Justice for Rishad Bathiudeen...

A protest was held in Colombo today urging the authorities to mete out justice for Rishad Bathiudeen. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman was also present at the protest.

Several more GN Divisions placed under isolation

Sixteen Grama Niladhari Divisions were isolated with immediate effect, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

922 fresh COVID-19 cases reported so far today

A total of 922 new COVID-19 patients were detected so far today, the Government Information Department said.

Two GN Divisions in Polonnaruwa isolated

Elahera and Sarubima GN Divisions in Polonnaruwa have been placed under isolation with immediate effect, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Passenger, airport janitor nabbed with Gold worth over Rs. 317 Mn

A passenger and an airport maintenance worker were arrested by the Customs Narcotic Control unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with 26 kg of Gold Biscuits and Jewellery valued at over Rs. 317 million, Customs Department said.

Korean language to be added as A/L subject from this year: Minister

The Ministry of Education has decided to include the Korean language as a foreign language for the Advanced Level (A/L) curriculum from this year.

Man arrested for obstructing Chinese Defence Minister’s motorcade released

The 31-year-old man arrested over obstructing the police officer who was on duty at Borella junction during the motorcade provided to the Chinese Defence Minister on April 27 was released on Rs. 50,000 bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

CID to probe fake notice published in social media with police symbol

The Computer Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated investigations into a fake notice published in social media with the police symbol.

First group of Lankans held at Riyadh to return today

The first group of Sri Lankans held at the ‘Tarheel’ deportation camp in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be returning to Sri Lanka today.

India’s Intelligence Bureau to probe Kerala links of Bathiudeen in Easter attack

Intelligence Bureau and Kerala Police have started to dig into Kerala connections of All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader and parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen after he was arrested by Sri Lankan Police on April 24 in connection with April 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279 people and injured hundreds.

Situation dreadful, impose lockdown or travel restrictions immediately: PHI’s Union

While claiming that the country is heading towards a dangerous situation, the PHI union today charged the authorities have turned a blind eye to their repeated requests to go for a complete lockdown or to impose travel restrictions.

Flooded...

Ela Iwura village at Buthgamuwa road in Rajagiriya was flooded due to heavy rains this morning. About 42 affected families were taken to a safe location. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

KDU to provide ICU facilities to COVID patients: Minister

Three Intensive Care Units (ICUs) at John Kotelawala Defense University Hospital (KDU) would be set aside for the intensive care of Covid patients, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.

All events including weddings banned for two weeks: Army Chief

All events, including weddings, would not be allowed for a period of two weeks from Monday (3 May), Army Commander Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

Israel pilgrimage stampede kills at least 44

A massive stampede at a densely packed Jewish pilgrimage site killed at least 44 people in northern Israel on Friday, blackening the country’s largest Covid-era gathering.

Port City Economic Commission Bill to be debated on May 5

Leaders of political parties representing Parliament today decided to take up the debate on Port City Economic Commission Bill on Wednesday (May 5), Sergeant at Arms Narendra Fernando said today.

Buses carry passengers above seating capacity to face indefinite route permit suspension: Dilum

Decisions have been made to indefinitely suspend the route permits of the buses which are found carrying passengers over and above the seating capacity, which is contrary to the quarantine regulations, Transport State Minister Dilum Amunigama said.

UNP condemns arrest of citizen for encouraging people to sound car horns

The United National Party (UNP) is deeply concerned by the reports of the arrest of an individual allegedly involved in the recent honking of car horns at the vehicular convoy of a VIP.

France detects first cases of Indian COVID variant

France detected its first cases of contamination with the B.1.617 variant of the novel coronavirus, currently very present in India, the country’s Health Ministry said in a statement late on Thursday.

Police to conduct night search operations at restaurants, pubs, clubs

Special search operation would be conducted at restaurants, pubs, clubs and other social centres situated in the Western Province, especially at nights to monitor whether they are being operated adhering to health guidelines.

1,531 COVID cases in last 24-hours, Colombo records peak: NOCPCO

A total number of 1,531 COVID-19 positive cases have been reported during the past 24-hours across the country, while the Colombo district recorded the highest number of 533 cases, the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said.

Chief Epidemiologist confronted by journalists during media briefing

Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera was confronted during a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau yesterday over the spike in COVID-19 infections in the country.

Police found man linked to experimental bomb blast in 2018

A 28- year old Razik Raza who is at present in remand custody over aiding the suspects in the Easter Sunday blasts, admitted he was aware of the experimental bomb blast in 2018, prior to the suicide attacks.

’’Haritha Saviya’’ empowers to bring life back to nature

The Global Lifestyle Lanka as part of their social responsibility commitments recently held events of tree planting in several areas of Thimbirigasyaaya and Colombo Municipal Council Jurisdiction under the theme “Haritha Saviya”.

Man arrested for obstructing Chinese Minister’s motorcade: Police

A 31-year-old man who said to have obstructed the police officer who was on duty at Borella junction during the motorcade provided for the Chinese Defence Minister on April 27 was arrested, police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Even those vaccinated with first dose will be subject to RATs - Army Chief

Even those who have received the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination will be subject to a Rapid Antigen Test by health officials who have been deployed at all the entry and exit points of the Western Province, the Army Chief said.

Research begins on mixing vaccines

Research is underway on the possibility of mixing one Covid vaccine brand with another and the safety of giving two doses of another brand to an individual who has already obtained one dose of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine.

Dambulla, Galewela, Naula, Pannala isolated with immediate effect

Dambulla, Galewela and Naula police areas in Matale district and Pannala Police area in Kurunegala district have been isolated with immediate effect, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Beds in WP hospitals reach full capacity; one dies at home

The bed capacity in all hospitals designated to treat COVID-19 patients in the Western Province has reached full capacity, Western Province Health Department Secretary Gamini Dharmasena said.

15,000 Sputnik V vaccines to arrive in SL on May 4

Fifteen thousand doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines will arrive in Sri Lanka on May 4, and it will be administered to the public in the Western Province immediately, a senior government source told Daily Mirror yesterday.