Category: Local News

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said yesterday that the primary cause of the prevailing downfall of the economy is the COVID-19 pandemic and the Government is taking swift measures to revitalize the economy.

The Commercial High Court yesterday further extended the enjoining order issued to the People’s Bank and local shipping company until 19 November, preventing the payment of letters of credit to the local agent who imported organic fertiliser from Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd.

While noting the demand for kerosene has surged in recent times, Minister of Energy, Udaya Gammanpila said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is incurring a daily loss of Rs. 23 million by selling a kerosene litre at Rs. 33. This, he said, was despite the demand for kerosene being doubled suddenly.

Sixteen trade unions in total affiliated to the health sector launched a token strike at 7.00 a.m. this morning (November 09).

A 23-year-old woman has died after a house was damaged in an earth slip in the area of Wennoruwa, Narammala this morning (November 09).

Three persons have died while another person has been hospitalised with injuries following an earth slip at Dombemada in Rambukkana Divisional Secretariat area in Kegalle District this morning (09).

British-Sri Lankan businessman, Allirajah Subaskaran, who came under Opposition’s attack during the Yahapalana regime and was implicated on money laundering charges has arrived in the island

A heated argument ensued in Parliament yesterday following a demand by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that the government table the Yugadanavi agreement and the report of the Glasgow Summit attended by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The Attorney General (AG) yesterday informed the Supreme Court that Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando will not be arrested at present in connection with a complaint made by Major General Suresh Salley.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Lakshman Kiriella requested Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa to consider recalling the Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, and Dhanushka Gunatileke, to the National Side.

A grandmother of seven who emigrated from Sri Lanka has become the oldest person to earn a master’s degree at Canada’s York University — where she turned her passion for peace and learning into a political science degree.

Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella says there are no legal obstacles to prevent individuals who are not fully vaccinated from entering public places.

Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd, the Chinese company that supplied the controversial stock of fertilizer, demanded US $ 8 million from the Additional Director – National Plant Quarantine Services Dr. W.A.R. T.  Wickramaarachchi within three days starting from November 5 and warned of legal action otherwise.

Whilst stating that the SJB is not seen as an alternative by the people, MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka yesterday stressed for a programme to woo the dejected SLPP members at the grass root level through an effective propaganda machinery.

There has been no government in the known history of this country that incurred so much public displeasure within such a short time as two years, JVP MP DR Harini Amarasuriya said on Saturday.

The Health Services Chief warned of restrictions being re-imposed with the spike in COVID cases.