The government says that a mechanism has been formulated to provide the organic fertilizer required for the Maha Season to the farmers without any shortage.

Gazette notifications have been issued today declaring maximum retail prices for sugar and rice with effect from today (September 02).

204 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for September 01, increasing the death toll to 9,604.

A large volume of brown and white sugar weighing up to 167,000 kg has been recovered from a warehouse in the area of Uyandana, Kurunegala.

A mobile phone has been found in the possession of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who is currently in remand custody at the Magazine Prison.

The government has decided to impose control prices on a number of essential commodities to curb the rising cost of living and inflation.

While claiming that the Covid pandemic could not be overcome by locking down the country, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said yesterday what was important was the people’s cooperation and their adherence to health practices.

The government has rejected media reports that had claimed there is a shortage of essential food items in the country, including rice and sugar.

The Commissioner General of Essential Services Major General N.D.S.P. Niwunhella said yesterday that 29,900 metric tons (MT) of hoarded sugar found in warehouses had been confiscated by the Government following the investigations and operations carried out.

State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal says that in spite of pressure mounting on the government to extend the current lockdown further, it should tread cautiously.

215 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for August 31, increasing the death toll to 9,400.

The Chief Justice has appointed a special three-member panel of judges to hear the case regarding the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.

Cutting down expenditure and distribution of essential food items under emergency laws will not help the current financial crisis, an SJB MP said yesterday.

An ongoing probe by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the recent seizure of narcotics, weapons and ammunition has led to speculation that an international drug running and weapon trading racket is aimed at reviving the Sri Lankan Tamil separatist group LTTE, Indian media reported on Tuesday (Aug. 31).

It is the duty of everyone to maintain financial discipline at a time when the country is in a financially difficult period, Co-Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

Sri Lankan reserves have been strengthened by the receipt of an influx of USD 787 Million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and USD 150 Million from Bangladesh Central Bank as a swap arrangement, says Finance Secretary S.R. Attygalle.