Dinesh and Ranil discuss SL-UK investment ties

Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Britain’s International Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena have discussed stepping up bilateral trade and investment and expanding the areas of cooperation, during a teleconference on Thursday.

Army, SIS tracking down those coming in contact with escaped COVID-19 patient

The Army and the State Intelligence Service have launched a mega operation to track down all those who came in contact with the COVID-19 patient who escaped from the National Infectious Disease Hospital last morning, to prevent a transmission into society, while a separate investigation was launched to find out how he managed to escape, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror.

President considers amending Antiquities Ordinance

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has paid his attention to amend the Antiquities Ordinance in order to strengthen the preservation of antiquities and historical national heritage.

Don’t give terrorists an ethnic or religious label: Ranil

Terrorists should be treated as terrorists no matter what ethnic or religious group they belong to, while extremism should also not be tolerated, former premier and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

India agrees for $400 million currency swap with Sri Lanka

India and Sri Lanka on Friday agreed for US $400 million currency swap agreement. The agreement signed by Reserve Bank of India extends the swap facility for Sri Lanka till November 2022.

14-year-old dies under suspicious circumstances

Kalutara North Police today informed the Kalutara Magistrate’s Court regarding the mysterious death of a 14-year-old child inside an open Almirah in a house.

COVID-19 Fund allocates Rs.36mn to conduct PCR tests

The COVID-19 Health and Social Security Fund has allocated Rs.36 million, or Rs. 36,605,812 to be exact, to the Health and Indigenous Medical Services Ministry to carry out essential PCR tests, the President’s Media Division today said.

No decision yet on 4th Coal Power Plant: Amaraweera

Power, Energy and Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today the government is yet to take a final decision on constructing a fourth coal power plant at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant (LCPP) in Puttalam.

150,000 PCR tests conducted so far: Health Minister

A total of 150,000 PCR tests have been carried out as of today to identify COVID-19 infected persons in the country, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

2020 O/L: Private candidates should only apply online

The private candidates, who are sitting for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination 2020 should apply only online, the Department of Examinations said.

PHIs’ strike continues

The Public Health Inspectors Union has decided to continue their trade union action as there was no positive response from the Ministry of Health over their demands as of today.

Protesters say MR has insulted all women

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), which staged a protest against the recent remark made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on its Leader Sajith Premadasa and his wife not bearing children, said today this was an insult to all couples unable to bear children.

IPL set to start on September 19 in UAE

Indian Premier League (IPL) will start on September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the final slated on November 8, the Hindustan Times reported quoting PTI on Thursday.

EC assures COVID-19 will not spread from polling centres

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday assured that COVID-19 virus would not be spread through polling centres during the upcoming general election.

Escaped COVID-19 patient located

A COVID-19 infected patient who ran away from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Mulleriyawa early today, was located near the National Hospital, Colombo by two of its staff members a few hours later and was taken back to the IDH safely, Police said.

Several army teams to locate escaped COVID-19 patient

Several army teams including army intelligence services have been deployed to locate the COVID-19 infected patient who had escaped from the IDH this morning, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Two killed, three injured in accident

A married couple was killed and three others including two children were injured after the car they were traveling in crashed into a lamp post opposite the Yakkala fair on the Yakkala-Kiridiwela Road last night, Police said.

Covid-19 patient escaped from IDH

Police seek public help to trace a Covid-19 patient who escaped from the IDH during treatment this morning, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne said.

CID had used Mohideen, Anzar as informants prior to the attacks: Witness

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had used Army Mohideen and Zahran’s brother-in-law Anzar as informants before the attacks without arresting them, retired IP attached to the CID Dias Padmasiri who conducted investigation into discovering Zahran’s extremists practices, yesterday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Suicide bomber’s widow provided information to Indian intelligence agency: Witness

State Intelligence Service (SIS) is closely monitoring into the fact that the early information about the Easter attacks was provided by Sarah Jesmine, widow of Katuwapitiya Church suicide bomber, to the Indian intelligence agency, an SIS officer on Wednesday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

No permit required to tap Kithul toddy: Police

The Acting IGP has informed all police stations not to take legal action against those who tap Kithul toddy as no permit is required to do so.

Decide if you will destroy UNP or not: RW to traditional UNPers

Those who traditionally voted for the UNP should decide whether they are going to destroy the party or not at this election, UNP Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

New SLPP Govt. will focus on burning issues: Minister

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has told the final Cabinet meeting of the SLPP Government held on Wednesday that he would give the priority in the new SLPP government to resolve burning issues of the most vulnerable sections of the country as he had been able to have first-hand information on their grievances during the election campaign.

EU updates list of countries allowed entry: SL not included

The European Union (EU) has updated the list of countries for which its member states should gradually lift travel restrictions at the external borders, but Sri Lanka has not yet been included in the list.

House scrutinised for new Parliament

A group of health officials representing the Ministry of Health has stressed the need to protect the new MPs who would be elected to the new Parliament, its visitors and staff members from the COVID-19 virus.

EC wants dereliction of poll duty to be made an offence

The Elections Commission said it had proposed to include the dereliction of poll duty without valid reasons as an offence punishable under the Establishment Code.

Archaeology Dept. is politicised now: Ruwan

The demolition of the assembly hall of King Buwaneka Bahu II is a clear sign that the Archaeology Department is politicised under the present regime, UNP Deputy General Secretary Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Govt. pushes for action against perpetrators: Minister

The Police must not have any hesitation to arrest and produce to court those responsible for the alleged archaeological destruction at Kurunegala and the government would not obstruct the law taking its course on the crime, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Order issued preventing Kurunegala Mayor, councillors entering Buwaneka Hotel site

The Attorney General obtained a prevention order from Kurunegala Magistrate prohibiting the Municipal Council staff and their representatives from entering the Buwaneka Hotel site pending investigations, AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said today.

Australian minister slams SL asylum seeker family for ’wasting $10m of taxpayer money’

Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has told a Sri Lankan family fighting deportation from Australia to give up and go home.