Seafarer from Jinthupitiya tested negative for Covid-19

The seafarer from Jinthupitiya, Colombo 13, who had tested positive for Covid-19 few days ago, has been discharged from the hospital as five repeated PCR tests become negative, Health Services Director-General Dr Anil Jasinghe said.

EC to propose extending quarantine to 21 days

The three member Elections Commission will on July 6 discuss and submit a proposal to the health authorities to extend the quarantine period of those in centers and home to 21 days from the existing 14 days so that two PCR tests can be conducted on them before the August 5 General Elections.

12 more narcotics officers arrested

Twelve more officers including an Inspector of Police, a Sub Inspector attached to the Police Narcotics Unit were arrested by the CID for selling a consignment of drugs to a drug dealer, police sources said.

Economy is in shambles: Champika

Sri Lanka’s economy is slated to suffer a major breakdown soon as a result of wrong economic policies, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka alleged yesterday.

Gifted Sri Lankan elephant euthanized at 45 at Smithsonian’s Zoo

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in the United States announced the death of a female Sri Lankan elephant ‘Shanthi’.

US Supreme Court hands win to Trump in asylum case filed by SL man

The US Supreme Court on Thursday handed over a victory to the Donald Trump administration on the president’s signature issue of immigration, in relation to an asylum case filed by a Sri Lankan, NBC News reported.

Many complications in MCC: Committee informs President

The Expert’s Committee appointed to review the proposed Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)agreement in its final report said the agreement contained many complications and negative consequences.

Appeal Court stays Karannagoda’s case

Considering a Writ application, the Court of Appeal today gave an interim order staying the ongoing proceedings of the trial at bar in the Colombo High Court against Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, until the final hearing and determination of the Writ application.

FR filed in SC urging legal action against Karuna Amman

A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition was filed in the Supreme Court today urging legal action be taken against Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman and that he be arrested.

Mangala impressed by Harin

Former minister Mangala Samaraweera said today that he is impressed by Harin Fernando over the comments he recently made in relation to the Catholic Church.

Statement recorded from Mahindananda over match fixing

The Police have recorded a statement from former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage over his comment on 2011 World Cup final match fixing.

'I am sorry' Mahela responds

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Mahela Jayawardane today said that he will check with Thilanga Sumathipala before reacting to any comment in future.

Suspect whose bank account used in Kudu Anju’s transactions of Rs.490 million, arrested

The Western Province (South) Crimes officials have arrested a suspect, under whose name a bank account has been registered and under which transactions amounting to Rs.490 million belonging to underworld figure Sinhara Amal Silva alias ’Kudu Anju’ have been made.

Proposal was for a small plot of land near Golf Course & years ago: Sanga

Responding to remarks of former MP S.B. Dissanayake, former cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara said today that he did not ask for the Nuwara Eliya Golf Course to be given to him for 20 years and that his proposal, which was made years ago, was for a small plot of land adjacent to it.

Three member CB committee to look into irregularities at financial & leasing companies

The Central Bank has appointed a three-member committee to look into irregularities at financial and leasing companies, the President’s Media Division said.

I’m trying to keep election costs below Rs.10 Bn: EC Chief

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday he was trying his best to keep the costs for the August 5 general election below Rs.10 billion amid the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Govt. considering opening of BIA before August 1: Minister

The government is considering the reopening of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake prior to August 1,Tourism and Aviation Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

30 police officers including Kollupitiya OIC sent for quarantine

At least 30 police officers including the Kollupitiya Police OIC, who were on duties near the US embassy in Colombo to disperse the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) protesters, have been sent for quarantine, the Police said.

Preferential numbers of candidates gazetted

The extraordinary gazette with preferential numbers of candidates contesting the General Elections 2020 was published by the Government Printing Department a short while ago.

Printing of preferential numbers underway: Govt. Printer

The printing of candidates’ preferential numbers is in progress, Government Printer Mrs. Gangani Liyanage said, adding that the printing of preferential numbers in six districts and of dual ballot papers had already been completed.

UNP-SLPP main contenders in forthcoming poll: Ranil

There will be only two main political parties to contest this year’s general election, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told several UNP-led trade union members this morning at the party headquarters in Sirikotha.

SLTD issues tourism operational guidelines

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTD) has issued tourism operational guidelines as a move to resume tourism sector.

Ranil says Govt. not conducting adequate PCR tests

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged that serious problems have arisen regarding the government’s programme to control the spread of Covid-19 especially due to lack of testing.

Diplomat issue at BIA became a learning moment: Colombage

The incident of a senior US diplomat being given the green light to enter into the country sans a PCR test became a learning moment and resulted in the issuance of revised instructions for diplomats to be followed when arriving in Sri Lanka due to Covid-19, Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, the Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations, said today.

No decision yet to impose nationwide curfew on Sunday

The islandwide curfew which was imposed yesterday morning will be relaxed on Saturday morning at 4 am and there is no decision as yet to impose an islandwide curfew on Sunday, a senior official from the President’s Office told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

COVID-19 threat within society ’basically over’, says Army Chief

The threat from the COVID-19 within the society is almost basically over in Sri Lanka and authorities have formulated a plan to prevent a fresh threat emerging within the public from the infected persons who are being repatriated from overseas, Army Commander. Lt. General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Dissolution of Parliament and election date: SC dismisses FR petitions

The Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chairman and Justices Buwaneka Aluvihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardene and Vijith Malalgoda today on a unanimous decision refused to grant leave to proceed to the seven fundamental rights petitions challenging the dissolution of Parliament and on the general election date.

I placed signature 21,000 times to extradite Mahendran from Singapore: MS

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said that as the head of state, he placed his signature 21,000 times, over a period of three days, on documents compiled by the Attorney General in order to prepare for the extradition of the former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore.

Gaffoor Building in Colombo isolated

The Gaffoor Building in Colombo Fort which is used by the navy has been isolated after a navy driver was tested positive for COVID-19, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Islandwide curfew to be imposed on Sunday

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, after consulting health authorities and the tri force commanders on Wednesday night has decided to impose a nationwide curfew on Sunday to avoid the unnecessary congregation of people amidst a sudden spike in the number of COVID-19 patients.