Son of COVID-19 patient not infected with virus : Health Ministry

Referring to the false rumors that the son of the first Sri Lankan COVID-19 infected patient has also been infected with the virus, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said today that the rumors were utterly false.

Trump suspends travel from Europe to US

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new travel restrictions on Europe in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Won’t charge fees from passengers under quarantine: Army

No fee would be charged from the passengers who are directly being sent to quarantine centres in Punani and Kandakadu, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Seven arrested over fatal clash at Negombo hotel

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the clash at a hotel at Periyamulla in Negombo where a 36-year-old was hacked to death, Police said.

First batch sent to Batticaloa Campus

The first batch of passengers who were to be quarantined, sent to the Batticaloa Campus quarantine centre yesterday. The Health Ministry has set up three quarantine centres at three locations - Batticaloa campus, the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation centre, Polonnaruwa, and the Leprosy Hospital Hendala.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

General election - NPP to contest in all districts: Anura

The National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday they were preparing to contest the general election in all districts and would field candidates, who are educated, principled and untainted by fraud and corruption.

Arrest warrant issued on Ravi

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake issued arrest warrants on MP Ravi Karunanayake and nine others over the Central Bank bond scam.

Decision on issuing arrest warrants on Ravi, others at 2.30pm

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake postponed the court session till 2.30 p.m. today to deliver the decision whether to issue arrest warrants on MP Ravi Karunanayake and 11 others over the Central Bank bond scam.

Special quarantine team for Katchatheevu feast

As many as 3,000 pilgrims from India are scheduled to attend the annual Katchatheevu feast, a special quarantine team of the Health Ministry has been sent as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Navy said yesterday.

Heavy traffic in front of Leprosy Hospital, Hendala

Heavy traffic was reported along the road in front of the Leprosy Hospital in Hendala, Wattala due to a protest organised by the residents against the government’s move to declare the hospital as a quarantine centre for coronavirus.

Govt. infected with COVID-19: NBF

The present Government has lost its popularity by fifty per cent within the first hundred days, like a man infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19), National Bhikkhu Front (NBF) General Secretary Ven. Wakamulle Uditha Thera said.

I’m not behind it

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa today refuted the claims made by the government that he had got the election commission to cancel the appointments given to 44,000 unemployed graduates in the state sector and said he will provide employment to them within a week if elected as the Prime Minister.

70 students in Wariyapola Hospitalised Due to an Allergy

At least 70 students of a school in Wariyapola were hospitalised because of an allergy, Police said.

Suspects, vessels escorted to Dikovita fisheries harbour

The 21 suspects, including 16 foreigners (eight Pakistani and eight Iranian) arrested along with the haul of 400 kgs heroin and 100 kgs ICE drug (Methamphetamine) worth around Rs. 6 billion in the deep seas about 600 nautical miles (1111km) away from Sri Lankan shores, would be detained for further questioning, Police said.

UNP ready to make maximum sacrifice to avoid any division: Vajira

The United National Party (UNP) today said it was ready to make a maximum sacrifice to avoid a division of the party.

Crocodile may have entered expressway through drainage: Official

Commenting on the viral video footage of a crocodile crossing the southern expressway, a senior official attached to the expressway said animals had a chance of entering expressways through rainwater drainage systems.

Two fractions of UNP to sign MoU to contest poll

Two fractions of the UNP which have expressed different views on the symbol which should be used for the general election are slated to sign an MoU to contest the poll in uniformity, former MP Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Akila to resign as UNP General Secretary

UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said he had informed party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that he had decided to step down from the post.

Kapila Chandrasena, wife released on bail

Former CEO of SriLankan Airlines Kapila Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Wijenayake, who were remanded in connection with the controversial Airbus deal, were released today on a cash bail of Rs.2 million with two sureties of Rs.20 million each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake.

I will contest from UNP: Mervyn

Former Minister Mervyn Silva said yesterday that he would contest the General Elections under United National Party (UNP) and its elephant symbol.

People suffered when leaders tried to be eagles: Mahinda

It was people who had to suffer when leaders of the previous Government attempted to be eagles, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said during an event held at Kurunegala yesterday.

Ministry requests police to probe drunkard harassing foreign couple

A video which shows a drunken local man verbally harassing a foreign couple during the cricket match between Sri Lanka and West Indies held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota, has gone viral on social media.

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.