SJB under telephone symbol

As the talks between the United National Party ( UNP) and the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) collapsed yesterday the latter decided to contest the April 25 general election under the telephone symbol.

Public assembly including large scale election gatherings to be restricted if situation worsens

Sri Lankan health authorities are closely monitoring the global COVID-19 outbreak and studying its mode of transmission from country to country and will caution against large scale public gatherings including large election gatherings if the situation worsens, sources from the Health Ministry told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

All three phases to culminate by mid-April

All three phases of the Kalutara North Calido beach development project can be completed by April 20, Coastal Development Chief Engineer Sujeewa Ranawaka informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last Sunday when the latter inspected the progress of the assignment.

First batch sent to Batticaloa Campus

The first batch of passengers who were to be quarantined, sent to the Batticaloa Campus quarantine centre yesterday. The Health Ministry has set up three quarantine centres at three locations - Batticaloa campus, the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation centre, Polonnaruwa, and the Leprosy Hospital Hendala.

Former Prez. PM, security top brass responsible for 21/4

The former President, former Prime Minister, former State Minister of Defence and former heads of security establishments should be held responsible for the dastardly Easter Sunday carnage, former Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri told a press briefing held last Sunday in Moneragala.

COVID-19: Kuwait cancels medical certificate requirement

The medical certificate ‘PCR’ to confirm foreigners travelling to Kuwait from March 8 onwards are not afflicted with coronavirus (COVID-19) has been cancelled by the Kuwait Civil Aviation Services Deputy Director-General.

Talks with UNP collapse; SJB to contest under telephone

As talks between the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) collapsed yesterday, the latter decided to contest the April 25 general election under the telephone symbol.

SJB to reiterate national list seat offer to Ranil

Members of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, led by Sajith Premadasa, yesterday decided to make a fresh offer to UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to enter Parliament through the national list under the SJB alliance as Premadasa was all set to contest the upcoming general election through the Colombo district, a UNP source told the Daily Mirror last evening.

Fuel price slump: Govt. mulls passing on benefit to public

Taking into account the decline in fuel prices in the global market, the attention of Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has been drawn towards passing on its benefit to the public by opting for a domestic price revision.

SLFP supporters now being attacked like animals: Dayasiri

Although we stood firm by Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential election despite threats within our own ranks, we are now being attacked like animals by leaders of the government, SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

Ravi likely to surrender to court today: UNP

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who is absconding court after being issued an arrest warrant against him in connection with the Central Bank bond scam, is likely to surrender to court today or on any of the working days this week, said a former UNP MP from the Kandy District who wished to remain anonymous.

Hot weather in 11 districts

The Department of Meteorology today issued hot weather advisories to 11 districts including the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and Southern Provinces and the Moneragala District warning people to be extremely cautious.

Quarantine Centres in Punani and Kandakadu now ready: Army Chief

Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Shavendra Silva said the tri-services once again shouldering the national responsibility of containing any possible transmission of deadly ’Covid-19’ (Coronavirus) in the country.

Invitation still stands: Sajith tells Ranil

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa today invited his UNP counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe to join SJB saying the door was open for him and others to join the new alliance. Addressing the opening ceremony of SJB headquarters in Pita Kotte, he said the invitation extended to Mr. Wickremesinghe was still valid.

SLFP should side with SJB: Wijayamuni

Former MP Gamini Wijith Wijayamuni de Soysa said today the SLFP should join Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) led by UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa.

Recidivism on the rise: Prison officials

There is a trend among inmates to be incarcerated after being released, a survey conducted by prison officials revealed. It said a person had been detained 27 times in various prisons countrywide.

Moratuwa, Panadura plagued with poor upkeep; Prez demands swift action

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has informed the police and representatives of local government bodies about the unsatisfactory cleaning process in Moratuwa and Panadura, the President’s Media Division said.

Lankans returning from overseas asked to self-quarantine

Sri Lankans returning from overseas are requested to self-quarantine at home for 14 days due to the spread of coronavirus, Health Services Director-General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Oil prices drop 31% in worst loss since Gulf War

Oil markets crashed more than 30 per cent after the disintegration of the Opec+ alliance triggered an all-out price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that is likely to have sweeping political and economic consequences.

COVID-19; SL suspends pilgrimage to Dambadiva

The Buddha Sasana Ministry has advised tour operators and other relevant authorities to suspend all pilgrimage tours to ‘Dambadiva’, India with immediate effect.

COVID-19: Italy death toll soars amid travel ban

The number of people to have died from the coronavirus in Italy has shot up by 133 in a day to 366, officials say.

Qatar bans visitors from Sri Lanka, 13 other countries

Qatar has temporarily banned the entry of travelers in 14 countries, including Sri Lanka, with effect from Monday (9), news agencies stated quoting an advisory issued by Qatar.

Van crashed into tree: Six killed, three injured

Six people were killed and three others injured after a van crashed into a tree at Lunugamwehera on the Mattala-Kataragama Main Road early this morning.

Sri Lankan officials risk listing by UK

Sri Lankan officials, including Army Commander of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva risks being designated by the United Kingdom (UK) under a new British sanctions regime.

SL Embassy ensures the safety of Sri Lankans in Italy

The Sri Lankan embassy in Italy remains attentive towards its expatriates living in that country after Italian Government decided on Saturday to lock down Lombardy province and 14 other provinces to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

WHO to produce new kind of facial mask

The World Health Organisation is presently engaged in introducing a new face mask to help meet the increasing demand for the masks in most countries including Sri Lanka, the Chief Epidemiologist of the Academy of Epidemic Disease Unit, Dr Sudath Samaraweera said.

Facebook party raided in Pannipitiya: 77 arrested

Seventy seven (77) youths including 17 females were taken into the police custody, when a special police team raided a Facebook party in the Pannipitiya area this evening, police sources said. The raid has been carried out due to the use of illegal drugs, including synthetic drug pills.

EPDP contests under Veena

Leader of EPDP Organization Douglas Devananda said that they are going to contest in forthcoming General Election under its Veena symbol in all the districts in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces.

UNPers need not be averse to SJB as we are an alliance: Sajith

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was an alliance which includes UNP, therefore, UNP members need not be reluctant to join, its leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Talks still on between SJB and UNP: Ruwan

Despite the official notification made by UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on Saturday that UNP would contest the General Election under elephant symbol, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today that talks were continuing with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to end differences and face the polls together.