The Excise Department granted liquor manufacturer W.M. Mendis & Co. Ltd. which had defaulted on excise duty amounting to more than Rs.1 billion permission to restart operations after reaching an agreement with the company to settle all of its tax arrears once it starts producing liquor in its distilleries.

Sri Lanka received another one million doses of Sinopharm vaccines this morning for the rollout of the second dose.

Sri Lanka has reported another 14 cases of the highly transmissible Delta coronavirus variant, Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said.

Education Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris said they hope to launch a practical programme to reopen schools with less than 100 children in July as an initial step.

SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said the ‘43rd brigade’, the movement led by him, is ready to give leadership to a common political platform against the ruling party.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has taken steps to provide immediate solutions to five out of the seven demands put forward by the Public Services United Nurses’ Union.

Sri Lanka can not depend on China alone and follow a confrontational and isolationist policy with the international community, former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said in a statement yesterday. The Westphalian concept of sovereignty was no longer valid and Sri Lanka must abide by its international obligations for the betterment of its own people, he said.

One million doses of Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines arrived into the country this morning (02).

The Government has taken a firm decision to fine Rs.100,000 from traders selling rice above the stipulated prices mentioned by the Government effective from July 1.

The All Island Bakery Owners Association says the price of a loaf of bread including bakery products will not be increased.

The need to protect workers and ensure job security during COVID-19 was highlighted by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 30 June at Temple Trees during a discussion on issues faced by the Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA) and the Sri Lanka Retailers Association (SLRA).

An Army Major General involved in a clash with a group of wildlife officers on the 23rd of June in Habarana, has been arrested after surrendering to Police.

Deputy Solicitor General, Madawa Tennakoon yesterday told Colombo Magistrate’s Court that 176 turtles, 20 dolphins and four whales had been killed by the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said that the employees said to be wearing camouflage uniforms at a function in Tissahaharama were not members of the People’s Liberation Army.

An Extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued extending the retirement age of medical officers of all grades to 63 years.