Category: Local News

Government needs to start implementing its plan for reconciliation

The report on Sri Lanka of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has been much stronger than anticipated. It has shattered the belief that Sri Lanka was too important a country, in geopolitical terms, for the international community to use to prove a point.



All parties should honour Memorandum of Cooperation – India

The Indian High Commission in Colombo reiterated the Indian Government’s expectations and expeditious implementation of the trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in May 2019 between the Governments of India, Japan and Sri Lanka for the development of East Container Terminal (ECT).



Sri Lanka confirms 7 more COVID-19 deaths

Seven more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.



Cabinet agrees to Develop East Terminal under Sri Lanka Ports Authority – West Terminal with India

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to develop the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA).



East Container Terminal to be operated 100% by Sri Lanka Ports Authority – Prime Minister

The East Container Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port will be operated 100% by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.



Presidential commission on Easter Sunday attacks hands over final report to President

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing Easter Sunday attacks handed over its final report to the Sri Lanka President a short while ago.



Teacher arrested after Schoolgirl drowned in Walawe River

A school teacher in Kaltota was arrested in connection with the death of a schoolgirl who drowned while bathing with 14 other students in the Walawe River.



Ranil calls for regional virus research and disease control centre to be established

United National Party (UNP) Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday called for a South Asian centre for virus research and disease control to be established in Sri Lanka, pointing out that Sri Lanka and the region needs to be better prepared to face any future health crisis.



President says policy decision required to legalise cannabis in Sri Lanka

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said a policy decision has to be taken to legalise the cannabis in Sri Lanka in order to develop it as a medicinal crop in the future.



Government to develop East Container Terminal fully, remaining terminal on paper open for foreign investment

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has accepted a proposal by 22 port trade unions aimed at resolving a crisis over the proposed handing over of the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo harbour to India’s Adani Group.



Sri Lanka won’t be swayed by foreign dictates – Minister

Sri Lanka will not be governed according to the dictates of other countries and organisations, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said.



Sri Lanka confirms 3 more COVID-19 deaths

Three more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information confirmed a short while ago.



Three men dead after vehicle hits parapet wall

Three persons were killed when a car veered off the road and crashed into a concrete pillar near the Air Force Camp in Ekala, Ja-Ela, police said.



Sachet packets, inflatable toys, plastic cotton buds banned

A gazette notification has been issued banning the use of several plastic and polyethene products from the 31st of March 2021.



Sri Lanka must retain ownership of all Terminals – Nalinda

The JVP says Sri Lanka should retain absolute ownership of all Container Terminals of the Colombo Harbour.



Sri Lanka Ports Authority operations gazetted as an essential service

An extraordinary gazette was issued yesterday (30) declaring the operations of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) as essential services.