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.

Sri Lanka is not the first South Asian country to receive Pfizer

Sri Lanka is not the first country in South Asia to receive the Pfizer vaccine as claimed in a tweet by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official twitter account today morning.

Soldier killed, 5 more injured when fuel tanker collided with Army truck

An Army soldier was killed and 5 more soldiers were injured when a fuel tanker collided with an Army truck parked at Ambagaswewa area on the Padeniya - Anuradhapura road this morning.

No-confidence motion against Gammanpila on July 19 and 20

The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided to take up the debate on the no-confidence motion against Minister Udaya Gammanpila on July 19 and 20.

Boris Johnson declares it’s time to live with COVID

Boris Johnson is to declare an end to most lockdown restrictions today, with social distancing rules, the work from home order, and mask mandates to be ditched from July 19 as he will argue that we must learn to live with coronavirus as we do with the flu.

Plastic, polythene use cannot be eliminated; can reduce using 3R stands: Dr. Jasinghe

The use of plastic and polythene cannot be completely eliminated, but it can be done by implementing certain programmes to reduce their use, such as 3R stands, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

First batch of Pfizer vaccines flown in

The first batch of 26,000 Pfizer vaccines to shield against COVID-19, which was funded by Sri Lanka as the first country in the South Asian region, arrived this morning, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) General Manager Dinusha Dassanayake said.

Looking forward to continuing long-standing partnership of friendship with US: Prez to Biden

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has assured US President Joe Biden that he was looking forward with optimism to continuing and expanding long-standing partnership of friendship and cooperation with the United States.

Supreme Court to resume normal sittings from today

The Supreme Court yesterday announced that it will resume normal sittings from today, in keeping with the Revised New Health Guidelines, issued by the Directorgeneral of Health.

Pfizer jabs in Sri Lanka today

The first dispatch of 26,000 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines was to be delivered to the country early this morning, a minister said.

2021 A/L applications will be received via online from today

The Examinations Department has announced the acceptance of applications for 2021 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination only via online from today, the Commissioner General of Examinations, Sanath B. Pujitha, said.

Mete out justice to journalist threatened by top police officer: Ruwan

UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene yesterday called for meting out justice to journalist Tarindu Jayawardena who has been threatened by a police officer.

Abduction and assault of man in Norochcholai: Captain, three soldiers remanded

The Captain and three soldiers of the Army, who were arrested for abducting and assaulting an individual in Norochcholai, have been remanded till July 12 by the Puttalam Magistrate Court.

45 more die of COVID-19

A total of 45 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (03) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 3,236.

Army to establish ’Walk-in’ vaccination centres from Monday

Medical teams of the Directorate of Preventive Medicine of the Army will establish new ‘walk in’ Community Vaccination Centres across the country and commence administering the first dose of Sinopharm vaccine to civilians from Monday (5) on-wards, the army said.

No decision to ban mobiles, other electronic items

Secretary to the Ministry of Finance said no decision has been taken to ban imports of mobile phones, TVs, refrigerators, several electronic items, deodorants etc as claimed on social media

NOCPCO denies permission to operate inter-provincial trains: SLSMU

The Railways Department today said the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) did not permit trains to operate between the provinces, the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLSMU) said.

Dayasiri grumbles about his State Ministry due to his inability to deliver: Rohitha

Responding to the statement made by State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said today that Dayasiri was grumbling about his Ministerial portfolio due to his inability to carry out the assigned duties and responsibilities in his State Ministry.

Revised health guidelines issued; inter-provincial travel ban remains unchanged

The Health Ministry has issued revised guidelines to be followed by people with effect from tomorrow (05) to July 19.

Govt. must amend PTA and stop hunting social media bloggers

Government should introduce an amendment to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to prevent arresting people for making posts in social media, Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed over the weekend.

Hemantha Withanage emerges Friends of the Earth’s new chair

Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice Hemantha Withanage, has been elected as the chair of Friends of the Earth International (FoEI), which is the world’s largest grassroots environmental justice organisation.

This Cabinet is Basil’s and PB’s; not President’s: Dayasiri

While claiming that issues faced by the country would not be resolved through Basil Rajapaksa’s entry to Parliament, State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said Cabinet and State Ministries were designated by Basil Rajapaksa.

One GN division isolated, five divisions freed: NOCPCO

The Sagaradeniya Watta area in Yatiwawala Grama Niladhari (GN) division in the Katugastota police area in Kandy was brought under isolation this morning with immediate effect, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said

Captain, three soldiers arrested over abduction and assault of man in Norochcholai

A Captain and three soldiers of the Army have been arrested for abducting and assaulting an individual in Norochcholai, Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said.

Another 1mn Sinopharm vaccines reach SL

Sri Lanka received another one million doses of Sinopharm vaccines this morning for the rollout of the second dose.

Paramour arrested over sexual abuse of teenage girl

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) arrested a man for sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl from Colombo yesterday.

34 more die of COVID-19

A total of 34 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (02) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 3,191.

14 new patients detected with Delta variant

A total of 14 new cases of dreaded Indian variant known as Delta have been reported in the country, Deputy Director of Health Services Dr Hemantha Herath said.