US ex-police officer sentenced to over 22 years for George Floyd murder

Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted in the murder of George Floyd, was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison, a judge ruled Friday in Minneapolis.

COVID-19 vaccination to be completed on people above 60 by mid-July

“We were assured that Pfizer will also deliver 205,000 vaccine doses next month in batches. The first lot will arrive on July 5”

Four GN Divisions in Kegalle district isolated

Four Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Kegalle District have been isolated with effect from 6 am today, the National Operations Center for Prevention of COVID-19 said.

Basil tipped to be new Minister of Finance, Economic Development

Basil Rajapaksa will enter Parliament next month after he is sworn in as a national list MP, political sources confirmed to Daily Mirror yesterday.

Canteen Owners’ Association Chief Asela Sampath abducted: Family claims

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Chief Asela Sampath has been allegedly abducted, by a group who had claimed that they were CID, at his residence in Pelawatta, his family said.

Ban of chemical fertilizer import not a hasty decision: President

Commenting on the controversy over stopping the importation of chemical fertilizers, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said it was not a hasty decision.

48 more succumb to COVID-19

A total of 48 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (24) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 2,862.

13 Mn people to be vaccinated by end of September: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said 13 million people could be vaccinated by the end of September this year.

Over 17Mn doses of vaccine to arrive in SL by September

An excess of 17 million doses of vaccines, including Sinopharm, Sinovac and Sputnik V are expected to arrive in the country from July to September, the President’s Media Division said.

Two soldiers killed, four injured after army truck fell into canal in Batticaloa

Two soldiers were killed while four others were admitted to hospital after an army truck fell into a canal near the Sengaladi Black Bridge in Batticaloa.

1,843 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 1,843 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 214,668, the Health Ministry said

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sarvekshak arrives in SL for survey assistance

A Survey Ship of Indian Navy INS Sarvekshak arrived in the Colombo Port yesterday to assist in the Survey efforts being undertaken in the vicinity of the ill fated MV X-Press Pearl and off Colombo.

Risk of emerging new COVID clusters still prevails: Health authorities

Although Sri Lanka sees a downward trend in COVID-19 infections, the Health authorities warned that there is always a risk of emerging new clusters in the country.

Immigration and Emigration Dept. to issue limited number of passports

The Immigration and Emigration Department has decided to issue a limited number of passports in the one day and normal service while adhering to health guidelines, Department Controller General U. V. Sarath Rupasiri said

Basil to enter Parliament as MP

Basil Rajapaksa will enter Parliament next month after he is sworn in as a national list MP, political sources confirmed to Daily Mirror.

Temporarily assigned teachers should return after school resumes: Ministry

All national school teachers who have been temporarily attached to another school and have completed their assignments should report to their permanent place after schools re-open, the Education Ministry said.

Container ship en route from Colombo disabled, adrift after fire in Indian ocean

Container ship MSC MESSINA reportedly suffered fire in engine room in Indian ocean halfway between Sri Lanka and Malacca Strait, at around 1930 UTC Jun 24, foreign media reported.

People’s behaviour will determine further tightening of restrictions: Health DG

While saying that the people’s behaviour during last the three days was not satisfactory, Director-General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena said the authorities would have to further tighten restrictions if people’s behaviour continues to be irresponsible in the period ahead.

Env. Ministry directs GSMB to facilitate farmers with soil testing on farm land

The Environment Ministry instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) to provide their laboratory facilities to facilitate soil testing on farm land, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Legal action against motorists entering Central Expressway: Police

Legal action will be taken on the motorists who enter the Central Expressway (E-04) which is presently under construction, Police Spokesman SGIG Ajith Rohana said.

Spouse, employee arrested over mysterious death of leading Negombo businessman

The wife of a popular businessman and an employee have been arrested over the death of the businessman in Negombo under mysterious circumstances, the police said.

10 GN divisions in 5 districts isolated, isolation lifted in 2 GN divisions

The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) announced that ten Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in five districts were brought under isolation, while the isolation in two GN divisions in the Colombo district have been lifted.

SLFP won’t support opposition’s NCM against Gammanpila: Amaraweera

The decision to increase fuel prices was a decision taken by the Cost of Living Committee, not a personal decision by the Minister, Udaya Gammanpila. Therefore, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided not to support the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the minister, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Car, motorcycle collide on central expressway: Two youth killed

Two youth aged 19 and 24 were killed when their motorcycle collided with a car near the 59th KM post of the Central Expressway which is under construction.

Presidential Pardon on Duminda Silva another example of selective, arbitrary granting of pardon: UN

Presidential pardon of Duminda Silva, a former MP convicted of the murder of a fellow politician, is another example of selective, arbitrary granting of pardons that weakens rule of law and undermines accountability, the UN Human Rights Office said.

CARAT–21 exercise gets underway in Trincomalee with US and Japan

The inauguration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise-2021 popularly known as CARAT got underway at Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee today with the participation by the Sri Lanka Navy, United States 7th Fleet and Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF).

45 more die of COVID-19

A total of 45 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (23) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 2,814.

Yam-based eco friendly lunch sheets, shopping bags introduced

With the decision of the Environment Ministry to ban polythene and plastic lunch sheets and shopping bags, local manufacturers are keen to introduce new products made out of eco friendly and easily perishable materials.

Duminda’s pardon undermines SL’s rule of law- US Ambassador

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B Teplitz today said that Presidential pardon of Duminda Silva was undermining Sri Lanka’s rule of law.

Death-row inmates on hunger strike

In the wake of the release of former MP Duminda Silva under a presidential pardon, several inmates of the Mahara and Welikada Prisons who have been sentenced to death have commenced a hunger strike from this afternoon.