Category: Local News

Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga said arrangements are underway to remove Sri Lanka from the COVID-19 red list countries. This is due to be done subsequent to discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the upcoming weeks.

Sri Lanka’s health authorities have warned that new COVID-19 clusters could emerge if wedding ceremonies and other events are conducted in violation of the COVID-19 health guidelines.

As much as 86 percent of the government’s revenue had been spent for the payment of salaries and remunerations in 2020 triggering public finance concerns for the country, and therefore this was not an appropriate time to grant a pay hike for teachers, trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

The three suspects including the wife of MP Rishad Bathiudeen who were arrested over the death of a 16-year-old domestic aide have been directed to the judicial medical officer of Colombo last evening (July 23).

The Health Ministry will soon amend health guidelines on weddings after hundreds of complaints had been received on behaviour that could lead to superspreader events, a ministry spokesman said.

Three persons including the wife and father-in-law of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen have been arrested in connection with the death of a 16-year old domestic aide at the former minister’s house, police said.

A revenue of Rs. 251 million has been received as tax from foreign teledramas and films telecast on local media from February 2021.

The Collective of Teachers & Principals Trade Unions protested in Colombo once again on Thursday (22) demanding a solution to their salary anomalies and the immediate withdrawal of the Kothelawala Defence University Bill.

The United States has donated 500,000 Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) as part of its commitment to support Sri Lanka’s fight against COVID-19.

Three soldiers were arrested for demanding ransom from drug traffickers in Negombo and Chilaw yesterday, police said.

Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa says that it is the responsibility of the people’s representatives and officials to act in a manner that does not cause inconvenience to the people at a time when the country is in some difficulty in the face of the COVID pandemic.

Two SriLankan Airlines flights carrying 2 million doses of Sinopharm vaccines have arrived in Sri Lanka, says State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana.

Former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra, the daughter of slain politician Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court challenging the legality of the Presidential Pardon granted by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva.

The Government yesterday assured that there would be no shortage of LPG and that prices would not be increased despite world market rates having risen sharply.

Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, yesterday (20), said the SJB’s decision to move a No-Confidence Motion against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila was a politically ‘foolish one’ and a Media stunt.

A tax system to charge goods imported online would be considered, Trade Minister Dr.Bandula Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday (20).