Opp. Leader calls for broad independent probe on ’MV X –press Pearl’ fire

In a special communiqué, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stressed for an independent probe to determine as to who had granted permission to the ship to enter Sri Lankan waters and into the vicinity of Colombo Port, whether the crew members informed the relevant Sri Lankan authorities that they were approaching the Sri Lankan waters and to determine as to how much Sri Lanka should claim as damages from the owners that owns the ship.

Moratuwa Mayor arrested for threatening doctor and obstructing duties

Moratuwa Mayor Samanlal Fernando has been arrested after he surrendered to the Mount Lavinia Police this morning for allegedly threatening a female doctor and obstructing duties of officials

829 quarantine law violators arrested within 24-hours

A total of 829 suspects have been arrested in connection with the violation of quarantine rules and regulations during the last 24-hours, recording the highest number of arrests made since October 30, last year.

President to decide today on islandwide travel restriction

The COVID-19 taskforce will meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at 11 am today to discuss the present situation in the country and when it is advisable for travel restrictions to be lifted, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka braces for major impact to environment

The fire on the ship MV X-Press Pearl has had a serious impact on the environment with debris now spread between Negombo and Moratuwa.

Second batch of Sputnik-V vaccines flown in

A consignment 50,000 Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccine vials reached the Katunayake International Airport last night.

27 more COVID-19 fatalities reported

Twenty seven more individuals died of the COVID-19 virus surging the death toll to 1,325, the Government Information Department said.

Travel restriction to be discussed tomorrow

A special meeting will be held tomorrow morning between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and members of the COVID-19 committee to asses the ongoing travel restrictions and whether the restriction will be relaxed on May 31, a senior official told Daily Mirror.

2,572 fresh COVID cases reported today

A total of 2,572 new Covid-19 patients were reported today bringing the total number of cases in the country to 174,849, the Government Information Department said.

Possible threat on people if fish swallow plastic materials from X-Press Pearl ship: MEPA

While saying that many plastic materials are seen scattered along the beach with the debris received from the X-Press Pearl ship , Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said there is a possible threat on people that if fish species in the breading areas swallow those plastic pebbles, those plastics could directly come to us.

Gazette issued declaring several services as Essential Services

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued declaring several services as essential services considering the current COVID-19 situation in the country.

Woman soldiers now operate as special riders to monitor spread of COVID-19 in Jaffna

A Special Women Corps Quick Reaction Rider Team had been formed to operate in an emergency situation and to assist COVID-19 prevention work and controlling process.

President orders to provide organic fertilizer for ’Maha’ Season

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed the relevant officials to take actions to provide organic fertilizer required for the ’Maha’ Season to farmers without any shortage.

No chance of catching fish from the area, NARA

While saying that deaths of marine species could be expected as the debris, containing chemicals has mixed with the sea water, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) said they had taken steps to stop fishing in the adjoining area.

’X-Press Pearl’ operators refute report that vessel denied entry into India and Qatar

X-Press Feeders, operators of the container ship ’X-Press Pearl’ has refuted reports that the vessel was denied entry into Hazira Port in India and Hamad Port in Qatar.

Speaker signs Colombo Port City Bill making it effective from today

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane has placed his signature today (27) validating the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill which was passed in Parliament on May 20, 2021.

AstraZeneca warns SL not to purchase from private buyers

AstraZeneca has informed Sri Lanka’s State Pharmaceutical Corporation not to purchase the AstraZeneca vaccines from any private trader or company as these vaccines are likely to be counterfeit and should be refused and reported to the relevant authorities.

MEPA lodges complaint against Captain of X-Press Pearl ship

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) today lodged a complaint to the Colombo harbour police to take legal action against the Captain of the X-Press Pearl ship, which caught fire near the Colombo Harbor and its parent company over the environmental damage, police said.

Second dose of Sinopharm vaccines to begin from June 8

Around 375,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines out of 500,000 donated by China have been retained to administer the second dose, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Consumers affected by power breakdowns rise to 177,000: CEB

There is a cumulative growth of the number of consumers who have been affected by power breakdowns within last two days due to the adverse weather conditions prevailed in the country, The Power Ministry said.

Ex-female councillor arrested with illegally assembled car in Colombo

The Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested a former female councillor of the Colombo Municipal Council in Colombo 13 with a car assembled in Sri Lanka in violation of customs and related laws.

Sajith not infected with COVID outside Parliament: Kiriella

While Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella dismissed claims that the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa had contracted COVID 19 outside Parliament, Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando said no medical analysis was conducted to determine whether Mr. Peramdasa or others have got it from inside or outside the House premises.

X-Press Pearl burning off Sri Lanka denied entry to Qatar, India: report

The burning ship, X-Press Pearl, at the centre of an environmental catastrophe off Sri Lanka was denied access at two ports in India and Qatar, foreign media reported.

Escaped COVID-19 patient located

The police has arrested the COVID-19 infected patient who had escaped from a private hospital in Kollupitiya on Tuesday.

Coorperative Society Director arrested for defrauding Rs.910mn

The officers of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) yesterday arrested a Director of a Cooperative Society based in Wattegedara, Maharagama for misappropriation of funds belonging to the bank for the tune of Rs.910 million, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Eight arrested over collecting debris from ’MV X-Press Pearl’

Eight people have been arrested for collecting waste that was washed ashore from the burning ‘MV X-Press Pearl’ vessel, violating quarantine rules and regulations.

Biden calls for intelligence report on origins of COVOD-19 in 90 days

President Joe Biden said Wednesday he has directed the US intelligence community to redouble their efforts in investigating the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic and report back to him in 90 days.

Will evacuate Sri Lankans in Gaza if need arises: Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Ministry is monitoring the developments in Gaza and will evacuate Sri Lankans in Gaza and Israel if the need arises.

JVP urges Govt. to formulate mechanism to distribute essential commodities

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday urged the government to formulate a mechanism to distribute essential commodities among the people claiming that they had faced numerous issues due to the imposition of travel restrictions.

29 more succumb to COVID-19: Toll mounts to 1,298

A total of 29 COVID-19 related deaths were reported bringing the death toll to 1,298, the Government Information Department said.