Clarifying the fuel price hike, the Presidential Media Division (PMD) said today that it was only a key factor of a common strategy aiming to strengthen the local economy.

The fuel prices in Sri Lanka remain to be the lowest prices in South Asia, even after the fuel price hike, State Minister of Finance, Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal said.

Administering the second dose of the Russian-made Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine took place in Angoda and Gothatuwa today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi and Nimalsiri Edirisinghe

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the decision to increase fuel prices was taken by the Cabinet sub-committee on cost of living and the written approval of the Prime Minister being the Finance Minister and he, as the subject minister had only mad

The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said today they will be going to the Supreme Court next week against the moves to import 227 Prado SUVs for the MPs, claiming that it was illegal.

The Dehiwala Police and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) yesterday raided a two-storey luxury house at Nedimala Rubber Estate Road in Dehiwala for distributing expired medicines.

The Vavuniya Police have arrested five youth in connection with the attack on a bus transporting garment workers in the Muruganoor area in Vavuniya.

Construction work on the Central Expressway in the Gampaha District has been temporarily suspended until a final decision is reached after reviewing the construction plan, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

The daughter of notorious drug trafficker and underworld gangster Muniyandi Vappu Balan popularly known as “Thel Bala’’, has been arrested with heroin in Grandpass area.

Nine suspects have been arrested with 200kg of heroin during a joint operation conducted in Mirissa in Weligama this morning, police said.

Another turtle washed shore dead to the Galle Face after the burning of the MV X-Press Pearl in Sri Lankan waters. So far, more than ten turtles and several fish have been washed ashore. Pix by Samantha Perera

A total of 63 more COVID-19 deaths were reported increasing the death toll in Sri Lanka to 2136, the Government Information Department said yesterday.

The eligibility age for children for recruitment has been raised from 14 to 16 years, the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said the Energy Minister should take the responsibility over the fuel price hike and step down from his post.

The Galle Magistrate today ordered the Director of Southern Expressway to submit the CCTV footage of the vehicles that exit from the Pinnaduwa Exit Point on June 5 and 7 to the Galle Divisional Crimes Investigation Division.

Hosting parties and other functions are strictly prohibited especially during weekends and public are requested to inform the nearest police station or police 119 hotline immediately if such activities are taking place in secret, police said.

A total of 1,633 more COVID-19 patients have been detected so far today, the Health Ministry said.

A total of 2,426 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospitals increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 186,516, the Health Ministry said.

A car crashed into the Coffee Bean cafe at Maitland Crescent in Colombo 07 yesterday causing damages to both the cafe and the vehicle.

The prices of bakery products might increase if the government grants permission to the prime flour importing companies to increase their prices, All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) President N.K. Jayawardene said.

Administering the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine took place in Mattegoda today. A large number of people were seen queuing to get the vaccine. Pix by Nisal Baduge

While urging the government to withdraw the increased fuel price without burdening the people further who are already hit by the pandemic and loss of income, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today questioned as to why the ’Fuel Price Stabilisati

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued yesterday stating that all existing rice producers, millers, paddy or rice collectors, store owners, distributors or paddy or rice wholesellers should get registered with the Consumer Affairs Authority

China reported 35 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for June 11, up from 22 a day earlier, the country’s health authority said on Saturday.

Considering the series of leopard deaths that have taken place in the hill country, the wild life department is conducting inspections to protect the endangered animals, wildlife sources said.

Following the removal of the Old Bogambara Prison, setting up a special restaurant to get an idea of ​​prison life will be one of the projects in the premises in addition to the museum, the Prisons Department said.

A total of 62 more COVID-19 deaths were reported yesterday increasing the death toll in Sri Lanka to 2073, the Government Information Department said.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources with the assistance of Navy today launched a project to culture artificial reef off the Delft Island. Through this project, it is expected to enhance biodiversity in the coastal waters off the islands

Three Ukrainian-built Antonov-32 transport aircraft belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) which were sent to Ukraine for overhaul purposes, were brought back to the country today. The three AN-32B aircraft were sent to Ukraine in August last ye

The Ministry of Energy today announced the new CEYPETCO fuel prices which will come into effect from midnight today.