Police curfew in Puttalam district,Kochchikade, Ja-Ela,Wattala lifted for 3 hours

The Police curfew which was imposed in the Puttalam district, Kochchikade police division, Wattala and Ja-Ela areas, has been lifted at 9 am today and will be re-imposed at 12 noon, Police said.

“Work from home” - CERT issues red alert

There is a high-level threat as hackers could attack remote user credentials and emails when organisations allow employees to work from home, the Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has warned.

The groups who evaded quarantine are traitors: Amaraweera

The groups who had protested at the airport and evaded quarantine should be considered as traitors as they were directly responsible for the country’s current situation, Transport Services Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Cabinet allocates Rs.75Bn to settle ’Red bills’ of former Govt.

The cabinet gave the nod on Wednesday (18) to allocate a massive Rs. 75 billion to settle unpaid bills of the Yahapalana government to small and middle-level development projects, fertiliser companies, banks and many other investors, goods and services suppliers, cabinet spokesman, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said yesterday.

Gnanasara Thera’s nominations rejected

Three nomination lists in Kurunegala District including Ape Jana Balawegaya from which Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was to contest and of two independent groups were rejected today.

Nude woman in video obstructs police from arresting suspect

A police investigation has revealed that the naked woman who appeared in a video that went viral on social media, had undressed herself before obstructing the police from arresting a suspect wanted over drug trafficking.

Police curfew in Wattala, Ja-Ela until further notice

Police curfew has been imposed in the Wattala and Ja-Ela areas from today 10.00 pm until further notice, police said. They said the curfew was imposed in line with the measures which are being taken to prevent the COVID-19 spread.

I should submit cabinet paper to amend fuel prices: Amaraweera

No decision could be taken by the cabinet without my concern for amending the fuel price to be at a flat rate for next year, Petroleum Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Suspect arrested over child abuse video

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today arrested a 36-year-old suspect from Andiambalama over abusing a girl child, an incident which was video recorded and went viral on social media.

Motor vehicle imports suspended for three months

The Central Bank (CB) today directed all banks to suspend facilitating importation of all types of motor vehicles for three months with immediate effect.

JSC issues special circular on court proceedings

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has issued a special circular describing criterion for court proceedings for a week from tomorrow with the aim of preventing the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country, the President’s Media Division said.

17 political parties and 25 independent groups in Colombo District list

The ballot paper for Colombo District at this year’s General Election is slated to be longer than last year’s ballot paper of the Presidential elections which was around two feet with 17 political parties and 25 independent groups joining in the fray in Colombo.

ASP Liyanage contests from Colombo with UNP

Sri Lanka Labour Party Leader, A.S.P Liyanage is to contest the General Election for the United National Party (UNP) from the Colombo District.

SL Missions in India continue to coordinate early return of pilgrims

Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in India in consultation with the Foreign Relations and Buddha Sasana Ministries continue their coordinating and facilitating endeavours for the early return of Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims currently in India, following the temporary closure of the Bandaranaike International Airport for inward commercial flights.

Met. Dept. issues ‘Extreme Caution’ advisory to 9 districts

While issuing an ‘Extreme Caution’ hot weather advisory for nine districts, the Meteorology Department said the temperature felt on the human body could be expected to increase up to ‘Extreme Caution’ level.

India bans entry of all international commercial passenger flights for one week

India today decided to shut all international commercial flights for one week starting from 22 March. The order will remain in effect till 29 March.

Thunderstorm warning issued for eleven districts

The Meteorology Department today warned of thunderstorms accompanied by severe lightning and thunder in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces and Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Nuwara-Eliya Districts in the evening or night.

Seven more tested positive for COVID-19, toll reaches 59

Seven more persons tested positive for COVID-19 today bringing the toll of the positive cases to 59, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Police curfew re-imposed until further notice

The Police curfew which was lifted in the Puttalam district and Kochchikade police division this morning, has been re-imposed until further notice, Police said.

No General Elections on April 25: EC

The Elections Commission (EC) today postponed the Parliamentary polls scheduled to be held on April 25th indefinitely considering the uncertain situation prevalent in the country with the spread of COVID 19, viral infection.

Govt. declares one week as ‘work from home’

The Government has declared one week from March 20 to27 for Public and Private Sector as a period to work from home, President’s Media Unit said.

Govt. to maintain flat rate for fuel for one year

The Government has decided to maintain fuel price under a flat rate for at least one year irrespective of the world market price cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

Mohamed Haji to contest from Colombo under UNP

Mohamed Haji today signed nomination papers to contest the parliamentary election from the Colombo District under United National Party (UNP).

China: No new coronavirus cases in Hubei

Chinese health authorities say no new coronavirus cases were reported in Hubei Province on Wednesday, which includes the city of Wuhan, the original epicenter of the outbreak.

Western Province Governor resigns

Western Province Governor Dr Seetha Arambepola resigns from her post after she has been nominated in the SLPP national list.

Italy coronavirus deaths rise by record 475 in a day

The number of people dying from coronavirus in Italy has risen by 475 in one day to nearly 3,000 - the biggest increase since the outbreak.

Arjuna to consider refraining from contesting at polls

Former MP Arujna Ranatunga yesterday said he will refrain from contesting the general election because of the crisis brought on by CORVID-19.

Domestic pilgrimages, leisure trips suspended indefinitely

The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) yesterday decided to suspend all pilgrimages and leisure trips within the country until further notice.

CAA closes all entry points till March 25

“All international airports in the country will be closed for passenger arrivals from 0400 today to midnight 2359, March 25,” the Civil Aviation Authority source said.

Country should come together to carry out quarantine activities: Sajith

The entire country should come together and support all transparent quarantine activities, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.