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.

Major US Twitter accounts hacked in Bitcoin scam

Billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates are among many prominent US figures targeted by hackers on Twitter in an apparent Bitcoin scam.

Gazette on health guidelines for polls within two days - Pavitra

Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi today said that health guidelines pertaining to the General Elections would be Gazetted within the next two days after receiving the necessary advice from the Attorney General and the Legal Draftsman.

130,000 PCR tests performed so far: Dr. Jasinghe

Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said more than 130,000 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests have been performed so far to identify COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka .

Senior Medical Specialists suspect Covid-19 community transmission begun

Senior Medical Specialists yesterday warned that if the current spread of COVID-19 is ignored Sri Lankan could end up becoming another Brazil or India.

Special mobile polling centres to facilitate those on self-quarantine

While claiming that people at quarantine centres or on self-quarantine would not be allowed to vote at normal polling station, the Elections Commission (EC) said yesterday it was considering the possibility of establishing mobile polling centres or special polling centres to facilitate such people to exercise their votes.

Maldives reopens for tourists after over 3 months of lockdown

Maldives on Wednesday announced the reopening of its borders for tourists amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, and said the country is a safe destination.

Brazil President tests postive for COVID-19 again: Report

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro tested positive for coronavirus again, CNN Brazil said on Wednesday, quoting the far right leader, who underwent a new test on Tuesday.

Maithripala’s participation in MCC on National Security rare

Although former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the sessions of the Ministerial Consultative Committee (MCC) on National Security as defense ministers during their tenure, the ’Yahapalana’ government’s president Maithripala Sirisena participation in those sessions were on limited occasions, Director of Legislative Services of the Parliament Jagath Ruwan Kumara Gajaweera, yesterday informed the PCoI pro

Patients with burn injuries at CNH up again after COVID-19

Colombo National Hospital’s (CNH) Burns and Reconstructive Surgical Unit, which was empty during the COVID-19 pandemic, has filled with patients again, the Head of the Surgical Unit Consultant Surgeon Dr. Dulip Perera said.

Stop mudslinging: President tells SLFP-SLPP members

Verbal clash between certain members of the SLPP and the SLFP in many parts of the country, particularly in Gampaha, Polonnaruwa and Matara Districts has come under heavy criticism by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the cabinet meeting yesterday, a senior Minister said.

Another prolonged lockdown will kill our economy: Ranil

Whist stating that another prolonged lockdown will kill Sri Lanka’s economy, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed that political parties, health experts and other bodies discuss the Public Health Emergency Bill proposed by some opposition parties and enact as soon as new Parliament meet.

No third contact patient reported from Kandakadu cluster: DIG

Health authorities or Intelligence Services had not received any information that a third contact of the COVID-19 infected patients of the Kandakadu cluster had contracted the virus, DIG Ajith Rohana said today.

Eight more COVID-19 cases reported so far today

Eight more persons tested positive for COVID-19 as at 7.30 pm today increasing the total number of cases to 2,671, the Health Ministry said.

AMS urges govt. to ban public gathering and re-impose restrictions

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) of Sri Lanka today urged the government to ban public gatherings, including political rallies, tuition classes, review and re-adjust the time table of school reopening and re-impose restrictions for public transport etc.

Hirunika denies she was sidelined by Janani Premadasa

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Hirunika Premachandra today said she has no confrontation whatsoever with Janani Premadasa, the wife of SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Kandakadu cluster: 3,000 people in 16 districts under quarantine

At least 3,000 people in 16 districts had been sent for quarantine as a result of the Kandakadu cluster, Public Health Inspectors Union President Upul Rohana said today.

Shani files FR petition seeking reinstatement

Former CID Director Shani Abeysekara, who was interdicted, today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order that he be restored to the position of Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka Police.

February electricity bill to match with March, April and May

The Cabinet has approved the payment of the electricity tariff indicated in the February bill in March, April and May as well.

177 Sri Lankans stranded in Maldives return

A special SriLankan Airlines flight carrying 177 Sri Lankans stranded in Maldives due to COVID-19 pandemic, arrived in Sri Lanka this evening.

Not necessary to impose curfew: Health DG

It is not necessary to impose a lock-down in the country in a situation where the COVID-19 is not widespread, Director General of Health Services, Dr Anil Jasinghe today.

Tipper driver remanded for running over Police officers

The tipper truck driver who was arrested for running over Police officers in Hakmana, had been remanded till July 23 on charges of murder, attempted murder, causing severe injuries to officers on duty and reckless driving, the Police said.

COVID-19 recoveries exceed 2,000

The toll of COVID-19 recoveries in the country surpassed 2,000 today with the latest 13 patients who were discharged from hospitals, the Epidemiology Unit said.