Polling time does not differ much due to health guidelines-EC

The Election Commission which conducted a mock poll today found out that polling time would not differ much due to the guidelines stipulated by the health authorities in view of Covid-19, an official said.

UFO spotted in several areas: Prof. Jayaratne

An object suspected to be an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) was visible in several areas around the country last night, the Department of Physics, Colombo University said.

‘Gonakovile Raja’ shot dead in police confrontation

An underworld figure Pathiranage Raja Wimaladharma alias ’ Gonakovile Raja’, the main suspect of the shooting incident at an eatery in Soysapura, Moratuwa, has been shot dead by the police early this morning in Minuwangoda.

Three drowned while bathing in Garadi Ella

A man, his daughter and another girl were drowned while bathing in Garandi Ella at Madolsima today, police said.

US diplomat refusing PCR test is so disappointing: Namal

Expressing disappointment over the incident where a senior diplomat of the US Embassy leaving the airport without a PCR test, former MP Namal Rajapaksa said what was needed now was cooperation and respect more than ever.

At no time, we felt sorry for ourselves- Sanga recalls Lahore attack

Legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara recalled the horrific terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team bus in Pakistan during 2009 tour. It was March 3, 2009, Sri Lanka team took the bus for the Day 3 of the second Test match of the series, and just outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 12 armed men attacked them.

A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse tomorrow night

The second penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020 will begin on June 5th night at 11.15 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time, when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon said Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, the Director of Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University.

Paying income tax during lock-down period: Cabinet approves not to charge any fine

The Cabinet has decided not to charge any fine on income tax during the lock-down period (till June 20, 2020), Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said.

Mahendran living in Singapore safely & happily under a different name: Maithri

The prime suspect of the Central Bank bond scam case Arjuna Mahendran has changed his name and living in Singapore safely and happily, former President Maithripala Sirisena claimed today.

Decision on date for elections next Monday

A decision on the date for the General Election would be made at the Election Commission’s next meeting scheduled for Monday (8), its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Health guidelines for election to be issued

The health guidelines to be followed by the Elections Commission (EC), election officials, voters, employees of the public, political parties and candidates and private sector the media and the public would be issued today, Director General Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

Two including PC killed in accident

A Police Constable and a civilian were killed after the motorcycle they were travelling in crashed onto a lorry in Kanagarayankulam on the Colombo-Kandy A9 Road this morning, the police said.

291 Lankans stranded in Singapore return

A total of 291 Sri Lankans stranded in Singapore due to COVID-19 pandemic, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today, the Airport Duty Manager said.

Dissolution of Parliament and election date: SC dismisses FR petitions

The Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chairman and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardene and Vijith Malalgoda today on a unanimous decision refused to grant leave to proceed to the seven fundamental rights petitions challenging the dissolution of Parliament and on the general election date.

Faulty method washed away millions of rupees- fmr UNP MPs

Former State Minister of Environment Ajith Mannapperuma, along with former MPs S.M. Marikkar and Hirunika Premachandra, said today the true reason for the washing away of the Mount Lavinia beach was the use of a faulty method to fill up the coast.

Colombo South beach nourishment project a success: CCD

Despite severe backlash from environmentalists, the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) reiterated today that the Colombo South beach nourishment project was a success.

PM sworn-in as Social Empowerment Minister

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Minister of Social Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development, the portfolio previously held by late Minister Arumugam Thondaman.

Indian Navy ship arrives to repatriate 700 stranded Indians

Indian Navy ship INS Jalashwa arrived at the Colombo Port this morning to bring back 700 stranded Indians under the second phase of Operation ’’Samudra Setu’’ as a part of the ’’Vande Bharat’’ mission.

Artificial beach not washed away, creating natural beach according to new technique: CCD

The washing away of sand heaps, which was filled for the construction of the artificial beach between Kalutara and Mount Lavinia, was not sea erosion but the method adopted in creating artificial beaches using natural forces, the Coast Conservation Department (CCD) said.

Rare black leopard dies during rescue; Underscores need to ban snare traps

Snare traps that are being laid to save vegetable plots from attacks by wild boar and other animals have become life threatening to leopards, especially in the Central Highlands.

We will free the UNP from wheeler dealers: SJB

Claiming it is the real United National Party (UNP), the former UNP MPs who joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday its Working Committee had decided to free the party from the clutches of those whom SJB alleged were involved in deals with the government.

SF also gives statement to CCD over COVID-19 remarks

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka arrived at the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) today to give a statement over the remarks he made with regard to COVID-19 situation in the country, allegedly resulting in Coronavirus fear-mongering among the general public.

UNP suspends membership of Sajith and 98 others

The United National Party (UNP) working committee today approved the suspension of the party membership of its deputy leader Sajith Premadasa and 98 other former ministers, MPs, provincial councillors and organizers.

2,500 milch cows to be imported from Australia

The government plans to import 2,500 milch cows from Australia in a bid to make Sri Lanka self sufficient from milk by 2025 and also restrict importing of milk powder that costs the government Rs. 50 billion annually, Cabinet spokesman Minister Ramesh Pathirana said today.

I have sent 1st Letter of Demand to Iraj: Harin

Former UNP minister Harin Fernando said he has sent the first Letter of Demand (LOD) to musician Iraj Weeraratne.

Gaffoor Building in Colombo isolated

The Gaffoor Building in Colombo Fort which is used by the navy has been isolated after a navy driver was tested positive for COVID-19, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

The First Sri Lankan to cross the Arctic Circle Trail

Sri Lankan born Sharlyn Stafford became the first Sri Lankan to join an all female team in the Pioneering Greenland Expedition organized by UN, HER Planet Earth back in March 2020. Raising funds and awareness for women affected by climate change, Sharlyn tells us about her grueling journey of crossing Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail.

Repatriate expats who are lifeblood of economy: Sajith

The government should give priority to Sri Lankan expatriates who wish to return to the country rather than focusing on bringing down COVID-19 patients from Seychelles for treatment, former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

Relaxing curfew: Country not 100 per cent normal, warns Dr Jasinghe

It was not mandatory to all staff members to report to work though the Police Curfew had been lifted, Health Services from today (26), Health Services Director General Anil Jasinghe said.

Disclose true financial position: Ranil tells Govt.

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today urged the government to reveal the true situation of the national economy.