Producing inmates at courts suspended

Producing prison inmates in courts has been temporarily suspended and their legal proceedings would be carried out through video technology, the Prisons Department said.

Melsta Hospitals Ragama closed after GM tests positive for COVID-19

Melsta Hospitals Ragama has been closed after its General Manager (GM), who had conducted lectures at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, was tested positive for COVID-19, police said.

Two Homagama Army officers test positive for Covid-19, seven families quarantined

At least 30 persons belonging to seven families in Homagama have been sent for self quarantine after two Army officers from the area who are serving at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre tested positive for Covid-19, Homagama MOH office said.

Witnesses record statements over sale of seized drugs

Four independent witnesses today recorded statements over the sale of drugs seized in raids by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) Officers. The statements were provided behind closed doors at the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Tipper truck runs over police officers, killing cop and injuring two others

Three police officers who were on duty at a roadblock on the Matara-Hakmana road were run over by a tipper truck, killing a police constable.

Inmate admitted for PCR test falls to death at the Hospital

An inmate who was admitted to the Negombo Hospital for a PCR test on Covid-19 has died after falling from the eighth floor of the hospital, the Police said.

No COVID-19 positive patients found in Colombo, outskirts

There have been no isolated cases of COVID-19 patients found in Colombo or its outskirts and all associates linked to the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center inmates and its employees have been traced while further monitoring is continuing, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe told Daily Mirror last evening.

285 Lankans arrived from Jordan

A total of 285 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Jordan arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning. They arrived in Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL 1506 from Amman Airport (AMM).

Govt. hides true COVID-19 situation: NPP

The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said yesterday the government was hiding the true situation of the COPVID-19 outbreak in a move to show that the situation in the country had returned to normalcy just for political advantage.

Some use COVID-19 as scapegoat to get polls postponed: GL

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris yesterday said those who are afraid of facing the elections use the COVID-19 situation as a scapegoat to get the General Elections postponed.

Use MOH network & military intelligence to trace contacts: GMOA

Referring to the outbreak of COVID-19 cases at Kandakadu Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) on Monday requested the Government to use both the Ministry of Health (MOH) network and military intelligence to trace contacts.

Yakkala Crimes Division IP arrested while soliciting bribe of Rs.15,000

An Inspector of Police (IP) attached to the Yakkala Police Crimes Division was arrested by the Bribery Commission while soliciting a bribe of Rs.15,000 from a businessman at Bandarawatta today.

11 from Senapura Rehabilitation Centre test positive for COVID-19

The number of COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka increased to 2,642 today with 11 inmates from Senapura Rehabilitation Centre tested positive for the virus, the Government Information Department said.

Japan grants Rs.340mn to strengthen anti-narcotic activities in SL

The Japanese Government has agreed to provide Rs. 340 million to strengthen the investigation and detection capacities of drugs and related anti-narcotic activities of Sri Lanka Police, the Finance Ministry said.

Navy Chief Piyal De Silva to retire

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva is to retire on Wednesday after 36 years of service in the Sri Lanka Navy.

Kanjipani Imran files FR petition

Mohommad Najim Mohommad Imran alias Kanjipani Imran who is currently serving a six-year rigorous prison term at Boossa Prison today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court.

Kandakadu cluster: Not a wide-spread scenario- Dr. Jasinghe

While claiming that 428 Covid 19 Positive cases had been reported from Kandakadu and Senapura Rehabilitation Centres, Director General of Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe today said the spreading of the virus in the respective areas was not a wide-spread scenario.

Anura files writ petition against PCoI case

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake today filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal seeking an order staying the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing incidents of Political Victimization, from hearing a case launched based on a complaint made by Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi.

OIC of Ampara Police Transport Division arrested

The OIC of the Ampara Police Transport Division had been arrested in Ampara in connection with an investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks.

Four arrested over explosion in Jaffna

Four individuals who had exploded pieces of explosives at Ilavalai in Jaffna were arrested last night, the Police said.

Not granting leave to cast vote a punishable offense, says EC

Not granting of leave to employees to exercise their franchise at the upcoming election was an offense that could be prosecuted in the Magistrate Court and punished, the National Elections Commission said today.

A Committee reviewing Sri Lanka–Singapore FTA: AG informs SC

The Attorney General today informed the Supreme Court that a committee appointed by new Government is currently reviewing the context of the Sri Lanka–Singapore Free Trade Agreement signed by the previous government.

Two close associates of ’Angoda Lokka’ arrested in Mulleriyawa

Two close associates of underworld figure ’Angoda Lokka’ have been arrested with heroin during a raid at Udumulla in Mulleriyawa this morning.

Postal voting begins

Postal voting for the Medical Officers of Health (MOH) was held today while postal voting for all government institutions except for District Secretariat, Election Commission and Defense sector would be held tomorrow and the day after.

EC closely observes situation

The Election Commission is closely monitoring the situation after the discovery of a fresh bout of COVID-19 patients in the country, an official said yesterday.

CID investigates STF

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a special investigation into allegations that several Special Task Force (STF) officers were closely associating with narcotics officers arrested in connection with the sale of heroin to drug traffickers, informed sources said.

Increase island-wide PCR tests to 5,000 per day: GMOA

In the wake of new Covid-19 cases being reported from the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) reiterated the health authorities to increase the number of PCR tests in the country.

Danger of Covid-19 spreading from positive case in Welikada: Epidemiology Unit

With the finding of 57 persons positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, Dr Sudath Samaraweera of the Epidemiology Unit said that this latest discovery was made while investigating the historical records of the affected person found in Welikada.

All schools to be closed from July 13 to 17

All schools in the country would be closed from Monday (13) to Friday (17) considering the prevailing situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Education Ministry said.

Education Ministry mulls over closure of schools

All education institutions including schools will have to be closed if the prevailing Covid-19 situation worsens, the Education Ministry announced today.