Sri Lanka is seeking $40 million in damages from the operator of a ship that left massive pollution when it caught fire off the country’s west coast, officials said Saturday.

While urging the government to withdraw the increased fuel price without burdening the people further who are already hit by the pandemic and loss of income, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today questioned as to why the ‘Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund’ was not utilised for the  benefit of the people.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has issued Extraordinary Gazette Notifications to importers, manufacturers, store owners, collectors, distributors, or wholesalers of rice, sugar, milk powder and maize.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association has requested the Minister of Health to increase allowances proportionate to the basic salaries of frontline health workers who are part of coronavirus mitigation efforts.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has decided to increase fuel prices with effect from midnight today (June 11), the Ministry of Energy says.

A female officer has been appointed as the Deputy Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), for the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Police.

Island-wide travel restrictions have been extended until 4:00 AM on the 21st of June.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Cost of Living has approved a proposal to increase fuel prices.

Sri Lanka on Thursday (June 10) confirmed 101 COVID-19 deaths, the highest number of COVID-19 deaths confirmed in a single-day in Sri Lanka.

28 health trade unions launched a strike action this morning based on several demands.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Vijitha Herath told journalists in Colombo yesterday (10) that the decision to use organic fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer was a good one but added it had a hidden agenda and what appears on the surface is not on the inside.

Another batch of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Moscow-based Gamaleya Research Institute, has arrived on the island early this morning (June 11).

Travel restrictions will be lifted at 04:00 a.m on 14 June as scheduled previously, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Patients with an infection of the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 (Alpha) UK variant of the coronavirus have been reported from multiple areas of the island.

With the likelihood of partial lockdown being extended in tandem with rising COVID-19 cases, State Minister Nivard Cabraal called for a finer balance between meeting health emergencies and economic development.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s request to Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihide Suga for  600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine has been met with a positive response.