Three drowned while bathing in Garadi Ella

A man, his daughter and another girl were drowned while bathing in Garandi Ella at Madolsima today, police said.

Diplomat issue at BIA became a learning moment: Colombage

The incident of a senior US diplomat being given the green light to enter into the country sans a PCR test became a learning moment and resulted in the issuance of revised instructions for diplomats to be followed when arriving in Sri Lanka due to Covid-19, Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, the Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations, said today.

Curfew to be relaxed in the country from tomorrow

From tomorrow, (June 6) onwards, in all districts of the island curfew will be effective from 11.00 pm to 4.00 daily until further notice, Presidential Media Division announced.

Toll of Covid-19 cases soars to 1,801

The total number of cases of coronavirus was at 1,801 as of today 8.00 pm, the Health Ministry said.

Three policemen interdicted over Aluthgama incident

Three policemen-a Sub Inspector, a Police Sergeant and a Police Constable- have been interdicted over the recent incident at a police checkpoint in Aluthgama, Police said.

Diplomats told to submit PCR test before arriving, if not mandatory test at BIA

The members of the diplomatic staff need to submit PCR test reports obtained within 72 hours before arriving in Sri Lanka and if unable to do so, they would be subjected to a mandatory PCR test at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA, Katunayake, the Foreign Relations Ministry said.

COVID-19: Number of recovered navy officers soars to 443

The toll of navy personnel who recovered from Covid-19 has risen to 443 as seventeen more naval personnel have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, the Navy said.

Murder suspect dies in shootout

A murder suspect died during a shootout with the police at Iththakatuwa in Monaragala today, Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratna said.

CPC manufactures lubricant oil for the first time in SL

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has commenced manufacturing of Lubricant Oil for the first time in the history, Petroleum Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

42-year-old man found dead in Hokandara

A 42-year-old man was found dead at Dimuthu Mawatha at Hokandara this morning, police said.

UK & SL working together in search for Covid-19 vaccine

The United Kingdom and Sri Lanka are working together in search for a Covid-19 vaccine, the UK High Commission in Sri Lanka said today.

Jeewan Thondaman signs nominations

Arumugam Thondaman’s son Jeewan Thondaman has signed nomination papers to contest the General Election from Nuwara Eliya District under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna following the death of his father.

US diplomat refusing PCR test is so disappointing: Namal

Expressing disappointment over the incident where a senior diplomat of the US Embassy leaving the airport without a PCR test, former MP Namal Rajapaksa said what was needed now was cooperation and respect more than ever.

No decision yet to impose nationwide curfew on Sunday

The islandwide curfew which was imposed yesterday morning will be relaxed on Saturday morning at 4 am and there is no decision as yet to impose an islandwide curfew on Sunday, a senior official from the President’s Office told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Within a week three Lankan deaths in S. Korea

Three Sri Lankan migrant workers in South Korea have lost their lives within a space of a week due to various reasons including suicide, an official source from the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea told the Daily Mirror.

EC to hold mock poll on Sunday

The Elections Commission will take a mock poll on Sunday at a selected location as a move to determine the actual time required for the conduct of real polls in accordance with the guidelines stipulated by health authorities, an official said.

Gazette notices on code of conduct of political parties, media guidelines issued

The gazette notifications have been issued on code of conduct for contesting political parties/independent groups and candidates of the elections and media guidelines.

Man remanded for forging President’s signature

A 37-year-old man from Kurunegala, who was arrested for allegedly forging the signature of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on some documents, was today ordered to be remanded till June 8 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

China clarifies on news report

Responding to BBC news report ’’Backlash in China after front-line doctor dies’’ and published on Daily Mirror website, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said the Chinese Government and people highly appreciate the tremendous contribution of their medical workers, which is a key to the successful control of COVID-19 pandemic in China.

UNHR Chief concerned over arrests in SL for expressing discontent over COVID-19 situ

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet has expressed concern over alleged incidents of clampdown on freedom of expression including arrests of personnel for expressing discontent over COVID-19 situation in several Asia-Pacific countries including in Sri Lanka.

Quarantine only after PCR test results at BIA are known: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today instructed the officials to send returnees from foreign countries for quarantine only after results of PCR tests conducted at the airport itself are known, the President’s Media Division said.

US diplomat cleared from BIA sans PCR test: AASL

Officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), after consulting the relevant ministries, have allowed a senior diplomat of the US Embassy who arrived from Qatar to leave the airport without a PCR test this morning.

At no time, we felt sorry for ourselves- Sanga recalls Lahore attack

Legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara recalled the horrific terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team bus in Pakistan during 2009 tour. It was March 3, 2009, Sri Lanka team took the bus for the Day 3 of the second Test match of the series, and just outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 12 armed men attacked them.

A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse tomorrow night

The second penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020 will begin on June 5th night at 11.15 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time, when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon said Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, the Director of Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University.

Probe over alleged harassment on autistic teen at checkpoint

An investigation had been launched by the SSP Kalutara over a video circulating on social media which shows a 14-year-old autistic boy at Dharga Town in Aluthgama being allegedly harassed by Police officers, the Police said.

Though high, Navy COVID-19 cases contained to quarantine centres

Even though the number of COVID-19 cases reported within the Navy are relatively high, all the cases are being reported from quarantine centres, the Navy said today.

Provincial journalist test negative for COVID-19

The provincial journalist who covered the funeral of late Minister Arumugam Thondaman had tested negative for COVID-19, hospital sources said.

Paying income tax during lock-down period: Cabinet approves not to charge any fine

The Cabinet has decided not to charge any fine on income tax during the lock-down period (till June 20, 2020), Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said.

Issuing driving licences: Cabinet approves to cancel outsourcing practical test

Cabinet approval was granted to cancel the decision taken by the previous government to outsource the practical tests conducted by the department of Motor Traffic when issuing driving licences, Passenger Transport Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

George Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest

George Floyd’s final autopsy report has revealed the 46-year-old had tested positive for coronavirus, but died from ’cardiopulmonary arrest’ following his altercation with a Minneapolis police officer last Monday.