Category: Local News

Navy assists to douse fire onboard MV X-Press pearl ship

Sri Lanka Navy responding immediately to a distress call of fire erupted onboard a container ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’ in the afternoon of 20th May 2021, promptly dispatched 02 Offshore Patrol Vessels, Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Sagara, Sindurala and a Fast Attack Craft to the scene of fire.



Suspect arrested for conducing classes on extremist ideologies

A suspect who organized extremist classes of Saharan Hashim was arrested by the Terrorist Investigation Unit (TID) in the Hemmatagama area in Mawanella.



Minister Namal Rajapaksa urges public to donate blood

Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa on Wednesday requested the public to visit National Youth Corps Centres throughout the country next week and donate blood to address the shortage of blood at the blood bank in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Nine Grama Niladhari divisions in three districts isolated

Nine Grama Niladhari divisions in three districts have been placed under isolation with immediate effect, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.



Lockdown country for two weeks – Ranil

Instead of wasting time to secure vaccines, the government must take steps to control the rapid spread of COVID-19, UNP leader and former PM, Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.



38 more die of COVID-19: Death toll increases to 1,089

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 1,089 with 38 more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today (20), the Government Information Department said.



Parliamentary Council approves Sanjay Rajaratnam as new Attorney General

The Parliamentary Council has approved the appointment of Acting Solicitor General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC as the new Attorney General (AG) following the retirement of the incumbent Attorney General, Parliament sources said.



Second reading of the proposed Port City Bill passed in Parliament

The second reading of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill has been passed in Parliament with a majority of 89 votes.



Ambulances permitted to use expressways free of charge

All ambulances will be allowed to use the expressways free of charge until further notice, Ministry of Highways announced today (May 20).



Sri Lanka President rejects China-backed port’s ‘debt trap’ image

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday vowed to balance diplomatic ties between China and India – the two Asian giants competing for strategic influence in the Indian Ocean – while defending controversial Chinese infrastructure projects.



Mujibur Rahman tests COVID-19 positive

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Mujibur Rahman has tested positive for COVID-19.



UNICEF and Australia deliver oxygen concentrators and other equipment to Sri Lanka

UNICEF, with the support of Australia, has procured and delivered a consignment of urgently needed oxygen concentrators and other vital equipment to the Ministry of Health in support of Sri Lanka’s ongoing response to Coronavirus (COVID-19).



Public Forced to Buy Covishield Jab for Rs 5,000 – GMOA

The GMOA said they had received confidential information to the effect that the public had been forced to purchase the second dose of the Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine at a cost of Rs 5,000.



Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka thanks Prime Minister, President

Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka  told Parliament yesterday that he was thankful to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for their blessings to win the war against the LTTE in 2009 in their then capacities as the President and Defence Secretary respectively.



5 Grama Niladhari divisions in Batticoloa isolated with immediate effect

Five Grama Niladhari (GN) divisions in Batticoloa have been isolated from this morning with immediate effect, Head of the National Operations Center for Prevention of COVID-19, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.



36 more die of COVID-19: Death toll increases to 1,051

The COVID-19 death toll in Sri Lanka climbed to 1,051 with 36 more deaths being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today (19), the Government Information Department said.