Ravi, Aloysius appear in court

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and Arjun Aloysius have appeared in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court a short while ago as ordered by the Court of Appeal.

Sri Lankans restricted for leaving for foreign employment

Sri Lankans are restricted for leaving for foreign employment until further notice, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said today.

Six including Mohamed Ibrahim further remanded

The six suspects including Shangri-La Hotel suicide bomber’s father Mohamed Ibrahim were further remanded until March 27 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Coronavirus: Road Safety World Series called off

The UnAcademy Road Safety World Series has been called off due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

All pre-schools to be closed from today

The Women & Child Affairs and Social Security Ministry today advised all pre-schools in the country to close from today until further notice.

Ravi, others ordered to appear in court before 4 pm

The Court of Appeal today ordered former MP Ravi Karunanayake and other suspects in the Central Bank bond scam case to appear in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court before 4 pm today.

Coronavirus: First death confirmed in India

India has recorded its first death linked to the coronavirus, officials confirmed. The 76-year-old man, from the southern state of Karnataka, had returned from Saudi Arabia on 29 February after a month-long visit.

All universities to be closed for two weeks

All universities will be closed for two weeks from tomorrow due to the COVID-19 outbreak, University Grants Commission Chairman Sampath Amaratunge said today.

Refrain from circulating false info on Covid-19: TRCSL

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) today advised the public not to circulate or share false or fabricated information on Covid-19 to create panic among the general public.

Brazilian official who met Trump tests positive for coronavirus

A Brazilian official who met with President Donald Trump over the weekend has tested positive for the coronavirus, but Trump has said Thursday that he’s ’’not concerned’’ about their interaction, NBC News reported today.

Ragging incident: 16 J’pura undergrads suspended

Sixteen students of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura have been temporarily suspended in connection with the incident where a first-year student was injured in a ragging incident, Acting Vice Chancellor of the University said.

England consider calling off tour of Sri Lanka amid coronavirus threat

England were on Thursday night considering calling off their tour of Sri Lanka before an anticipated 3,000 supporters head to Galle for the first Test, the Mail Online reported.

Temporary travel ban on South Korea, Italy, Iran

Temporary travel ban was imposed on South Korea, Italy and Iran for two weeks due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said today.

EC continues preparations for polls

The National Elections Commission (EC) is continuing with its preparations to hold the Parliamentary Election on schedule despite steps taken by the authorities to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Govt. to seek EC advise on delaying polls

A senior minister yesterday told Daily Mirror the government would seek advise of the Election Commission (EC) whether the upcoming general election could be postponed in the event a coronavirus outbreak is reported in the country.

Bus catches fire on the Southern expressway

A bus plying from Colombo to Galle on the Southern Expressway (E-01) caught fire between Kottawa and Kahathuduwa Interchanges at the 3.6-milepost this morning, the expressway police unit said.

Govt. to appeal to hoteliers in case of need

The government is to make an appeal to hotel owners for voluntary assistance to allow their hotels to be used as quarantine centres, if the necessity arises to quarantine more people in the coming days, the President’s office said yesterday.

Canadian PM’s wife tested positive for COVID-19

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus), according to a statement from Trudeau’s office.

Fuel price reduction within next few days: Minister

The government would pass the benefit of fuel price reduction in the global market to the consumer in the next few days after deciding the way it should be done, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said yesterday.

Many seek treatment for flu-like symptoms: Health Ministry

The Health Ministry yesterday said that there was a rise in the number of people who had sought treatment for flu-like symptoms at the designated hospitals within the past 48 hours, out of which many were released within a few hours.

Total of 1,131 passengers arrive during the last three days: Aviation Director

By the third day since the initiation of COVID-19 quarantine process at the airport, a total of 1,131 passengers who arrived in the country from Iran, Italy and South Korea had been sent for quarantine at Batticaloa Campus, Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre in Polonnaruwa and the Leprosy Hospital Hendala, Airport & Aviation Director Shehan Sumanasekara said.

Prohibited wireless phones to be removed from use in SL

Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) had decided to remove a wide range of wireless mobile phones which cannot be used under the mobile frequency range in Sri Lanka.

All steps taken, don’t panic: President, PM

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said all necessary steps had been taken to contain the spread of coronavirus and requested the people not to panic unnecessarily regarding coronavirus related developments in the country.

MR should retire from politics: Ven. Rathana Thera

Former Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera today urged Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to retire from politics and hand over the leadership of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa so that he can implement his policies independently.

Death of four students: Five teachers interdicted

The Principal in Haliela Vidya Vidyalaya was removed from the post on compulsory retirement, and five teachers including the deputy principal were interdicted on the findings of the preliminary inquiry into the neglect of their responsibility that resulted in the death of four students who drowned in the Medawachchiya tank in Gomarankadawala in Trincomalee during an education tour.

Gihan Pilapitiya’s writ petition to be taken up on May 4

The Court of Appeal today decided to consider the writ petition filed by interdicted High Court Judge Gihan Pilapitiya on May 4 seeking an interim order prohibiting the Acting IGP and his agents from arresting him over the controversial telephone conversations with former Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake.

COVID19: JVP urges govt. to implement national action plan

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today urged the government to introduce a national action plan to rescue the country and the people from the COVID19 virus considering it a national concern.

Aitken Spence denies reports, says building not on lockdown

The Management of Aitken Spence PLC today denied reports that the chauffeur guide tested positive for COVID-19 was an employee of Aitken Spence and that the company building has been on lockdown.

75kgs of heroin found in container of potatoes

Over 75 kilograms of heroin packed along with potatoes have been found from a freight container at Kochchikade, Negombo today, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) said.

Welgama joins Samagi Jana Balawegaya

The New Lanka Freedom Party led by former MP Kumara Welgama joined with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today.