’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.

Vaccination rollout in three more districts

The vaccination rollout which commenced in the Kurunegala district today will be extended to two more districts such as Galle and Matara from tomorrow, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Sinovac to manufacture vaccines locally within the next two months: Prof. Jayasumana

The discussion held with regards to manufacturing the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines locally was a success and hoping to manufacture the vaccines within the next two months, Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals State Minister Professor Channa Jayasumana said.

’’In these troubled times, think about life options in the light of Lord Buddha’s teachings’’

While wishing the members of the Venerable Maha Sangha and the Buddhist public, a blessed Vesak celebration, Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said that in these troubled times, when Covid-19 is afflicting our nation, it is important for us to think about our life options in the light of the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

South Korea removes mask mandate for vaccinated people

South Koreans who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors, the government announced on Wednesday.

Police to take action against those collect debris from ’X-Press Pearl’

The police had began an investigation to identify and take action against those who had rushed to the shores of Colombo, Negombo and nearby areas to collect waste from the burning ship ‘ MV X-Press Pearl’.

Massive Sinkhole opens up close to Kothmale Dam

A massive sinkhole has appeared on the road leading to the Kothmale Dam today (26).

Debris coming from Pearl X-Press not yet classified or identified, says CEA

While saying the debris or waste coming off the distressed MV X-PRESS PEARL vessel are hazardous, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) today stressed that those waste material have not been yet separately classified and therefore, it is extremely dangerous to touch or collect them.

Presidential pardon for 260 prisoners on Vesak Day

A total of 260 prisoners were released today on a presidential pardon given due to Vesak Poya Day, Prisons Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake said.

76,000 consumers affected due to adverse weather: CEB

Some 76,000 consumers have been affected by power breakdowns due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country, Power and Energy Development Director and Media Spokesperson Sulakshana Jayawardena said.

First lunar eclipse of this year visible tonight at moonrise

The first lunar eclipse of this year will be visible to many parts of the world including Sri Lanka on today (on the Vesak Full Moon day), Prof. Chandana Jayaratne of the Department of Physics, Colombo University said.

Some people in Negombo spotted carrying away washed away debris

Some people in Negombo were spotted carrying debris washed ashore on the beaches from the burning X Press Pearl ship in the outskirts of the Colombo port, despite a warning by the Marine Environment Protection Authority not to touch any of the washed ashore debris as it could be harmful.

Ten Opp. Leader’s office staffers test COVID positive

At least 10 members of the Opposition Leader’s office in Parliament were tested COVID-19 positive, a spokesman from the Opposition Leader’s office said today.

Sajith and Jalani recovering from COVID-19

The health condition of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife Jalani Premadasa who contracted the COVID-19 is improving, a spokesman from the Opposition Leader’s office said.

Temporary restriction on inbound travelers lifted from June 1

The Government has decided to lift the temporary restriction imposed on inbound travelers with effect from June 1, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said.