14-day quarantine mandatory for all passengers from Italy, Korea, Iran

All passengers arriving in Sri Lanka from Italy, South Korea and Iran will be quarantined for 14 days as a precautionary measure to prevent coronavirus spread, the Health Ministry said.

Disembarking foreigners from passenger ships stopped

Foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka by passenger ships would not be allowed to disembark with immediate effect due to coronavirus risks, Director General of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said today.

England players will not shake hands on Sri Lanka tour

England players will not shake hands during the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to captain Joe Root.

Two Sri Lankans arrested in Nigeria with fake passports

Two Sri-Lankans have been arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja,Nigeria with forged Malaysian passports.

Sri Lankan in Italy tested positive for coronavirus

The first Sri Lankan to contract new coronavirus was reported in Italy, the Foreign Relations Ministry said today. It said a 46-year Sri Lankan woman in Brascia, Italy was tested positive for the virus.

Sirisena’s ‘eagle attack’ flopped when he attacked UNP, RW: Range Bandara

Former President Maithripala Sirisena started his ‘eagle attacks’ from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he had hoppers with President Rajapaksa and joined the UNP, UNP MP Range Bandara said referring to the ex-President’s speech in Polonnaruwa in which he claimed that he attacked like eagles.

Passengers arriving from Italy to undergo 14-day quarantine

Weeks after the Health Ministry ordered all passengers arriving from China and South Korea to undergo a 14-day quarantine period following the outbreak of COVID-19, passengers arriving from Italy will also undergo 14-day isolation, officials from the Health Ministry told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Sajith wants ‘elephant’ for SJB

Addressing a press conference held today at the parliamentary complex, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa requested the UNP to lend the elephant symbol to contest the upcoming general election.

Need two-thirds majority to repeal 19A: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), which remains confident of mustering a two-thirds majority at the general election, said the parliamentary majority was needed not to enjoy privileges but to serve the public in an efficient manner including to repeal the 19th Amendment.

Sajith invites UNP MPs to join SJB

Speaking at the launch of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) held today at Nelum Pokuna, its leader Sajith Premadasa invited all UNP MPs to be part of his new alliance.

Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes released into the wild

The pilot project to release Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes to the environment was launched today in Nugegoda.

Allegiance to Maithri hinges upon policies: Mahinda Yapa

State Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said today their allegiance to former President Maithripala Sirisena was limited to policies of the new alliance. He said this in response to a question raised at a news briefing held at the SLPP head office in Battaramulla.

Parliament dissolved, nominations accepted between March 12 and 19

The Extraordinary Gazette notification dissolving Parliament would be published tonight by the Government Printers after the President placed his signature by virtue of powers vested in him.

Heroin and Ice valued at Rs. 6 bn found in four vessels

Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau during a joint operation found a haul of 400 kilogrammes of heroin and about 100 kilogrammes of substance believed to be ICE amounting Rs. 6 billion from four vessels in the international waters some 1111 kilometers away from Sri Lankan shores, the Navy said.

PCoI probing Easter attacks hands over second interim report to President

The second interim report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe into the Easter Sunday terror attacks was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the presidential Secretariat today.

I will attack like eagles do: Maithri

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said on Sunday that he would attack just like eagles do.

Namal invites Sajith to contest from Hambantota

MP Namal Rajapaksa yesterday invited UNP deputy leader Sajith Premadasa not to leave Hambantota district and contest the upcoming General Elections from the Hambantota district.

Pilapitiya issued summons to appear in Court

Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court today issued summons on interdicted Judge Gihan Pilapitiya to appear in the Court on April 02.

UNP will contest under elephant: Ravi K

The United National Party (UNP) will contest the upcoming general election under the elephant symbol, UNP Assistant Leader MP Ravi Karunanayake said today.

32 suspects re-remanded over vandalising Buddha statues

Thirty-two suspects who were arrested in connection with vandalizing at least four Buddha statues in Mawanella, were remanded till March 16 by Mawanella Magistrate Upul Rajakaruna today.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya launched

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya was launched with the endorsement of the UNP Working Committee, its General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

STF seizes over Rs 100 mn heroin in Kelaniya

One suspect had been arrested with over 10 kgs of heroin valued over Rs. 100 million at Wanawasala in Kelaniya this morning, the STF said.

22 undergrads further remanded

Twenty-two university students including the convenor of the Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Ven. Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thera were further remanded till March 16 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today.

Coronavirus: Global death toll exceeds 3,000

The number of people killed worldwide by the coronavirus has exceeded 3,000, as China reported 42 more deaths. More than 90% of the total deaths are in Hubei, the Chinese province where the virus emerged late last year, BBC reported.

CR & FC faces ‘potential’ ban from SLR

CR and FC hit a historical low on Sunday when they opted to walk off an ongoing league encounter against Police Sports Club at Police Park which resulted in home-side receiving a bonus-point victory putting them in pole position to finish second in the tournament.

Samagi Jana Balavegaya to be launched today

The official launching of Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB), the new coalition formed under the leadership of United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will be held today at the Nelum Pokuna assembly hall in Colombo.

Prisons congestion worsens, new prison on the cards

The congestion in 30 prisons in the country including Welikada prison has come to a head with more than 26,000 inmates being housed in them where only 10,000 could be detained, prison sources said.

Act wisely and elect a govt. for economic and political stability: RW

People should think wisely and elect a bold Parliament which could bring about economic and political stability instead of a government which would create a nation which goes begging, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.

UNP WC majority wants elephant symbol

UNP working committee meeting ended without a final decision with majority wanting to contest the general election under the elephant symbol whilst Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa demanding that MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara as the General Secretary of the party if the party and the alliance to go with elephant.

Beginning of a new political journey: Sajith

Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa yesterday said he and others representing various political parties will begin a new political journey with the launch of Samagi Jana Balawegaya today.