House in Mannar destroyed by ’gas explosion’

A house in the Kottai area in the Mannar Divisional Secretariat has been completely gutted by a fire reported to have been caused by an explosion of a gas stove this afternoon.

SL yet to finalize its offer for world’s largest blue sapphire; envisages over US$ 100 mn

Sri Lanka is still negotiating with the Dubai-based company which has offered US$ 100 million for the ‘Queen of Asia’, the world’s largest natural corundum blue sapphire found in Sri Lanka, whether to make final deal.

Priyantha didn’t know what he had torn and discarded: Malik Adnan

Pakistani national Malik Adnan, who received the highest bravery award from his Prime Minister Imran Khan for shielding Priyantha Kumara from the unruly mob in Sialkot last Friday, revealed yesterday that Priyantha was unaware of what was written in the posters pasted on the factory walls as it was in the Urdu language and discarded it unknowingly.

'Most-wanted’ suspect arrested over lynching of Priyantha Kumara

Police have arrested the most wanted accused Imtiaz alias Billi, who was involved in the gruesome murder of Priyantha Kumara and desecrating his body, the Punjab Police announced on its official Twitter handle.

Health experts raise serious concerns over new variant, SL goes on alert

Sri Lanka’s health experts, today raised serious concerns over the new variant of the COVID-19 which had been detected in South Africa and said Sri Lanka’s borders had gone on alert.

Revised excise levies announced

The Excise notification has been issued by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa amending the excise duty with effect from November 13, as per the 2022 budget.

Three underage missing girls return home

The three underage girls who had disappeared from Colombo 12 on Monday, returned home this evening, police said.

AG gives green light to make vaccination card mandatory: Keheliya

The Attorney General has given the green light to make the vaccination card mandatory for the general public when they enter public places, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

Decision of paying pension to Ajith Nivard Cabraal challenged in Courts

A writ petition has been filed in the Court of Appeal seeking an interim order to stay the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from paying a pension to the newly appointed Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

CBSL imposes 100% cash margin deposit on selected goods including mobiles, TVs

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, has decided to impose a 100 percent cash margin deposit requirement against the importation of selected goods of non-essential or non-urgent nature made goods including on mobile phones, televisions, watches, refrigerators, fruits, air conditioners, wine and beer.

CMC to begin inoculation of those above 20 from tomorrow

Colombo Municipal Council ( CMC) will begin the inoculation of those over 20 years of age from tomorrow, CMC Chief Medical officer Dr Ruwan Wijayamuni said today.

Extension of nationwide lockdown: Decision today

A decision will be taken today whether the countrywide lockdown will be further extended after Monday when the COVID-19 Task Force convenes with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror yesterday.

Lankan housemaid in UAE wins Dh1 million compensation in car accident case

A Sri Lankan housemaid in Dubai has been awarded Dh1 million compensation by Dubai Courts following a road accident last year.

Do not misuse curfew and stay home, warns army chief

Army Commander General Shavendra Silva yesterday warned people not to misuse the 10-day quarantine curfew which came into effect from 10 pm last night and to remain at home as health workers and authorities rushed against time to stop a further spread of the contagious Delta variant.

Main domestic aide's mobile phone handed over to CID: Police

Police have taken over the mobile phone of the main domestic servant of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s residence, where the 16-year-old girl died while working as a domestic aide for further investigations.

Doctor remanded for taking pictures of lady doctor while undressing

A 35-year old medical doctor attached to the National Hospital in Colombo was arrested and remanded for trespassing and taking pictures of a lady doctor at the Ragama Hospital.

Blame on arrest of protesters should go to Health DG not to police: Minister

While refusing claims that police were suppressing protests, Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara said today protesters were arrested following health guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services and therefore, the blame should go to the Health DG not to the police.

Container ship en route from Colombo disabled, adrift after fire in Indian ocean

Container ship MSC MESSINA reportedly suffered fire in engine room in Indian ocean halfway between Sri Lanka and Malacca Strait, at around 1930 UTC Jun 24, foreign media reported.

Online petition compares Jeff Bezos to Superman villain ’Lex Luther’

An online petition nearing 10,000 signatures — and growing — is suggesting Amazon founder Jeff Bezos should be denied re-entry to Earth when he launches for space in July.

President directs officials to order vaccine stocks for third dose if required

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to order a batch of vaccine for a third dose, taking the ongoing global situation into account and based on the recommendations by the medical experts.

Melbourne COVID outbreak linked to an arrival from Sri Lanka

The source of Melbourne’s most worrying Covid cluster which has left millions locked down for two weeks has finally been found, a returned traveller from Sri Lanka who arrived in the city a month ago

No room should be left to cause disruptions to people’s lives: Prez tells Governors

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told the Governors and District Secretaries today that they should personally intervene to maintain essential services and prevent any disruption to the lives of the people.

Russia tells SL: First dose provides sufficient protection

In what appeared to be another radical step in global vaccine development, Russia informed Sri Lanka that its Sputnik V could even be used as a single shot vaccine following new clinical data about the development of 70-80 percent efficacy level after the first jab, an official said.

President to decide today on islandwide travel restriction

The COVID-19 taskforce will meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at 11 am today to discuss the present situation in the country and when it is advisable for travel restrictions to be lifted, the Daily Mirror learns.

24 Black Fungus cases reported this year, nothing to do with COVID

Twenty four cases of the disease which is commonly called ‘Black Fungus’ and academically named ‘mucormycosis’ has been reported so far in the country this year, but none of them has tested positive for Covid-19, a medical expert said yesterday.

Apparel factory manager remanded for violating quarantine regulations

Galle Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeewani Pathirana ordered the apparel factory Manager who provided false information on first level associates and made way for the spread of the virus by violating the quarantine regulations to be remanded until May 31. He was the manager of an apparel factory in Koggala Free Trade Zone.

Medical professionals stress need to go for two-week lockdown

While saying that it will not be long before the hospitals are flooded with patients, completely inundated and the medical staff are stretched way beyond their capacity, resulting in a serious breakdown of our health sector, Medical Professionals demanded the Government to go for a two-week lockdown or curfew.

SC determines certain sections of Port City Bill inconsistent with Constitution: Speaker

The Supreme Court has determined that certain sections of the Port City Economic Commission Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardhane announced a short while ago.

Island-wide travel restrictions from Friday

Island-wide travel restrictions will be imposed from 11 pm on Friday (21) to 4 am on May 25 continuously, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Several flights from India land at BIA

A number of flights from India landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) over the past few days amidst a ban on travellers from India.