FB tightens noose on misinformation in Sri Lanka

Facebook has tightened the noose on misinformation in Sri Lanka which includes bringing on dedicated Sri Lankan policy and programs managers to engage with local stakeholders, Daily Mirror learns.

Wanted Inspector of Police surrenders

IP W.K. Saman Wasantha Kumara attached to the Police Narcotic Bureau, who was wanted by the CID over alleged involvement in drug trafficking, has surrendered to the Kadawatha Police a short while ago, police said.

Interim order stays Ravi’s arrest

Court of Appeal issued an interim order staying the operation of arrest warrants issued by Colombo Fort Magistrate against former Minister Ravi Karunanayake and six others in connection with alleged second bonds scam in 2016.

Angoda Lokka’s accomplice ‘Beba’ arrested over organized crimes

Krishan Nilanga Dabare alias ’ Beba’, a close associate of underworld figures ’Angoda Lokka’ and ’Athurugiriya Ladiya’ had been arrested by the STF while in possession of heroin in Athurugiriya last night.

CID seeks public help to locate an IP over drug trafficking charges

The CID today released a picture of IP W.K. Saman Wasantha Kumara (49) who was attached to the Police Narcotic Bureau, seeking public assistance to locate and arrest him over alleged drug trafficking offenses.

Welikada inmate tests positive for Covid-19

An inmate at the Welikada prison has tested positive for Covid-19, the government Information Department said quoting Director General of Health Services Anil Jasingha said.

Teenagers jump into Mahaweli River

A teenage couple aged 16 and 17 have taken their lives by jumping into the Mahaweli River this morning. Police said the victims had jumped to the river from a bridge near the Wattegama Railway Crossing.

’Who is the real cat’s paw of communalistic political parties?’

One should go in front of the mirror and find out as to who is really the cat’s paw of communalistic political parties, SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

India remains interested in developing ECT

India remains interested in taking stake in a joint venture to develop the East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port in conformity with the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) which was signed among the three governments of Sri Lanka, Japan and India on May 28, 2019 under the previous government, the Daily Mirror learns.

Security to remain heightened in places of worship, public places

Security will continue to be heightened in churches and places where public gather including in Kataragama, Kandy and other places of worship following advice by the intelligence, Police Spokesperson SSP Jaliya Senaratne told the Daily Mirror last evening.

PC polls before end of this year: GL

The Provincial Council (PC) Elections which has been delayed for several years will be held before the end of this year, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, Prof. G.L.Peiris said.

Five arrested for harassing Russian girl at Galle Face

Five suspects were taken into police custody for allegedly harassing a Russian girl at Galle Face Green, Colombo on Sunday night, Fort Police said.

No one in camp heard Kattankudy bicycle bomb blast: ex-CID OIC

There was an Army Camp near the area where a bicycle bomb exploded before Easter Sunday attacks in Kattankudy but no one in the camp had heard the blast, former Criminal Investigation Division OIC of the Kattankudy Police, M.P.M. Mohammed Jesuli informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks today.

Group of SJB members will join UNP after polls: Akila

A group of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidates will join the UNP after the conclusion of the general elections, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Retired female teacher donates Rs.200,000 to COVID Fund

M.A.H.P. Marasinghe, an 84-year old retired female teacher, had handed over Rs. 200,000 as a contribution to COVID Fund to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was in Puttalam today.

Weddings can now host upto 300 persons

The Health Ministry said today that guests at a wedding should be limited to 50 per cent of the seating capacity of the size of the reception hall or up to a maximum of 300 persons. Earlier, only 100 persons were allowed at a wedding.

New Parliament must comply with COVID-19 guidelines: Dr. Jasinghe

Parliament heads and Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe today discussed measures to be taken when the Parliament sits post general elections where Dr. Jasinghe highlighted the need to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

General Elections: Voting hours extended

The voting hours of the upcoming Parliamentary Election has been extended by one hour until 5pm on August 5, the Elections Commission said. Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya in a statement said closing of the poll scheduled from 7 am to 4 pm has been extended until 5 pm.

Oral submissions in contempt case against Ranjan resumes

Supreme Court today resumed oral submissions in the first contempt of court case filed against former State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake for allegedly making insulting remarks on the reputation of the judiciary.

Indian Coast Guard rescues six SL fishermen from rough seas

Six Sri Lankan fishermen were rescued from rough seas on Sunday morning in a coordinated operation between Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and merchant vessel MV YM Summit.

CBSL extends suspension on PTL

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying out business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a period of six months with effect from July 05, 2020.

Five persons allowed to send-off passengers at BIA lobby from today

Five persons would be allowed to accompany one passenger at the Departure Terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport, Airport and Aviation Services Limited (AASL) Chairman Maj. Gen. (Rtd) G. A. Chandrasiri said.

Kusal Mendis released on bail

Cricketer Kusal Mendis, who was arrested over a fatal accident, was released on bail by Panadura magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya today.

230 Lankan expatriates returned from Ethiopia

A SriLankan flight carrying 230 Sri Lankan expatriates who were employed in several countries in the African continent returned to the country from Ethiopia this morning.

EC to restrict number of ballots counted in each room

The Election Commission has decided to halve the number of votes to be counted at a single counting room, an official said yesterday.

Sri Lanka among countries unsafe for travel

A day after Britain failed to include Sri Lanka in a list of countries from where visitors will not be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine, the British Foreign Office lifted a global travel advice on a number of countries except Sri Lanka and other countries seen as unsafe because of the coronavirus.

EC clarifies procedures to assist voters with disabilities

The Election Commission has issued the legal provisions regarding electors with disability to be accompanied by a person to assist in marking the ballot paper at the polling station.

President calls for full report on shortcomings in Polonnaruwa schools

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who was in Polonnaruwa yesterday called for a full report on shortcomings in Polonnaruwa schools.

Seafarer from Jinthupitiya tested negative for Covid-19

The seafarer from Jinthupitiya, Colombo 13, who had tested positive for Covid-19 few days ago, has been discharged from the hospital as five repeated PCR tests become negative, Health Services Director-General Dr Anil Jasinghe said.

SJB a cat’s paw of communal political parties-PM

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today requested all voters to give them an overwhelming mandate exceeding even that of the presidential election of 2019, in order to put an end to narrow minded communalism in the politics of this country.