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.

Two CID teams to arrest Ravi, eight others over bond scam

Two teams of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials are searching to arrest former MP Ravi Karunanayake and eight others over the Central Bank bond scam, Police Spokesman SP Jaliya Senarathna said today.

Kerala coronavirus patients recovered without drugs: Expert

The three people from Kerala who contracted coronavirus (Covid-19) recovered without the use of any drugs, and India has adequate supply of the combination of two antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS and are being used to treat Sars-CoV-2, said a scientist at one of the labs run by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on the condition of anonymity, the Indian media reported.

Bakers from Sri Lanka feel the heat

Three Sri Lankan bakers who moved to a quiet town in Romania to work in a bread factory have unexpectedly found themselves at the centre of an anti-immigration storm, the BBC reported.

Quarter of Italian population put under virus lockdown

More than 15 million people were placed under forced quarantine in northern Italy early Sunday as the government approved drastic measures in an attempt to halt the spread of the deadly coronavirus that is sweeping the globe.

Coronavirus threat - Induces UAE based billionaire postpone SL visit

Lulu Group International Chairman and Managing Director, UAE based Indian billionaire, Yusuff Ali has postponed this month’s visit to Sri Lanka to discuss millions of dollars worth of investments with the government amid fears of the global coronavirus threat, the Daily Mirror learns.

Passengers from Italy, Korea, Iran to be sent to Batti Campus for quarantine

All passengers arriving from Italy, South Korea and Iran would be sent to the Batticaloa Private University and the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre to be quarantined for 14 days for coronavirus, the Health Ministry said.

No Lankans or foreigners infected by coronovirus

None of the Sri Lankans or foreigners who had arrived in Sri Lanka from coronavirus-affected countries such as Korea, Italy or China were found to have been infected by the deadly virus though 14 Sri Lankans and two foreigners were under medical observation at several hospitals, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said yesterday.

PTL Director arrested, remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Director Muthuraja Surendran was arrested over the Central Bank bond scam by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today.

K’negala Hospital Director planning to contest election

The United National Party (UNP) is to complain to the Election Commission against the Kurunegala Hospital Director who is planning to contest the election on the SLPP ticket while being employed in the government sector.

UNP informs EC that it will contest general elections

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has informed the Election Commission today that the UNP will contest for all 22 districts at the upcoming General Elections, party sources said.