Category: Local News

Licensed Banks not asked to ‘devalue’ Sri Lanka Rupee – CBSL

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) refutes the claims that it has requested licensed banks to ‘devalue’ the Sri Lankan Rupee.



Rishad Bathiudeen further remanded

Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, was remanded until the 01st of September.



Cabinet nod to import 6,000 Metric Tonnes of rice from Pakistan

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Minister has approved a proposal to import 6,000 metric tonnes of rice as per the provisions of the Sri Lanka – Pakistan Free Trade Agreement.



Chief News Editor of ‘Sunday Island’ Suresh Perera dies of COVID-19

Chief News Editor of the ‘Sunday Island’ Suresh Perera succumbed to Covid-19 last evening while receiving treatment at the Colombo South Teaching Hospital.



Country in critical COVID-19 level 4 stage – GMOA

The GMOA has warned that by the end of this year the country will probably face a dangerous and uncontrollable situation with regard to the spread of COVID-19…



Karu asks government to provide masks, disinfectants, quarantine kits to the poor free

The government should initiate a programme to provide masks, disinfectants and quarantine kits free of charge to those who cannot afford them Karu Jayasuriya, Chairman, National Movement for a Just Society said yesterday issuing a press release.



Navy Ship leaves for India to bring medical oxygen

The Naval Ship ‘Shakthi’ left the Trincomalee harbour for the Port of Chennai, India last morning (17) for a shipment of medical grade oxygen to Sri Lanka.



Azath Salley remanded until August 31

Former Western Province Governor Azath Salley has been remanded until the 31st of August. The order was issued by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.



171 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Monday (16)

Sri Lanka yesterday recorded the highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a single day.



Daily wage earners must not be forgotten – Keheliya

Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella says the government will adopt a neutral policy despite various requests to impose a lockdown in order to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic.



Sri Lanka signs Rs. 61.5 billion Term Facility with China Development Bank

The Government of Sri Lanka and the China Development Bank have entered into an agreement of RMB 2 billion – approximately Rs. 61.5 billion term Facility today (August 17), the Chinese Embassy in Colombo announced.



Three new Delta variant mutations found in Sri Lanka

The Delta Variant of COVID 19 which has mutated into three different variants (SA 222V, SA 701S, SA 1078S) were identified in Sri Lanka, State Minister Channa Jaysumana told Parliament today (17).



Positive response from President for Ranil’s all party meeting

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has responded positively to a request made by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to call for an all party meeting when the two leaders met today, an official statement from the UNP said.



Duties, functions of Namal Rajapaksa’s new ministry gazetted

A new Gazette Extraordinary has specified the duties, functions and institutional & legal framework of the Ministry of Development Coordination and Monitoring.



New Media Minister to launch TV channels for children

New Minister of Mass Media Dullas Alahapperuma says TV channels will be launched in two weeks for children who are missing out on school education owing to the COVID-19 crisis.



Over 300,000 adults still to receive vaccine – Professor Jayasumana

State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana yesterday said that more than 300,000 adults aged 60 and over of the country’s population have not received even a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.