Landslide warning issued for five districts

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued landslide warnings for Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Kegalle districts due to the prevailing rainy weather conditions.

E01: Pinnaduwa, Imaduwa section closed

The section between Pinnaduwa and Imaduwa of the Southern Expressway towards Colombo has been temporarily closed due to an earth mound collapsed on the road, Police said.

Cardinal tells candidates, don’t use my picture

Alleging that some candidates contesting for the general election are using his pictures on leaflets and advertisements without his permission, Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has urged them not to use his picture in propaganda material without his permission.

Soldier killed, two injured in head-on collision

One soldier was killed and two others injured when an army cab collided head-on with a private bus at the Nugegoda flyover this morning, police said.

OICs given one month to process details of 13 wanted underworld activists: SDIG

The Police Department has given a month’s period for all the countrywide station OICs to process details of 13 most wanted underworld activists, who are presently finding refuge in foreign countries and to bring them down in due course by issuing red notices through Interpol.

Warning letter should have been given priority at intelligence reviews: fmr IGP Illangakoon

After receiving the warning letter on April 9, 2019, about the possible terror attack, that particular letter should be the priority of all intelligence reviews and Security Council meetings during that time, former IGP N. K. Illangakoon on Friday informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday Attacks.

New South Wales appoints Hathurusingha as batting coach

Former Sri Lanka and Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha has been appointed as senior assistant and batting coach of New South Wales, having previously served as assistant coach between 2010 and 2014.

EC to meet health and police experts

The Election Commission will have a special meeting tomorrow (20) with the health experts and the police to discuss modalities for the arrangement of voting facilities for those at quarantine centres or under self-quarantine, an official said.

Talks underway between SL and China for a currency swap agreement

Negotiations are underway between Sri Lanka and China for a currency swap agreement, a spokesperson said yesterday.

SLCPI clarifies on cancellation notices to five pharmaceutical companies

With reference to the Daily Mirror online article titled ‘NMRA issues cancellation notices to five pharmaceutical companies,’ the Sri Lanka Chamber of the Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) has sent the following statement.

Mobile brothel raided in Mount Lavinia

Three persons including two female sex workers were arrested along with a car for operating a mobile brothel in Mount Lavinia this morning, police said.

3,871 election law violation cases reported so far

The Election Commission said that it has received a total of 3,871 complaints of election law violation pertaining to the upcoming General Election as of yesterday evening.

No increase in bus fares: Minister

The Minister of Passenger Transport Management Mahinda Amaraweera said today that the increase in bus fares will not be allowed at all.

Police opens fire at a hijacked car, two arrested

The Police have opened fire at a car which was hijacked from Colombo after it was traveling in the Giriulla area defying Police orders.

COVID-19: WHO reports record single-day global increase in cases

The number of new cases of coronavirus rose by almost 260,000 in 24 hours - the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday.

Covid-19 Infected Army officer’s house burgled as his family quarantined

The house of Covid-19 infected Army Officer Adviser at Thalawathura in Daulagala who was attached to the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre had been burgled while his family members were at a quarantine centre.

Pakistan to relocate lonely Sri Lankan elephant Kaavan to Cambodia

A Pakistani court approved the relocation of a lonely and mistreated elephant to Cambodia on Saturday after the pachyderm became the subject of a high-profile rights campaign backed by music star Cher.

3,000 warned for failing to wear face masks and maintain social distancing

More than 3,000 people in the Western Province have been warned for not wearing face masks and failing to maintain social distancing in public places within the last 24 hours, Police said.

Fmr MP Nimal R. Peiris arrested

Former Parliamentarian and Provincial Councilor Nimal R. Peiris has been arrested by the Thalangama Police over misappropriation of postal charges valued at Rs. 113,460, police said.

SIS not bound to provide intelligence to police: Ex-IGP

State Intelligence Service (SIS) comes under the Defence Ministry and is not bound to provide intelligence to the Police, former IGP N.K. Illangakoon yesterday informed the PCoI on the Easter Sunday attacks.

School holiday extended

The ongoing interim school holiday has been extended by another week and the schools will be reopened for Grade 11, 12 and 13 students on July 27, the Education Ministry said today.

NMRA issues cancellation notices to five pharmaceutical companies

The NMRA yesterday issued notices of cancellation of registrations and import licenses to five pharmaceutical companies including Hemas Pharmaceuticals and A. Baur (Pvt) Ltd for arbitrarily and unilaterally increasing the retail prices of 10 medicines.

Health Guidelines - Mixed reactions by political parties

Political parties, which met the Election Commission Chairman yesterday have expressed mixed reactions to the health guidelines stipulated during the general election to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and on the media coverage given to the polls.

PCR tests in Colombo postponed

The PCR testing programme which was to be conducted in Colombo North has been postponed because of a work stoppage by the public health officers (PHIs), Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni said yesterday.

COVID-19 - Infected migrant workers thrice the domestic figure

Some 1,700 COVID-19 infected Sri Lankan migrant workers are currently receiving home-based and hospital-based treatment in 17 countries and is almost thrice the number of domestic patients, which as of yesterday stood at 664.

Current challenges ten times greater due to COVID-19: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said the current challenges faced by the country was 10 times greater because of the COVID-19 pandemic than when compared with the challenges he encountered when taking over the administration.

Govt. minister in moves to demolish 13th century assembly hall

Former megapolis Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday alleged that a government higher-up was involved in demolishing the 13th-century assembly hall used by King Buwenekabahu II in Kurunegala while the mayor of the area was being blamed for it.

Malaka Silva poses death threats to friend

The Thalangama Police today reported facts to the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court with regard to a complaint filed against Mervin Silva’s son Malaka Silva by one of his friends over death threats, OIC Chief Inspector Nalinda Dilruk said.

Health guidelines for General Election gazetted

The Extraordinary Gazette notification with health guidelines for the upcoming General Election was issued a short while ago, the Government Printing Department said.

Rishad files FR petition seeking order not to arrest him

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an interim order preventing CID from arresting him in connection with Easter Sunday attack.