20 channels to telecast online education soon

With the aim of promoting online based education system, the cabinet ministers had agreed to broadcast all school subjects as programs through 20 television channels, Cabinet co-spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

Ongoing strike action by Health workers called off

The trade union action launched by 15 unions attached to health sector including Public Health Inspectors Union was called off following a decisive discussion held with Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and other officials.

20A has allowed dual citizens to enter Parliament: Vijitha

Even though the Government assured to amend the clause on dual citizenship through a new Constitution, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Vijitha Herath said today the 20th amendment to the Constitution had paved the way for dual citizens to enter Parliament deceiving people and some Government factions that objected to the clause on dual citizenship.

UPDATE - Cardiologist remanded till July 19 over alleged rape of minor, met her at Liberty Plaza

A cardiologist attached to Welisara Navy Camp who was arrested over the allegations that he committed a statutory rape after having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl was today ordered to be remanded till July 19 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Medical experts urge pregnant women to get jabbed

Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have requested women, aged above 30, in the Western Province, to get inoculated against Covid -19 at the nearest vaccination centre.

Poet Ahnaf Jazeem’s FR: AG to raise objections

The Attorney General’s Department today informed Supreme Court that it would file limited objections against the fundamental Rights petition filed on behalf of 26-year-old poet Ahnaf Jazeem challenging his arrest and detention.

Health strike action to go ahead as talks fail

The trade union action launched by 15 unions including Public Health Inspectors Union will continue as talks held with relevant officials failed to break the logjam.

Committee appointed to compensate affected parties

The Government has appointed a committee to compensate the affected parties other than the fishing sector who had lost their livelihoods after the fire on MV X-Press Pearl freighter which had brought in one of the worst ever maritime disasters the country had witnessed.

SLPP MP resigns for Basil to enter Parliament

SLPP Parliamentarian Jayantha Katagoda resigned from his MP seat a short while ago to pave way for Basil Rajapaksa to be sworn in as a MP through the national list.

Contact Grama Niladhari to ensure your name in 2021 Electoral Register

The Elections Commission requested people to contact the respective Grama Niladharis to include and ensure the name in the 2021 Electoral Register.

Mask law and one metre rule set to end in England

Boris Johnson is expected to confirm he is confident the majority of the remaining Covid restrictions in England can be lifted from 19 July.

Leading Cardiologist among arrested for sexual abuse on teenage girl

A 41-year old Heart Specialist of a leading hospital in Colombo has been arrested for the sexual abuse on a 15-year old girl from Mount Lavinia.

Sinopharm first dose for 30 plus

The first dose of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine will be given today for the people who are over 30 years of age at the Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) vaccination centres.

Pfizer to be given as second jab in Colombo

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the Ministry of Health (MOH) to issue 25,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to the City of Colombo to be used as the second jab on those who obtained the Astrazeneca vaccine.

Authorities clarify why spas allowed to operate

Health authorities yesterday clarified as to why spas were allowed to operate as per the revised health guidelines issued on Sunday.

Cardinal Malcom Ranjith opposes filling of Muthurajawela wetlands

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcom Ranjith in a letter addressed to the Director General Central Environment Authority had requested the latter to refrain from granting approval for the proposed LNG power plant that is to be constructed in Muturajawela.

Govt. has given up on Covid control after third wave: Anura

The Government has given up its effort in combating the Covid pandemic where its intervention after the third wave was very poor and contradictory, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Permission to operate Aloysius-owned Mendis brewery, revoked

Days after permission was granted to resume operation of the W.M. Mendis & Co. Distillery owned by controversial businessman Arjun Aloysius, the Cabinet decided to cancel the license issued to the company, informed sources said.

People in isolated village in Ratnapura protest demanding relief

Residents of at least 125 families at Kahengama Watta Grama Niladhari Division in Ratnapura, which is currently under isolation, today held a protest claiming that they have not received any food relief or Rs. 5000 allowance.

Restrictions relaxed to protect livelihoods, people should bear responsibility

The restrictions have been relaxed to protect the livelihoods of the people in a situation of the Delta Covid variant spreading, General Public Health Deputy Director Dr. Susie H. Perera said.

Egodawela forced to compete without coach at Olympics

Shooter Tehani Egodawela will be forced to compete in the Tokyo Olympics without her coach, U.M. Premalal.

Significant number of teachers given COVID-19 vaccine: Edu. Minister

Along with the government’s COVISHIELD vaccination programme, a significant number of teachers have been given the vaccine, the Education Minister, Prof. Peiris, said.

2,096 resource centres ready to conduct online education: Minister

As a solution to the practical issues that have arisen in providing education to school children through online methods, a total number of 2,096 resource centres were opened today, Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said.

Rajapakse handed one-year ban, suspended for 2 years

Sri Lanka batsman Bhanuka Rajapakse was on Monday handed a one-year ban from all forms of cricket, suspended over two years and an approximately million-rupee fine (US$ 5000) by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for comments he made on social media recently.

Update: Sexual exploitation on 15-year-old girl: Fmr Maldivian state minister arrested

Four more persons including former Maldives State Minister of Finance Mohamed Ashmalee and a manager of a hotel have been arrested yesterday for sexually exploiting the 15-year old girl, police said.

COVID-19 situation can go from bad to worse due to ongoing trade union action

The trade union action launched by several trade unions linked to health sector today, could make things related to COVID-19 worse in the country leaving health services in a fix, the Health authorities pointed out.

Justice Murdu Fernando recuses herself from hearing petitions challenging presidential pardon given to Sunil Ratnayake

Supreme Court Justice Murdu Fernandotoday recused herself from hearing several Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the Presidential pardon given to ex-soldier Sunil Ratnayake.

Min. Lanza asks Dayasiri to quit if he does not like his ministry

State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza, who is perceived be close confidant of SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa said Minister Dayasiri Jayaekara should resign from his post if it was unsuitable for him, making way for another from his party to take over.

Justice Samayawardena recuses himself from hearing Bathiudeen’s petition

Supreme Court Judge Mahinda Samayawardena today recused himself from hearing the Fundamental Rights petitions filed by former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen.

Won’t allow opposition to fish in troubled waters: Sagara Kariyawasam

Even though there was no change in the stance of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on the recent fuel price hike, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today they would not allow the opposition to fish in troubled waters by bringing in a no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila.