Allied health services workers to strike today

Hard on the heels of the protest staged outside the Health Ministry recently, 55,000 State health workers have warned they would launch a 48-hour (two-day) strike from 7 a.m. today (24)  demanding the Health Ministry resolve six of their issues including the implementation of the ‘Ranugge Salary Commission’ report.



Kinniya Ferry Accident: Residents attack MP Thowfeek’s house

The residence of Sri Lanka Muslim Congress MP M. S. Thowfeek in Kinniya has been attacked by a group of residents.



Registrar of Pesticides removed with immediate effect

Sri Lanka’s Registrar of Pesticides Dr. J.A. Sumith has been removed from his post with immediate effect and will be subject to disciplinary inquiry, said the Ministry of Agriculture today (23).



6 killed, 11 hospitalised after passenger ferry capsized in Kinniya

Six persons including two adults and four children have died and 11 others were hospitalised after a passenger ferry capsized in the Kuringankerni lagoon in Kinniya today (23).



Ten Sri Lankans smuggling over 3kg of gold nabbed at Indian airport

Eight women and two men, part of a Sri Lankan smuggling racket, who landed at the Bengaluru airport with gold weighing over 3 kg hidden in their bodies, were nabbed by the customs sleuths.



No change in green agriculture policy – President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stressed yesterday that the country’s agriculture policy will be based on a green agriculture system that focuses on the sole use of organic fertilizers.



Gazette banning pesticides including Glyphosate revoked

An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued by the Registrar of Pesticides revoking the Gazette issued in 2014 prohibiting the use and sale of several pesticides including Glyphosate.



Second Reading of Budget 2022 passed in Parliament

Second reading of the budget 2022 passed in Parliament with a majority of 93 votes when the vote was taken a short while ago.



Price of a rice packet and plain tea increased

Restaurant owners in Sri Lanka announced that the prices of a packet of rice and a cup of tea will be increased, given the rising cost of living.



Mobile phone found from Ranjan Ramanayake’s possession at Welikada prison hospital

A mobile phone and a hands-free headset were recovered from former MP Ranjan Ramanayake, who is currently at the Welikada Prison Hospital last night.



President issues gazette summoning Armed forces to maintain security

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has issued a special gazette notification summoning all members of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces to maintain security in all administrative districts and territorial waters of Sri Lanka.



AG reads out indictment including 855 charges against former IGP Pujith Jayasundara

The Attorney General today (22) read out before the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar, the indictment consisting of 855 charges against former IGP Pujith Jayasundara over the Easter Sunday attacks.



Sri Lanka continues to struggle with brand image, says tourism industry veteran

Although several plans have been conceptualised and rolled out for Sri Lanka’s tourism industry to move towards recovery, branding and positioning of the island nation is yet to be effectively executed, a tourism industry veteran highlighted.



Defeat hunger and then construct roads – Geetha

Before spending a colossal amount to construct and carpet roads, the Government should do something to ensure that people in the country have three square meals a day, SLPP MP Geetha Kumarasinghe said in Parliament.



Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe to vote for budget

SLPP MP Dr. Wijayadasa Rajapakshe said on Saturday that he would vote for the budget 2022 not because he subscribed to what was stated therein, but because the country needed a budget.



No decision to import chemical fertilizer – Minister

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage yesterday said permission has not been given to import chemical fertilizer for paddy and vegetable cultivation.