Kerala Cannabis worth over Rs.14 Mn seized in Point Pedro

Over 48 kgs of Kerala Cannabis worth over Rs.14 million were seized by the army officers in collaboration with the Navy yesterday in Point Pedro area.

Second doses of Sinopharm to begin from June 8

The second doses of the Sinopharm vaccines will begin to be administered from June 8, exactly a month after the first doses began to be administered, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror.

CID records statements from Captain, engineers of X-Press Pearl

The CID is currently recordings statements from the Captain, Chief engineer and deputy chief engineer of the X-press pearl vessel in connection with the complaint by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) over the environmental damage due to the fire.

’’Even India C team can beat Sri Lanka,” says Pakistan Kamran Akmal

’’Even if India sends a C team to Sri Lanka they will win. The Lankans recently lost to Bangladesh,” Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Kamran Akmal said ahead of India’s tour of Sri Lanka in July this year.

Covishield 2nd jab at Abhayaramaya not approved by Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health said that it had not sanctioned the inoculation program of the Covishield Astrazeneca vaccine at the Abhayaramaya Temple in Narahenpita.

‘Tarzan’ actor Joe Lara killed in plane crash

“Tarzan: The Epic Adventures” actor Joe Lara was killed in a plane crash that left his wife and five others dead in Tennessee on Saturday.

Marriage registrar arrested for accommodating Zaharan, others

A 55-year-old registrar of marriages was arrested by Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) at Oluvil for providing accommodation to Zahran Hashim and others before the Easter Sunday attack.

Non-stop firefighting efforts on MV X-Press Pearl yield positive results: India

Indian and Sri Lankan authorities’ joint efforts to extinguish the massive fire onboard a container vessel off Colombo have yielded positive results with increasing signs of fire being under control, said Indian Defence Ministry on Sunday.

Over 50 residents, staff of elder’s home in Mulgampola test COVID-19 positive

More than 50 residents and staff of an elder’s home in Mulgampola in Kandy have been tested COVID-19 positive, a notice put out by its board of trustees said yesterday.

Why pay more for vaccines? Sajith asks Govt.

The government should explain as to why it is paying an extra $70 million (Rs.14,140 million) for the 14 million doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines purchased from China, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.