Licences required for transportation of sand: CA orders acting IGP

The Court of Appeal today issued an order directing the Acting IGP to implement the law requiring licences for the transportation of sand, soil and clay, as before.

Water cuts in Colombo & suburbs on Saturday

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced 10-hour and 16-hour water cuts in Colombo Municipality and Kotte suburbs respectively on Saturday.

Revision application by Senadhipathi reserved for order

A revision application filed by Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi and Rtd. Major General Palitha Fernando seeking an Interim Order staying the Colombo High Court’s proceedings pertaining to Avant Garde bribery case was today reserved for order.

41 Homagama police personnel sent to quarantine

At least 41 police personnel attached to the Homagama Police have been sent to quarantine after a female police sergeant attached to the ASP office of the Homagama Police Division tested positive for COVID-19.

AG approves ‘selected’ COVID-19 regulations

Covid-19 Regulations (General Elections 2020) submitted by the Health Ministry Secretary pertaining only to election meetings, canvassing and election offices were approved by the Attorney General, AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said.

PHIs withdraw from COVID-19 duties over Minister’s negative comment

The Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) said its members have withdrawn from Covid-19 prevention duties with effect from 12.30 pm today.

Close associate of ‘Uru Juwa’ arrested in Mulleriyawa

A close associate of underworld figure ‘Uru Juwa’ was arrested with six grammes of heroin in Mulleriyawa last night, Police said.

Deadline for re-scrutiny of 2019 GCE O/L results extended

The deadline for calling applications for re-scrutiny of 2019 GCE O/L answer scripts has been extended until July 31, Commissioner General of Examinations said.

SL joins int’l community in calling Israel to abandon planned annexation

Sri Lanka joined the international community in its call on the Israel Government to comply with international law and abandon the planned annexation and urges all parties to continue the dialogue towards peace.

People who visited inmates at Kandakadu test negative for COVID-19

A total of 114 people, who had visited the inmates at the Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre and their family members, have tested negative for COVID-19, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

Govt. higher-ups ordered to provide MSD security for Jeevan: MSD Director

The Director of Ministerial Security Division (MSD) SSP W. Thilakarathne yesterday told the Daily Mirror that the late politician Arumugam Thondaman’s son Jeevan Thondaman had been given MSD security following orders, they received, from government higher-ups.

Sirisena’s Govt. awarded Senior Police officers for investigating attacks: Witness

Through third party sources it was informed that former President Maithripala Sirisena’s government had given Presidential awards to Senior Police officers including the then SIS Director for their involvement on investigating Easter Sunday attacks, former Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) Director DIG Nalaka de Silva yesterday informed PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks.

Lack of contingency plan exposed during attacks: Ex-TID Chief

Former TID Chief DIG Nalaka de Silva yesterday said the Easter Sunday attacks revealed the lack of a contingency plan and policy to face emergence situations.

India to give debt moratorium for Sri Lanka?

India is currently in discussion with the Sri Lankan authorities to grant a debt moratorium for Sri Lanka as requested by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Daily Mirror learns.

No need to panic: PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that there was no need to get unnecessarily scared or panic about the spread of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka as things were under control.

COVID-19 kills seven more Lankan migrant workers

Seven more Sri Lankan migrant workers in Middle Eastern countries have died due to COVID-19 within last week increasing the death toll to 42, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) told the Daily Mirror today.

Key suspect in Thajudeen’s murder case passes away

A key suspect in the Wasim Thajudeen murder case, Ex- Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo, Prof. Ananda Samarasekara had passed away, the Attorney General’s Department informed the Colombo Additional Magistrate today.

UNP manifesto focuses on Japan-like economy revival plan: RW

Whilst stating that Sri Lanka is slated to lose one million jobs and foreign revenue worth USD 7 billion this year, former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today said manifesto of his party has focused on this issue.

Ja-Ela Police OIC transferred for violating election laws

The OIC of the Ja-Ela Police has been transferred by the National Police Commission (NPC) on a request made by the Elections Commission.

Vehicles no longer permitted to park on pavements

A special operation will be launched from tomorrow (17) to identify vehicles for illegal parking as well as for parking on pavements, DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Jasinghe clears the air on stopping PCR tests at J’pura

Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe today cleared the air surrounding the stopping of PCR tests done by the lab at Sri Jayewardenepura University stating that it was done in agreement with the university authorities after several discussions with them due to some false positives that had come from it.

Phones, SIM cards in 27 parcels found in Colombo Remand Prison

At least 27 parcels containing mobile phones, chargers, SIM cards, batteries and cigarettes etc, which had been thrown over the wall into the Welikada Female Section from the Colombo Remand Prison (CRP), were found by the prison officers, Prisons Commissioner and spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said.

Prez decided to award highway constructions only to local contractors: PM

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to award contracts to construct expressways only to Sri Lankan contractors in a bid to strengthen the local construction industry, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today said.

Sajith pledges to enhance lives of estate workers

SJB leader Sajith Premadasa has pledged to give an opportunity to estate workers to become owners of small tea holdings as the Prime Minister of a future Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) government.

Nine Senior Police officers appointed as hostage negotiators

Nine senior Police officers have been appointed as hostage negotiators, the first of such an initiative in Sri Lanka, in keeping with international aviation obligations as a part of crisis management during a possible aircraft hi-jacking or a hostage situation.

Feasibility studies to be conducted on ten Hi - Tech universities

The Asian Development Bank has given its consent for assistance required for performing feasibility studies applicable to establish ten High Tech Universities at ten districts.

Angulana shooting: Residents clash with Police

Police fired tear gas to disperse a group of residents who acted violently at the Angulana Police station and pelted stones in protest of the recent death of a fisherman.

Kandakadu situation under control, says Army Chief

While saying Covid-19 situation at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre had been brought under control, Army Commander Shavendra Silva stressed the need to wear face masks when going outdoors.

Jaffna medical students missing in forest found

Nine medical students of the Jaffna University, who went missing in Muththiyankattu Forest Reserve in Pudukuduirippu, have been found today, Police said.

Payment of private sector employees’ salary: Agreement extended till September

The Cabinet has decided to extend the agreement reached between government and private sector employers to ensure payment of Rs. 14.500 or 50 per cent of the basic salary of private sector employees until September.