Levy on imported fish upped to Rs 150 per kilo

Special Commodity Levy (SCL) imposed on imported fish had been increased by Rs 150 per kilo from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya to contest under SLPP & Pohottuwa

Sri Lanka Nidahas Podujana Sandanaya, the recently formed alliance led by SLPP and SLFP, will contest the upcoming General Elections under the Sri Lanka Podujana Permauna (SLPP) and its lotus bud symbol (Pohottuwa), the SLPP informed the Election Commission today.

Pope Francis tested negative for coronavirus

The Pope, who has been suffering from a cold, was tested for the coronavirus and the results came back negative, a report said Tuesday.

AG directs IGP to arrest Ravi, Mahendran and Aloysius

The Attorney General today directed the acting IGP to obtain warrants for the arrest of several people including former minister Ravi Karunanayaka, former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran, Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius, PTL CEO Kasun Palisena and former Public Debt Department (PDD) Director Sarathchandra in connection with the Central Bank bond scam.

SL High Commissioner to UK assumes duties

High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom Saroja Sirisena assumed duties on Monday, the High Commission today said.

Man killed in shootout in Middeniya

A 36-year-old man was killed after an unidentified gunman opened fire at him in Middeniya a short while ago, Police said.

Ranil says will continue talks with Sajith

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told party organizers at Sirikotha today that he would continue to hold discussions with Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa in efforts to ensure that the UNP to contested the general election without a split.

20 school boys detained for entering into girls schools released

The 20 students of Royal College in Colombo, who were taken into custody today for allegedly entering into two girls schools in the Kollupitiya area, were released after being reprimanded, police said.

US Ninth Circuit Court vacates ruling on President Rajapaksa

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal of the United States on Friday February 28 allowed the Appeal Petition filed by Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of the slain Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, to vacate the Lower Court’s ruling which was delivered on October 22, 2019.

Netanyahu claims victory after exit polls show narrow lead

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed victory in Israel’s general election, with early results putting him ahead of main rival Benny Gantz.

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.