People’s concern on virus dwindle, but risk gradually increases: GMOA

It is doubtful whether there is any public concern about the coronavirus. However, the risk of the virus spread is gradually increasing, the Government Medical Officers’ Association said.

Accidents claim lives similar to terrorism: Ajith Rohana

Approximately 3,000 road accidents take place daily, is similar to people losing lives due to terrorist activities, Police Spokesman and Senior DIG Ajith Rohana said.

36% of target population given at least the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Thirty six percent of the total population above 30 years of age in Sri Lanka has been administered with at least the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Director Ranjith Batuwanthudawa said.

Wildlife Minister denies Opp. leader’s statement to use 12,000 acres of Yala

Wildlife and Forest Conservation Minister C. B. Ratnayake denied the statement made by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on the attempt to take away 12,000 acres from the Yala National Park.

Court issues Enjoining Order preventing wife from accessing husband’s computer

Mount Lavinia District Court has issued an Enjoining Order preventing the wife from collecting data, documents, text messages or any other information stored on her husband’s computer using any other surveillance devices.

Sinopharm first dose at Vihara Maha Devi Park open theatre from Thursday for people in WP

The general public above 30 years of age in the Western Province (WP) are able to get the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine at the Vihara Maha Devi Park open theatre in Colombo from Thursday (15), National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (​NOCPCO) said.

Seven Addl. SGs appointed as President’s Counsel

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed seven Additional Solicitor Generals of the Attorney General’s Department as President’s Counsels.

Travellers reluctant to get Sinopharm jab

Some people have shown reluctance to obtain the Chinese manufactured Sinopharm vaccine as it may hamper their plans to travel to certain countries.

Dinesh Chandimal writes to Sri Lanka Cricket

Sri Lanka cricketer Dinesh Chandimal has written to Chairman of the Sri Lanka Cricket Committee Aravinda De Silva requesting a meeting to discuss his future with Sri Lanka cricket.

President’s meeting with SLC officials postponed: Namal

The meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and officials from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) along with the Cricket Committee scheduled to be held today has been postponed, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa said.

No alternative, satisfactory way other than classroom teaching: Minister

There is no any other alternative and satisfactory way other than the school classroom environment for children to continue with their studies, Education Minister G. L. Peiris said.

NIE to introduce home based learning programme from Aug. 1

While ensuring equal educational rights of all schoolchildren in the country and instead of online teaching practices, a home-based learning programme leading to self-learning will be implemented in the education system from August 1, the National Institute of Education (NIE) said.

Anura receives Covid vaccine

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has received his COVID-19 vaccine today.

Sajith alleges govt going to eat up 12,000 acres from Yala National Park

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, today alleged that the government was planning to take away 12,000 acres from the Yala National Park, block one for unknown purposes.

Forced quarantine of civil activists: Buddhist monk files Habeas Corpus petition

A Buddhist monk today filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an interim order directing authorities to produce Media Secretary of National Bhikkhu Front Ven. Koswatte Mahanama Thera before Court forthwith.

Ranil calls for debate on country’s foreign exchange crisis

UNP MP and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a debate on what he called a major foreign exchange crisis that the country is facing at the moment.

Biodegradable lunch sheets compulsory from Aug. 1: Amaraweera

The Environment Ministry has made the use of biodegradable lunch sheets compulsory from August 1, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

AG assures court Harin will not be arrested until Sept. 1

The Attorney General today gave an undertaking to the Supreme Court that Parliamentarian Harin Fernando will not be arrested until September 1 this year, in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Railway guard manhandled for asking youth to wear face masks

A railway guard came under physical assault by two young men after they were asked to wear face masks before boarding the train at the Dehiwala Railway Station yesterday, Police spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said.

Three nabbed with handcuffs for robbing impersonating as cops

Three men impersonating themselves as policemen were arrested in Wattala in connection with abductions, robberies and snatch theft cases along with handcuffs.

X-press Feeders pays Sri Lanka US$ 3.6mn

X-press Feeders, operators of the container ship ‘X-press Pearl’, through the vessel owner’s P&I insurers, have made an initial payment of US$3.6 million to the Sri Lankan government to help compensate those affected by the consequences of the fire and sinking of the vessel.

We will mobilise people from every nook and corner to launch street battles: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa together with SJB MPS hold placards at the protest march held at Kadawatha yesterday.

Anura calls on Govt. to withdraw moves to sell Kerawalapitiya plant to US Company

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday called on the Government to withdraw the moves to sell Kerawalapitiya Yugadhanavi Power Plant to an American Company claiming that it would pose a threat to national security and national economy.

PHIS not informed to send those engaged in protests for quarantine: PHI’S Union

In the wake of a couple of incidents where those who were engaged in recent protests were directed for quarantine, following orders given by the Director-general of Health Services to ban all public gatherings and protests, the Public Health Inspectors Union said they had not been informed to send any individual engaged in protests for quarantine.

Relief package for bus owners who couldn’t pay lease installments: State Minister

A relief package will be introduced for bus owners in the future for all those who are unable to pay their lease instalments, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Limited bus, train service between provinces from today: Dilum

After having relaxed the travel restrictions, a limited number of inter-provincial buses and trains have been permitted to operate from today, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunugama said.

Anusha Palpita gets new ministry secretary post

Anusha Palpita, who recently announced his premature retirement as the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries has been appointed as the new Secretary to the newly formed Ministry of Economic Policies and Plan Implementation.

Ban on shopping bags, lunch sheets come to effect soon: Minister

The Environment Ministry has decided to implement the ban on shopping bags and lunch sheets in the next few weeks, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Massive solar storm set to hit Earth: GPS, phone signals likely to be damaged, power grids vulnerable

Weeks after a powerful solar flare created a blackout over the Atlantic, a solar storm is headed towards Earth likely to hit the planet on Tuesday and Wednesday. Dubbed as a geomagnetic storm, the high-speed stream of solar wind is expected to hit Earth’s magnetic field as weather forecasters issue warnings.

Cardinal gives one month deadline to take action against Easter attack perpetrators

Cardinal Malclom Ranjith together with several bishops of the Catholic church in Sri Lanka in a letter addressed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested him to provide a credible answer to all the questions that the church has raised on Easter Sunday attacks and take action against those who are responsible for it within one month.