Compelled to call for intl. tribunal to probe Easter Sunday Mayhem - Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today said he will be compelled to call for a probe by an international court over the Easter Sunday attacks, if justice is not meted out to victims of the mayhem and their families.

AstraZeneca COVID jab ‘less effective against S Africa variant’

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford appeared to offer only limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of the coronavirus, a spokesman for the British drugmaker has said.

Prez, PM meet Indian High Comm. over container terminal issue

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday met with Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay and conveyed the government’s interest in developing the West Container Terminal of Colombo Port together with India and Japan, informed sources said.

India insist on developing ECT jointly

In the immediate aftermath of the government’s decision that the East Container Terminal (ECT) of Colombo will be operated totally by Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), India reiterated its expectation for the expeditious implementation of the Trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed in May, 2019 among the governments of Sri Lanka, India and Japan.

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi detained by military: Ruling party

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top government figures have been detained ’’by the military,’’ a spokesman for the governing National League for Democracy told CNN on Monday.

SL confirms its intent on revisiting provisions of PTA

The Sri Lankan Government confirmed its intent on revisiting the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) with a view to making the appropriate amendments, a joint statement by the Sri Lanka-EU said.

Officials insist situation under control

The Health Ministry insisted that the Covid situation was under control despite a high number of infected persons being detected in the country over the last couple of days.

India awaits regulatory clearance from SL to supply COVID-19 vaccine

India awaits regulatory clearance from Sri Lanka for the supply of Indian manufactured COVID-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka.

Hidden hands’ trying to meddle with police probes; IGP notifies all top cops

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has issued a special circular to officers-in-charge of all police stations and all senior ranked officers to take legal action against the persons who are interfering with investigations conducted by the police.

Not ready for bad politics: Prez

Even though he was ready for the character of Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa or Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today he was not ready to resort to bad politics just as the opposition.

US charges 3 Sri Lankans over Easter attacks

The US Justice Department charged three Sri Lankans on Friday with supporting terrorism for their participation in the 2019 Islamic State Easter attack that killed 268 people, the AFP reported.

Fmr. Directors of Swarnamahal Jewellers Ltd re-arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department re-arrested Jeewaka Edirisinghe, Anjalee Edirisinghe and Asanka Edirisinghe, the former directors of ETI Finance Limited a short while ago on charges of Criminal Misappropriation, Cheating, Money Laundering & other offences, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Cremating COVID-19 remains will stay: No changes in experts’ decision: Health Minister

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today asserted that the decision taken by the experts’ committee to cremate all COVID-19 related dead bodies will not be changed on any social, religious, political or personal grounds.

US Congress in turmoil as violent Trump supporters breach building

Violent supporters of President Donald Trump have breached the Capitol in Washington, as lawmakers met to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s poll win.

SL seeks access to Covid-19 vaccine from India

Sri Lanka has expressed interest in procuring COVID-19 vaccines from India, visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said.

Spreading, emerging of COVID sub-clusters away from WP critical: PHI Union

A critical situation of spreading and emergence of COVID-19 sub-clusters has been observed away from the Western Province, Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union Secretary M. Balasuriya said.

Random Rapid Antigen Tests to be conduct in vulnerable areas in the country

Random Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) will be conducted on persons who live in vulnerable areas in the country to identify COVID-19 patients and treat them, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

83 ORIT apparel employees test positive with COVID-19

Eighty-three employees of the ORIT apparel factory in Avissawella tested positive with COVID-19 yesterday.

Russian Envoy alerts Minister Weerasekara on terrorist financing

Russian Ambassador Yury B. Materiy apprised Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara about terrorist financing activities by extremist groups under the pretext of providing COVID-19 aid.

National Research Council yet to receive proposal on ’Dhammika Paniya’

The National Research Council of Sri Lanka (NRC) has said that the Council is yet to receive the proposal on the syrup used for Covid-19 by Ayurvedic practitioner Dhammika Bandara from Kegalle.

PHI clearance compulsory for Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak, Kataragama

Public travelling to Nuwera Eliya, Adams Peak and Kataragama will not be able to lodge at any hotel in those areas if the guests fail to produce a PHI clearance report that they are COVID-19 free, PHI Union Secretary Mahesh Balasuriya told Daily Mirror.

Isolation imposed on several GN divisions in Colombo, Gampaha lifted

The isolation imposed on two Grama Niladari Divisions in the Colombo District and three Grama Niladari Divisions in the Gampaha District will be lifted with effect from 5.00 am tomorrow (Monday), Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said.

Revised dietary guidelines issued for Sri Lankans

The Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine has launched a revised dietary guideline for Sri Lankans, in collaboration with the the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Medicine man’s COVID-19 cure not approved

A potion promoted by ayurvedic practitioner Dhammika Bandara from Hettimulla, Kegalle has not been approved by the Health Ministry.

BIA to reopen for tourists from January

Sri Lanka is to reopen the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for foreign tourist arrivals by following a travel bubble system.

No complete lockdown of Western Province, public urged not to panic: Army Commander

The Western Province will not come under a complete lockdown during the festive season but areas where patients are reported will come under isolation till the situation is brought under control, Army Commander, Lt. General Shavendra Silva told Daily Mirror yesterday

Lockdown of several areas in Colombo, Gampaha to be lifted from tomorrow

The isolation status which are currently being imposed in several areas, especially in Colombo and Gampaha districts have been revised.

Medical consultants seek possibilities of treating COVID patients at private hospitals

A high-level delegation of medical experts had a discussion with Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva to explore the possibilities for accommodating COVID-19 patients for treatment at private sector hospitals.

Burevi makes landfall in Sri Lanka

Cyclone Burevi has made landfall in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Coast, the Department of Meteorology said.

SC rejects FR petitions challenging gazette notification Cremation of COVID-19 victims in Muslim and Catholic communities

The Supreme Court (SC) today rejected the examining of 12 Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed challenging the gazette notification regarding the cremation of COVID19 victims belonging to Muslim and Catholic communities.