SC commences hearing FR petitions against General Election date

Consideration of seven Fundemental Rights petitions challenging the election date, commenced before a five-judge Supreme Court bench.

Five websites hacked targeting Victory Day: CERT

At least five local websites had been hacked into by a group of hackers this morning targeting the Victory Day commemorations, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team/Co-ordination Centre (CERT|CC) said.

69 Sri Lankans arrive from Thailand

A group 69 Sri Lankans who were stranded in various cities in Thailand for nearly two months due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation were repatriated yesterday evening via a special Maldivian Airlines charter flight Q2 6351, by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Bangkok.

Sri Lanka’s economic growth bound to go down to -3.5% - Ranil warns

Warning that Sri Lanka’s economic growth is bound to go down to -3.5 percent, former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the government to formulate a long term plan to revive the economy battered by Covid-19 pandemic.

Do we need another ground? Mahela

Former Sri Lanka Cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena has questioned the government decision to construct another international cricket stadium in Sri Lanka.

Rethink plans to return unless in compelling circumstances: Foreign Secretary to overseas Sri Lankans

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha requested the overseas Sri Lankans to rethink their plans to return to Sri Lanka unless in compelling circumstances.

SL’s biggest int’l cricket ground to be built in Homagama

Sri Lanka’s biggest international cricket ground with 40,000 seating capacity will be built in Diyagama, Homagama, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

LIOC increases petrol (92 Octane) from midnight

The Lanka-IOC (LIOC) has increased the 92 Octane petrol price with effect from midnight today.

Toll of COVID-19 cases rises 981

Eleven more Covid-19 infected patients were reported today, increasing total cases in Sri Lanka to 981, the Health Ministry said.

14,617 other ranks of Sri Lanka Army to be promoted

A record of 14,617 other ranks of Sri Lanka Army would be promoted in view of the National War Heroes’ Day which falls on May 19, the Army said.

Donating day’s salary to Govt. not applicable to Armed Forces, Police: Def. Sec.

Donating a day’s salary to the Government to overcome the existing financial constraints due to coronavirus pandemic is not applicable to Tri-Forces, Police and Civil Defence Services personnel, Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said.

India ready to tour Sri Lanka for an ODI & T20 series; BCCI

The Indian cricket board - BCCI says it is open to tour Sri Lanka in July for a six-match limited over series, if the government allows them to. “It all depends on government directives pertaining to lockdown relaxations and travel restrictions. We are open to travel if it doesn’t compromise safety and health of our boys,” treasurer Arun Dhumal said.

A/L students allowed to use calculators at exams

Students who sit for the GCE A/L examination this year will be allowed to use calculators for the first time in the history, Commissioner General of Examinations B. Sanath Pujitha said.

Chinese ambassador to Israel found dead at home

The Chinese ambassador to Israel, Du Wei, was found dead at his residence on the outskirts of Tel Aviv on Sunday, Israeli police said.

Over 38,000 Sri Lankans in 143 countries seek to return home

A total of 38,983 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in 143 countries at present seek to return home, based on information gathered mainly through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.

Nineteen trains to operate from Monday

Nineteen trains are scheduled to be operated to Colombo from Monday (May 18), the Railways Department said.

COVID-19: Total recoveries rise to 538

Eighteen more COVID-19 infected patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals today increasing the total number of recovered cases to 538, the Health Ministry said.

Election Commission’s duty is to hold elections, not to postpone: Prasanna

The Election Commission was appointed to hold elections and not to postpone them and it is their responsibility to hold the General Elections in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Health Sector, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said today.

Spraying disinfectants can be ’harmful’, says WHO

As reported by the Daily Mirror on several occasions, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned yesterday that spraying of disinfectant on the streets does not eliminate the new coronavirus and even poses a health risk.

Over 56,000 curfew violaters arrested - 5,221 fined

A total of 56,356 persons have been arrested and more than 15,000 vehicles were taken into custody as of this morning for violating curfew since March 20, the Police said.

India’s COVID-19 cases cross 90,000 mark

India has crossed the 90,000-mark in the number of coronavirus cases as it recorded the biggest single-day jump of 4,987 new patients, bringing the total to 90,927 cases so far, including 2,872 deaths, Union Health Ministry said today. Of the total deaths linked to COVID-19, 120 patients died in the last 24 hours.

Cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ likely to intensify into Severe Cyclonic Storm

The deep depression over south east Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood, has intensified into a Cyclonic storm ‘AMPHAN’ and lay centred at 02.30 a.m. of today, (17) about 610 km North-east of Trincomalee, the Met department said.

960 Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka

The toll of Covid-19 cases in Sri Lanka has risen to 960 with 25 more infected patients being reported today, the Health Ministry said.

Possible minor floods surrounding Maha Oya, Aththnagalu Oya: DMC

The water levels in Maha Oya and Aththanagalu River are rising continuously due to heavy rains and this could result in minor floods, Spokesman for the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Pradeep Kodippili said.

DMT to recommence services from May 20: Commissioner General

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has decided to recommence its services from May 20 subject to certain limitations with a limited staff, Commissioner General of the Department, Sumith C. K. Alahakoon said.

SL demands retraction of Guardian Travel Quiz with reference to ‘Eelam’

Sri Lanka has demanded UK’s The Guardian website to remove a travel picture quiz which stated that Eelam is an indigenous name for Sri Lanka.

Complete transparency when utilising COVID-19 Fund: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured today that the funds of the COVID-19 Social and Security Fund would be utilised with complete transparency.

Taxi drivers allowed to transport employees

Taxi drivers were allowed to operate to transport employees, even across districts, to their places of work and/or home, police said today.

Power disruptions in several areas due to rains

The electricity supply to some 45,000 people living in several areas in the Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara, Hambantota and Kurunegala Districts had been disrupted due to heavy rains, the Ministry of Power and Energy said.

48-year-old swept away by currents in Wattarama

A 48-year-old man died after being swept away by the currents in Wattarama, Kegalle in the early hours of today, police said.