553,000 Sri Lankans addicted to drugs: Justice Minister

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said yesterday 553,000 Sri Lankans were addicted to drugs. Speaking at a function held at Viyangalla in Kalutara, Minister Sabry assured that measures would be taken to eradicate the drug menace from the country.

British woman writes to AG over son’s death in Colombo

Britisher Maryanne India Beare has written to Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera last week requesting him to expedite the case relating to her son’s suspected killing. The case is currently being heard in a Magistrate’s Court.

29-year-old mother blessed with quintuplets

A 29-year-old mother from Pepiliyawala gave birth to quintuplets (5 girls) this morning at the De Soysa Hospital for Women (Teaching), Colombo 08.

12th Covid-19 death reported in Sri Lanka

A 47-year-old woman, who returned from India and being treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) has died due to Covid-19, reporting the 12th death from the virus infection in Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry said.

Accident kills five in Alawwa

At least five persons have died following an accident involving a car and a tripper truck at Alawwa, Walakumbura area on the Colombo-Kurunegala road this morning.

President pledges new Constitution based on 'one country, one law' principle

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his inaugural address to the ninth Parliament today, pledged to bring about a new Constitution envisaging the principle ‘One country, One law’ for all ethnic communities.

2h 45 minute power cut for four days

A two hour forty five minute power cut came into effect from yesterday to be continued for four days due to the breakdown in the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) on Monday, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager Vijitha Herath said.

Pillaiyan allowed to attend inaugural session of parliament

The Batticaloa High Court today granted permission for Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillaiyan to attend the inaugural session of new parliament on August 20.

Ranil should enter P’ment as National List MP: SJB MP

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should enter Parliament filling the sole National List slot of the United National Party (UNP), since there was none other than him more experienced in Parliamentary affairs, an SJB MP said yesterday.

Maithri summoned to Police Unit of PCoI probing Easter attacks

The Police Unit of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday Attacks has informed former President Maithripala Sirisena to appear at the Police Unit on August 26 to record a statement.

Will hand over party to young leader after PC polls: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the party will be handed over to a young leader after the provincial council elections, while a new mechanism will be created initially where the younger members could play a major role in the party.

New Govt.’s Policy Statement on August 20

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would present the new government’s Policy Statement at the ceremonial sitting during the first session of the Ninth Parliament on August 20, the Department of Communication of Parliament today said.

Lankan to be deported after sexually assaulting New Zealand woman

A Sri Lankan national who sexually assaulted a Christchurch woman while she slept will be deported as soon as he becomes eligible for parole.

20A to be tabled in House by mid next month: Justice Minister

Moves are underway to drafted new proposals to abolish the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and replace it with the 20th Amendment which is to be tabled in Parliament by mid-September, Justice Minister Ali Sabry said.

Cabinet structure outlines govt. intentions: SJB

The government has made its intentions clear through the synopsis of its cabinet, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday.

SJB hands over names of national list members to EC

The Samagi Jana Balaweguaya (SJB) today handed over the names of the party’s national list nominees to the Elections Commission.

PM gets Finance, Buddha Sasana & Urban Development Ministries

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed as the Minister Finance, Buddha Sasana & Religious and Cultural Affairs and the Minister of Urban Development and Housing.

Pavithra & Dinesh retain Health & Foreign

Former Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi and former Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardane retained their previous portfolios at the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony today. Accordingly, Wanniarachchi was re-appointed as Health Minister while Gu

Ranil decides to resign

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to step down from the party leadership paving the way for a new one to take over, an official said today.

Mano issues ultimatum to SJB

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by Mano Ganesan which contested the general election under Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) says 15 MPs from his party, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) led by Rishad Bathiudeen would sit as a separate group in Parliament if they are not given slots from the national list, as promised by the SJB leadership.

SLPP hopeful of establishing new parliament

According to the official election results declared so far, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has won a landslide victory.

Sri Lankan casualties in Beirut blast rises to ten

The number of Sri Lankan casualties in the massive explosion in Lebanese capital Beirut, on Tuesday, has risen to ten, Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon said.

Counting of votes for General Election begins

Counting of votes for the parliamentary election 2020 commenced at a short while ago, officials said.

People show confidence with 71% turnout at polls: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said the voter turnout of 71% at the General Election, reflected the confidence that Sri Lankans have in the government’s efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Election voting begins

Voting for the General Election-2020 commenced a short while ago at 12,985 polling stations island-wide with 16,263,885 eligible voters.

No risk of contracting COVID-19 if health guidelines practiced properly: DG

While stressing that there was no risk of social transmission of the COVID-19, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said today even if there was a COVID-19 patient in society, no one would contract the virus if they properly adhere to health guidelines issued by the health ministry.

Coimbatore police confirms Angoda Lokka’s death, Lankan & 2 others arrested: Indian media

Coimbatore police on Sunday confirmed the death, in the city, of Sri Lanka’s underworld kingpin Angoda Lokka, the Indian Express reported.

Infant born to Covid-19 mother tests negative

A baby born to a Covid-19 infected mother tested negative for Covid-19, Director of the Colombo East Hospital Dr Priyantha Karunaratne said.

Cat carrying heroin found in Magazine Prison

A cat that had a heroin packet tied around its neck, was discovered by the prison officers at the Colombo Magazine Prison premises today.

Party will decide on new leader at the right time: Ranil

Leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that his party will decide on who the next UNP leader will be ’’when the time is right’’, days after a UNP senior has been openly voicing for a leadership change in his election campaigns.