OICs given one month to process details of 13 wanted underworld activists: SDIG

The Police Department has given a month’s period for all the countrywide station OICs to process details of 13 most wanted underworld activists, who are presently finding refuge in foreign countries and to bring them down in due course by issuing red notices through Interpol.

Pakistan to relocate lonely Sri Lankan elephant Kaavan to Cambodia

A Pakistani court approved the relocation of a lonely and mistreated elephant to Cambodia on Saturday after the pachyderm became the subject of a high-profile rights campaign backed by music star Cher.

School holiday extended

The ongoing interim school holiday has been extended by another week and the schools will be reopened for Grade 11, 12 and 13 students on July 27, the Education Ministry said today.

Rishad files FR petition seeking order not to arrest him

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an interim order preventing CID from arresting him in connection with Easter Sunday attack.

PHIs withdraw from COVID-19 duties over Minister’s negative comment

The Public Health Inspectors Union of Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) said its members have withdrawn from Covid-19 prevention duties with effect from 12.30 pm today.

People who visited inmates at Kandakadu test negative for COVID-19

A total of 114 people, who had visited the inmates at the Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre and their family members, have tested negative for COVID-19, Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

Prez assures people protection from COVID-19 pandemic

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today assured that the people would be protected from the COVID-19 pandemic by mitigating the risk of the virus spreading in the country, until the pandemic is finally wiped out.

Kandakadu cluster: Not a wide-spread scenario- Dr. Jasinghe

While claiming that 428 Covid 19 Positive cases had been reported from Kandakadu and Senapura Rehabilitation Centres, Director General of Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe today said the spreading of the virus in the respective areas was not a wide-spread scenario.

Amitabh Bachchan tests positive for Covid-19

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, on Saturday, tested positive for Covid-19. The ’Piku’ actor has been admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati hospital, Indian media reported.

Army, SIS launch massive tracing operation to identify new COVID associates

The Army and the State Intelligence Service have launched a massive operation to trace down all those who have associated with the inmates at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Center who were transferred to other prisons in the country in recent weeks and several more people will be taken into quarantine in the coming days to prevent a leak in society which can trigger a second wave of COVID-19.

Govt. to slow down repatriation process

With the detection of fresh COVID-19 cases at the drug-rehabilitation centre in Kandakadu, the government has decided to slow down the process of repatriating Sri Lankans from abroad, an official said today.

Sri Lanka eliminates rubella ahead of 2023 target

Sri Lanka and Maldives were today verified for having eliminated rubella, making them the first two countries in WHO South-East Asia Region to achieve measles and rubella elimination ahead of the 2023 target.

Over 170 inmates undergo PCR tests

At least 174 inmates out of 250 personnel identified as contacts of the COVID-19 patient detected from the Welikada Prison have been subjected to PCR tests, the Prison Department said.

New Parliament must comply with COVID-19 guidelines: Dr. Jasinghe

Parliament heads and Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe today discussed measures to be taken when the Parliament sits post general elections where Dr. Jasinghe highlighted the need to adhere to the COVID-19 guidelines.

Kusal Mendis released on bail

Cricketer Kusal Mendis, who was arrested over a fatal accident, was released on bail by Panadura magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya today.

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.