Arumugam Thondaman passes away

Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) leader and former Minister Arumugam Thondaman (56) passed away a short while ago, sources confirmed.

New mechanism to repatriate Sri Lankans: PMD

A new mechanism is to be formulated to repatriate Sri Lankans who are stranded or faced with various difficulties in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the President’s Media Division said. In a statement, it said the nature of the new system will be decided at a meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow.

COVID-19 cases increase to 1,278

The number of COVID-19 infected cases in Sri Lanka has increased to 1,278 today, the Health Ministry said. Among the latest cases reported today, 69 are arrivals from Kuwait.

Proposal made to reopen airports for tourists from August

The Presidential Task Force established to combat COVID-19 has proposed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to reopen airports for foreign tourists from August 1st as the country is gradually returning to normalcy, the President’s Media Division said today.

Six institutions gazetted under Defence Ministry

In an extraordinary gazette issued on May 21, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has gazetted six institutions under the Defence Ministry.

SLPP questions presence of Hoole’s daughter at EC office

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said today it had serious doubts whether the Elections Commission’s member Professor Ratnajeevan Hoole arrived in the election office along with his daughter, who was subjected to quarantine measures, as part of his modus operandi to get the Parliamentary Elections postponed.

Four ambulances carrying COVID-19 patients crash at Kandalanda

Four ambulances carrying several COVID-19 patients from the Minneriya Quarantine centre to the Homagama Hospital had crashed at Kandalanda, Homgama this evening.

Universities to reopen for medical students on June 15

The universities will be reopened on June 15 for the final year Medical Faculty students for their examinations, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said today.

JVP queries Govt. policy on stranded SL expatriates

Former JVP MP Sunil Hadunnetti today questioned the government on its policy on Sri Lankan expatriates stranded in countries such as Kuwait, Maldives, Dubai and Qatar because of the COVID-19 outbreak and asked whether funds have been allocated to our embassies overseas to provide welfare facilities to the stranded Sri Lankans.

SLC suspends Shehan Madushanka

Sri Lanka Cricket decided to suspend fast-bawler Shehan Madushanka from all forms of cricket, with immediate effect, the SLC said.

COVID-19 recoveries rise to 712: 332 sailors among them

Seventeen more COVID-19 infected patients were recovered and discharged from hospitals today increasing the total number of recovered patients in Sri Lanka to 712.

Bandula still hopeful of building cricket stadium in Homagama

Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today that he is still hopeful of building the Homagama International Cricket Stadium.

Repatriate expats who are lifeblood of economy: Sajith

The government should give priority to Sri Lankan expatriates who wish to return to the country rather than focusing on bringing down COVID-19 patients from Seychelles for treatment, former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

Relaxing curfew: Country not 100 per cent normal, warns Dr Jasinghe

It was not mandatory to all staff members to report to work though the Police Curfew had been lifted, Health Services from today (26), Health Services Director General Anil Jasinghe said.

Fast bowler Shehan Madushanka remanded for possessing heroin

Sri Lanka’s fast bowler Shehan Madushanka and another were remanded till June 2 by the Kuliyapitiya Acting Magistrate on the charges of possessing heroin.

SLT clarifies situation regarding recent cyber-attack

Sri Lanka Telecom today said that they have detected an attempt of a cyber-attack, which has affected only some of their internal IT systems.

Disclose true financial position: Ranil tells Govt.

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today urged the government to reveal the true situation of the national economy.

Embassy says SL workers refuse to report to work

Responding to reports that 36 Sri Lankan workers were stranded at Bucharest Airport in Romania, the Sri Lankan envoy to Romania said the situation had arisen as most of the employees had refused to go back to their workplace.

Flight from Qatar cancelled after 70 COVID-19 patients found among previous arrivals

A flight with Sri Lankan passengers which was scheduled to arrive in the country tomorrow from Qatar was cancelled after more than 70 COVID-19 patients were found among the 466 passengers previously arrived from Qatar and at quarantine centres, Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations Jayanath Colombage said.

A/L timetable on social media false: Examination Dept.

The Advanced Level (A/L) timetable which is circulating on social media sites is false, Examinations Commissioner General Sanath B Pujitha said.

Seychelles praises SL for allowing 35 seychellois to undergo treatments in SL

The Government of Seychelles yesterday expressed its gratitude to the Sri Lankan Government for providing urgent medical attention for 35 citizens of Seychelles upon their arrival to Sri Lanka on May 23.

10th Covid-19 death reported in Sri lanka

A 51-year-old woman who returned from Kuwait died from Covid-19 reporting the 10th COVID-19 death in Sri Lanka, Director General of Health Services Anil Jasinghe said.

Legal action against those fail to maintain social distancing

Legal action would be taken against those who fail to maintain social distancing in public places with effect from tomorrow, DIG Ajith Roahan said today.

Dozens of Sri Lankans stranded at Bucharest Airport

Dozens of Sri Lankans who worked at a textile factory at Botosani in Romania, were stranded at the Bucharest Airport on Sunday evening since there was no flight to return to Sri Lanka, Romania Insider reported.

kissing couple made taboo as ban on wedding lifted

Weddings are permitted at high-end hotels but invitees from both sides must be restricted to a maximum of 100. The tradition of guests kissing the newly-wed couple is made taboo.

27 trains will operate to Colombo tomorrow: Railways Dept.

Twenty seven trains including two special trains are scheduled to be operated to Colombo from tomorrow (26) to accommodate 16,600 registered staff employees, Railways Department’s Commercial Superintendent Vajira Polwatta said.

1,148 Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka

Seven more Covid-19 infected patients were reported today increasing the total cases to 1,148, the Government Information Department said.

Total recoveries from Covid-19 rise to 695

A total of 21 more Covid-19 infected patients have recovered and been discharged increasing the total recovered cases in Sri Lanka to 695, the Health Ministry said.

Inter-provincial bus services from tomorrow: Minister

Power, Energy and Transport Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday instructed the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and the National Transport Commission (NTC) to resume inter-provincial bus services from tomorrow (26) except in Colombo and Gampaha Districts.

Strict health restrictions to continue despite curfew relaxed from Tuesday

Strict health restrictions will continue in all districts including Colombo and Gampaha when curfew is relaxed from Tuesday while restaurants, cinemas and all other places which gather people will remain closed until further notice in order to prevent a possible re-surface of the COVID-19, a senior government official told Daily Mirror yesterday.