More train, buses from Monday

More trains and buses would be assigned from Monday, June 1 to ease the passenger transportation in the country, officials attached to the Railways Department, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) said.

Cops on duty during Moratuwa shooting interdicted

A sergeant and two constables who were on duty when gunmen opened fire at a hotel in Soysapura, Moratuwa, have been interdicted over the incident, Police said.

Cyber attack on two Govt. websites

Cyber-attacks had taken place this morning targeting several Government websites including the Foreign Employment Bureau and the Public Administration Ministry, the Cyber Security Headquarters at the Sri Lanka Air force (SLAF) said.

Rare black leopard dies during rescue; Underscores need to ban snare traps

Snare traps that are being laid to save vegetable plots from attacks by wild boar and other animals have become life threatening to leopards, especially in the Central Highlands.

Dengue on the rise again

During the past five months of this year there have been 19,825 reported cases of dengue-related complications with 22 deaths, Health Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi said yesterday.

304 Lankans from India, Australia arrived this morning

A total of 304 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Australia and India due to COVID-19 pandemic, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on two SriLankan Airlines flights this morning, the Airport Duty Manager said.

We will free the UNP from wheeler dealers: SJB

Claiming it is the real United National Party (UNP), the former UNP MPs who joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday its Working Committee had decided to free the party from the clutches of those whom SJB alleged were involved in deals with the government.

Toll of Covid-19 cases climbs to 1,558

The total number of Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka has increased to 1,558, the Epidemiology Unit said.

STF has a major role in countering extremism: Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Special Task Force (STF) has a major role to play in countering extremism and organised crimes, including drug mafia.

5,710 train delays due to strikes last year: Railways Dept.

A total of 5,710 train delays have occurred due to strike actions taken by trade unions last year, a report issued to the Transport Minister by the Railways Department said.

Curfew imposed in Nuwara Eliya tomorrow

Full day curfew will be in force in the Nuwara Eliya District tomorrow, the President’s Media Division said. It said as per the announcement issued yesterday, an island-wide curfew will be effective on Sunday, May 31st.

SL-India stress need to expedite implementation of joint projects

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the newly appointed Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay stressed the need to expedite the implementation of already agreed joint projects for the benefit of both countries, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Further consideration of FR petitions postponed till Monday

Further consideration of the Fundamental Right petitions filed challenging the General Elections date was postponed by the Supreme Court until 10 am on Monday (June 1).

COVID-19 recoveries increase to 754

The number of COVID-19 recoveries increased to 754 today as nine patients were discharged from the hospitals after being recovered, the Health Ministry said.

Free of charge education to children at home via phone

Dialog Axiata PLC has partnered with the Ministry of Education to provide the opportunity for the children to receive education at home from their school teachers free of charge, using the phone either with or without internet facilities.

Flight carrying 176 Indians takes off from Colombo

First special Air India flight AI 0276 carrying 176 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka took off from Colombo today for Mumbai, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said.

SF also gives statement to CCD over COVID-19 remarks

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka arrived at the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today to give a statement over the remarks he made with regard to COVID-19 situation in the country, allegedly resulting in Coronavirus fear-mongering among the general public.

Serving liquor only with health approval: Excise Dept.

Though some restaurants and hotels have been allowed to sell liquor, they should specifically obtain the approval of the health authorities if they wish to serve liquor inside the premises, the Excise Department said.

UNP suspends membership of Sajith and 98 others

The United National Party (UNP) working committee today approved the suspension of the party membership of its deputy leader Sajith Premadasa and 98 other former ministers, MPs, provincial councillors and organizers.

Black leopard rescued at Nallathanniya dies

The black leopard that was rescued in the Laxapana Estate, Nallathanniya while trapped in a snare, has died today while being treated at the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe.

274 Sri Lankans repatriated from Belarus

A group of 274 Sri Lankans including students who were stranded in Belarus arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night.

Other countries should have treated sick foreigners like we did: DGHS

If other countries where expatriate Sri Lankans are employed think humanely and accord the hospitality to them in the same way Sri Lanka accorded to foreign nationals, Sri Lanka would not have faced the problem of repatriation of hundreds of sick Sri Lankans, Director General Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said yesterday.

Raids on high-end bars

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) is to carry out raids on high-end bars operating in the city, in violation of the Quarantine Act and Health Ministry guidelines issued this week.

CCD records statement from Rajitha in prison

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) yesterday recorded a statement from former minister Rajitha Senaratne over a statement he made at a news conference that a group of students from a school in Colombo had been infected with Covid-19.

Covid-19 cases surge to 1530

Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka have surged to 1530 after a total of 61 patients were detected with the virus during the day (28), the health ministry said.

External funding must be development centric: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said external funding must be “development centric” by all aspects of such facilities because the timeline to reach normalcy in the country will be longer.

Toll of COVID-19 cases rise to 1,486

A total of 15 more Covid-19 infected patients were reported increasing the total cases in Sri Lanka to 1,486, the Ministry of Health said.

Black leopard still recovering

The black leopard that was rescued while trapped in a snare was being treated at the Elephant Transit Home at Udawalawe and recovering from wounds, an official of the Wildlife Department said.

18-hour water cut in Colombo

An 18-hour water would be imposed in Colombo 02, 03, 07, 08, 09 and 10 due to an urgent maintenance and service improvement work on transmission pipeline on Saturday, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board.

2,500 milch cows to be imported from Australia

The government plans to import 2,500 milch cows from Australia in a bid to make Sri Lanka self sufficient from milk by 2025 and also restrict importing of milk powder that costs the government Rs. 50 billion annually, Cabinet spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana said today.