JVP urges Govt. to conduct scientific study to assess damage

While claiming that an irreparable loss caused to all sectors of environment, social and economy due to the distressed MV X-Press Pearl vessel, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged the government to conduct a scientific study on the fishery harvest and a proper assessment on the damage caused to the marine environment and social life of the coastal belt.

Piumi Hansamali, Chandimal & others sent for quarantine in Passara

Fifteen attendees including event organiser Chandimal Jayasinghe and model Piyumi Hansamali who were arrested earlier for organising a birthday party at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo on Sunday night violating quarantine regulations, have been sent to serve quarantine.

Sooka questions appointment of former IGP to OMP

A former member of a UN expert panel on Sri Lanka, Yasmin Sooka, has questioned the appointment of former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Jayantha Wickremaratne to the Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

Sri Lanka yet to submit compensation claims to ship owners

Sri Lanka is yet to submit claims to obtain compensation from the owners of the ship, MV X-Press Pearl. State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Public Sanitation Dr. Nalaka Godahewa told Daily Mirror that discussions are still ongoing to make an interim claim.

Sinopharm to be administered in 12 districts from June 8: Army Commander

The Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine will be administered in 12 districts from June 8 and will be given to pregnant women and for senior citizens, Head of the National Operation Center for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Army Commander and General Shavendra Silva said.

Islandwide travel restriction extended till June 14

The islandwide travel restriction will be extended till June 14, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Fishing activities from Panadura to Negombo suspended

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has advised the fishermen to suspend all fishing activities in the sea areas extending from Panadura to Negombo via Colombo with immediate effect.

Even if Rs.100 bn is paid as compensation, environmental damage cannot be restored

Even if Rs. 100 billion is paid to the government as compensation for the MV X-Press Pearl ship that caught fire in Sri Lankan waters, the damage caused to the environment cannot be restored, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Update: Birthday party at five star hotel : 13 attendees granted bail

Seven more people have been arrested for attending the birthday party organized at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo on Sunday night violating quarantine regulations, Police said.

Marriage registration fees revised from June 1: Registrar General’s Dept.

The Registrar General’s Department revised the charges of marriages registration with effect from June 1, the Registrar General’s Department Register General W.M.M.B. Weerasekara said.

Over 600 cases reported in Colombo, Gampaha yesterday

Among the 2,845 COVID positive cases reported yesterday, Colombo and Gampaha districts had more than 600 cases apiece, while Gampaha recorded the highest, National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

US to decide soon on countries to benefit from its global vaccine sharing initiative

The United States will decide soon on the countries to benefit from its global vaccine sharing initiative, an embassy spokesperson said.

Update: Chandimal at Keselwatte police over traffic offence

Event organiser Chandimal Jayasinghe and his driver have arrived at the Keselwatte police to give statements over a traffic offence.

Measures underway to protect marine environment if ship sinks

Measures are underway to protect the marine environment if the MV X-Press Pearl ship sinks, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said.

MV X-Press Pearl ship has started to sink: Navy

The MV X-Press Pearl ship that caught fire in Sri Lankan waters has started to sink this morning, the Navy said.

Country is going through deepest ever financial crisis: Patali

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said the country is going through the deepest ever financial crisis in its history.

Police introduce sticker system to avoid repeated checking of vehicles

The Police have introduced a special sticker system for the vehicles entering Colombo City to avoid repeated checking of vehicles from today.

Special police teams to raid parties, public gatherings

Special police teams have been deployed to raid parties and public gatherings organised in violation of quarantine rules and regulations throughout the country.

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.