PM sworn-in as Social Empowerment Minister

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Minister of Social Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development, the portfolio previously held by late Minister Arumugam Thondaman.

Indian Navy ship arrives to repatriate 700 stranded Indians

Indian Navy ship INS Jalashwa arrived at the Colombo Port this morning to bring back 700 stranded Indians under the second phase of Operation ’’Samudra Setu’’ as a part of the ’’Vande Bharat’’ mission.

Consideration of FR petitions resumes

The consideration of the Fundamental Right petitions filed challenging the General Elections date commenced before the Supreme Court for the 10th day today.

Harsha calls for debate with Basil

Former Minister Harsha de Silva challenged former Minister Basil Rajapaksa for a public debate on the steps taken by the government to secure employment of private sector workers.

Unraveling the ‘new normal’

The newly introduced guidelines for the ‘new normal’ has drawn flak for having more grey areas than clarity, resulting in spreading more confusion among the public.

Eleventh Covid-19 death reported in Sri Lanka

A 45-year-old male, who returned from Kuwait and being treated at the Homagama hospital has died due to Covid-19, reporting the eleventh death from the virus infection in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry said.

Rosy denies allegations of move to kill stray dogs

Mayoress of Colombo Rosy Senanayake yesterday denied reports that the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) decided to kill stray dogs that are loitering in Viharamahadevi Park and within the Colombo City as a whole.

Thondaman’s funeral: PHIs want legal action against disrupters

While condemning the actions of certain individuals of late Minister Arumugam Thondamn’s party in coercing DGHS Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union said legal actions should be taken against those who disrupted the working of the health authorities.

CID probes NGOs registered without due process

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has initiated investigations into NGOs which have been registered during the term of the previous government without following the due procedures, an official said yesterday.

Capital punishment; SC extends interim injunction order till Oct 15

The Supreme Court had extended interim injunction order till October 15, issued suspending the enforcement of the decision taken by former President Maithripala Sirisena to execute heroin traffickers sentenced to death by the High Court.

Artificial beach not washed away, creating natural beach according to new technique: CCD

The washing away of sand heaps, which was filled for the construction of the artificial beach between Kalutara and Mount Lavinia, was not sea erosion but the method adopted in creating artificial beaches using natural forces, the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) said.

Taking all measures to ensure welfare of Lankans in Jordan: Embassy

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan said it continues to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation in Jordan and is taking all requisite measures to ensure the welfare of Sri Lankans there.

Arundika Fernando’s jeep involved in accident, one injured

One person was injured when a motorcycle collided with former State Minister of Tourism Promotion Arundika Fernando’s jeep at Dunkannawa in Marawila last night.

No data breach occured in cyber-attack attempts - SLCERT

Sri Lanka CERT|CC has confirmed that a couple of websites in Sri Lanka have been defaced by a group of activists and that no data breach has occurred in this attempt to deface the websites.

’Konda Janith’ arrested over gunfire attack on hotel in Soysapura

The 34-year old L.J.H. Wimalaweera alias ’Konda Janith’ has been arrested by the STF over the shooting incident at a hotel in Soysapura, Moratuwa, Police said.

Proposed to explore possibility of PCR tests before migrant workers boarding flights: MFA

While reassuring that the repatriation of migrant workers from the Middle East as well as other regions will continue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said it is proposed to explore the possibility of getting PCR tests done prior to boarding all flights in future.

14 families in and around Horana placed under quarantine

14 families have been placed under quarantine in and around Horana, after an army solider who visited the area a few days ago tested positive for COVID-19, the police said.

District Bim Saviya offices asked to report issues to main office

The Land Settlement Department yesterday requested their district ‘Bim Saviya’ offices to report all their issues arising surveying lands and when issuing title registrations under the Bim Saviya survey programme, to the head office.

Allegations of removing stray dogs false: CMC

The allegations being made on social media that all stray dogs including all those in and around the Vihara Maha Devi Park are being rounded up by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and will be put down are false, the CMC said.

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.