NPP urges Govt. to refrain from selling Eastern Terminal to India

While claiming that the government was delaying to install the three gantry cranes at the Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port, as a part of the plan to sell it to India, the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) today urged the government to stop such moves.

SL returnee from India test positive during quarantine at home

A Sri Lankan man arrived from India was diagnosed as a Covid-19 patient today at a PCR test conducted while he was in self-quarantine at his home in Jinthupitiya, the Government said in a statement.

Govt. to make final decision on MCC next week: Bandula

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said the government would take a final decision of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact next week after Ministers submitted their personal views on the MCC to the cabinet next Wednesday.

Harin invites Namal to create new culture in new Parliament

Former Sports Minister Harin Fernando today invited former UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa for a joint struggle to create machinery and a culture in the new Parliament where MPs of different parties could work together when they hold the same ideology on certain issues.

I fielded my brother as I’m reluctant to engage in politics: Murali

Former national cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan said that due to his reluctance to engage in politics, he directed his brother towards politics and social service, following a request from the President.

Sanga says truth will come out

The Sport Ministry’s Special Investigation Division today recorded a statement for over a nine-hours from former skipper of the Sri Lanka Cricket team Kumar Sangakkara over match-fixing allegations. Sangakkara said he believed that after the investigations are completed, everyone would be able to know the truth of match fixing claims made by Mahindananda Aluthgamage.

SL urges UNHRC to focus on deliverable reconciliation measures

Responding to views expressed by the UNHRC’s Core Group on Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Government today urged all parties to appreciate the country’s approach of focusing on deliverable measures of reconciliation and to recognise the ground realities.

Court orders to detain 12 PNB officers over drug trafficking

Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratna today permitted the CID to detain and question 12 officers attached to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB), who were arrested for alleged drug trafficking, till July 8.

Port Trade Unions call off strike

The Trade Unions attached to the Colombo Port had suspended their strike a short while ago following the assurance given by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa for a meeting.

World Bank downgrades Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has been downgraded by the World Bank to a lower middle income country from an upper middle income one in their latest country classification by income levels released on July 1.

SJB files appeal against District Court order

The petition filed by Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) in the Civil Appellate High Court challenging the Colombo District Court order to refuse issuing an enjoining order regarding the United National Party’s (UNP) decision to suspend the memberships of 99 party members, is to be heard on July 06.

MRI gets fully automated PCR machine to detect COVID-19

The International Rotary Club has donated a fully automated PCR machine to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) of Sri Lanka to expedite the diagnosis process of COVID-19, the President’s Media Division said.

Cabinet approval to construct Ruwanpura Expressway with local funds

The Cabinet approval was granted to construct the Ruwanpura Expressway linking the southern Expressway from Kahathuduwa - lngiriya- Rathnapura to Pelmadulla with local funds.

Cop missing after being snatched away by crocodile

A police constable was reported missing after he was snatched away by a crocodile in the Nilwala River this morning, police said.

Four member committee to look into electricity bills: Minister

A four-member committee had been appointed to look into making payment of electricity bills for March, April and May during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and to submit recommendations to provide concessions to the public, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.`

Port Trade Unions launch strike

Trade Unions attached to Colombo Port today launched a strike with immediate effect over an issue with the Eastern Container Terminal of the Port.

Myanmar jade mine landslide kills more than 100

At least 113 bodies have been found after a landslide at a jade mining site in northern Myanmar, officials say.

79 more Covid-19 patients recover

A total 79 more Covid-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital increasing total recovered cases to 1,827, the Health Ministry.

Russia reforms: Putin strongly backed by voters, partial results

Russians have strongly supported constitutional reforms that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036, preliminary results indicate.

Summoning cricketers to CID brings disgrace to country: Namal

Summoning cricketers to the CID without any preliminary investigation conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC), could bring unnecessary disgrace to the country, former MP Namal Rajapaksa tweeted.

12 more narcotics officers arrested

Twelve more officers including an Inspector of Police, a Sub Inspector attached to the Police Narcotics Unit were arrested by the CID for selling a consignment of drugs to a drug dealer, police sources said.

Two accomplices of ‘Barrel Sanka’ arrested

Two accomplices of underworld figure ‘Barrel Sanka’ were arrested in Peliyagoda for possessing heroin, police said.

KDUH running an incinerator with no licence: CEA

Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital (KDUH) in Boralesgamuwa has been maintaining an incinerator unit with no Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) or Schedule Waste Management Licence (SWML), an investigation by ’Daily Mirror Eye’ has found.

Sanga arrives at special probe unit to give statement

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara arrived at the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) on sports-related corruption, attached to the Ministry of Sports, to give a statement over match fixing allegations made by former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage

91 Sri Lankans stranded in three countries return to SL

Four special SriLankan Airlines aircraft carrying 91 Sri Lankans stranded in three countries due to COVID-19, landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake this morning, Airport Duty Manager said.

President orders not to use his photographs in election campaign

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered not to use his photographs by candidates contesting the upcoming election in their propaganda campaign, the President’s Media Division said.

SL seeks to diversify exports to U.S.

The government has sought to diversify its exports to the United States, informed sources said.

’’IDB supplied Brass, Copper to suicide bomber’s company’’

Industrial Development Board (IDB) supplied Brass and Copper to ’Colossus’, a company owned by Easter Sunday suicide bomber Insaf Ahmad Ibrahim during the period between 2017 and 2019, although the company had failed to operate within the given criteria, Sarath Udayasiri, Marketing Director of IDB informed the PCoI probing Easter Sunday attacks today.

Get ready for a second wave: Ranil

Sri Lanka should be prepared to face a possible second wave of COVID-19 pandemic without delay, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Man arrested with ‘ice’ in Jaffna

An individual was arrested by the STF personnel with nearly two kilos of ice or methamphetamine at Point Pedro in Jaffna this morning, Police said.