No decision to cancel leave for doctors: Health Ministry

Responding to media reports that the leave of medical consultants who are overseas have been cancelled, Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said the Health Ministry has not taken such a decision as yet.

Over 600,000 selected groups to receive allowances

Funds have been allocated to pay allowances for 647,683 kidney patients, the disabled and low-income earning elderly people until a new scheme is prepared, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

SL engages with WHO for benchmark to set up high quality medicinal drugs testing lab

In the absence of a proper mechanism to ensure the quality of medicinal drugs, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella discussed with the World Health Organization (WHO) over a benchmark to set up a highly standardized quality laboratory in Sri Lanka to test the quality of pharmaceuticals.

At least 27 dead following clashes between rival factions in Libya

At least 27 people were killed and 106 others injured when clashes broke out between two powerful armed factions in the southern Libyan capital of Tripoli, the country’s emergency services said in a statement Tuesday.

State Pharmaceuticals Corporation gets new Chairman

Dr. Ajith Mendis has been appointed as the new Chairman of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

54 SL expatriates stranded in Kuwait arrive in SL

A group of 54 Sri Lankan expatriate workers including 53 housemaids and a male household servant, who were staying in Kuwait illegally without visas, arrived in Sri Lanka this morning.

Bandula says Channel Eye leased out to Lyca Mobile

Minister of Mass Media Bandula Gunawardena yesterday said that Channel Eye was leased out to Lyca Mobile Group on a short-term lease agreement and refuted claims that the Cabinet Paper in this regard was rejected.

Key wheat flour suppliers accused of raking in billions in undue profits amid import ban

The local wheat flour suppliers are facing allegations of reaping substantial undue profits in billions of rupees following a government-imposed ban on unlicensed wheat flour imports, as revealed during a recent meeting of the Committee on Public Finance (COPF).

Govt. to purchase three new CT scan machines worth Rs. 750 Mn

The Government is to spend a sum of Rs 750 million to acquire three CT scan machines, Daily Mirror learns.

SL to set up separate dept. for cinnamon development

Sri Lanka will soon establish a Department for Cinnamon Development to exclusively facilitate cinnamon cultivation, production and exports.

China’s Sinopec to begin operations on September 2

Chinese oil major Sinopec expects to start operations in Sri Lanka on Sept. 20 and will be allowed to sell fuel for less than....

Titans beat Strikers, oust Kandy for second place

Galle Titans recorded a convincing eight-wicket win over Colombo Strikers in the final match of the group stage of the Lanka Premier League at the R. Premadasa Stadium today, which secured them second spot in the points table.

IMF first review from Sept.14 to 27

The first review of Sri Lanka’s US $ 3 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be held between September 14 and 27.

Falling tree kills Chief Security Officer of Dehiwala Zoo

The Chief Security Officer of the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens died this afternoon after a falling tree hit a power cable post which had in turn fallen on him, the Dehiwala police said.

Shooting in Kudawella leaves one dead

A 35-year-old man was shot dead at Kudawella in Tangalle a short while ago, Police said.

Water in Samanalawewa sufficient for three days’ power generation

The water capacity in the Samanalawewa reservoir is sufficient for a maximum of two days of hydropower generation if made with the maximum capacity, an engineer attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Some SJBers ready to extend conditional support to Ranil

Some SJB MPs are of the opinion that they should support President Ranil Wickremesinghe at a future Presidential Election on the condition that he appoints Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa as the Prime Minister if he emerges victorious.

Alles complains to CID against Duminda Nagamuwa

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles today lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against Frontline Socialist Party activist Duminda Nagamuwa, who had made a statement involving the JVP and Minister Alles.

Customs seize Rs.10Mn worth Hashish in dog food cans

Sri Lanka Customs today seized a stock of Hashish worth over Rs.10 million at the Central Mail Exchange (CME), which had come as dog food inside a parcel sent from Canada.

President recommends new name for Welfare Benefit Board Chairmanship

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recommended to the Constitutional Council that Jayantha Wijerathne be appointed as the Chairman of the Welfare Benefit Board, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Welfare Benefits Board Chairman resigns

The Chairman of the Welfare Benefits Board B. Wijayaratne has resigned from his position.

Harin, Manusha go before Supreme Court against SJB

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando and Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkkara have filed expulsion petitions before the Supreme Court challenging the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for expelling their party memberships.

Agreement between BoI, Hambantota Oil Refinery cancelled

The government has cancelled the agreement between the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Hambantota Oil Refinery (Pvt.) Ltd., said Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardana.

Govt loses Rs. 73 million in failed radar project

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) disclosed that the government had incurred a loss of Rs. 78 million due to a failed project in the construction of a radar system in the Gongala area with the support of the World Meteorological Organization, a statement from the Parliamentary media unit said.

New Covid vaccines are on the way as ’Eris’ variant rises

A new COVID vaccine is due out next month, but health experts and analysts say it is likely to be coolly received even as hospitalizations from ’’Eris’’, a variant of the Omicron form of the coronavirus, rise around the USA.

Head prefectship in school leads one contestant to mix poison water; Six students hospitalised

In a shocking incident that took place on Monday (14) at a leading primary school in the Narammala area, a competition over the head prefect position allegedly led one of the contestants to mix poison into the bottles of drinking water of five other students.

MDMK even sided with LTTE Leader Prabhakaran: Vaiko

MDMK general secretary Vaiko said that the MDMK had even sided with Tamil Eelam leader Prabhakaran in Sri Lanka and that the MDMK must act as the DMK’s sword in the battle against the BJP and other Hindutva forces.

School holiday starts on Thursday

The Education Ministry today announced the end of the first phase of the second school term and the reopening of the second phase of the second school term.

Gazette issued relaxing import restrictions on selected vehicles

A Gazette notification has been issued relaxing the import restrictions on selected vehicles used for public and cargo transport services.

Fire at Russian gas station kills 27, injures 66

A fire at a gas station in the southern Russian region of Dagestan killed at least 27 people including three children, Interfax news agency reported early on Tuesday citing regional emergency medics.