Fire breaks out at two-storey building in Battaramulla

A fire broke out at a two-storey building which housed a showroom of a famous home appliance chain in Battaramulla, the fire brigade said.

Rishad appears before CID

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) branch at Iratta Periyakulam in Vavuniya to give a statement in connection with the investigations into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Wild Elephant dies after been hit by luxury bus

A Wild Elephant roaming along the Udawalawe-Monaragala main road was accidentally hit by a luxury bus plying from Colombo to Ampara.

39 street racers arrested for unauthorized racing in Piliyandala

At least 39 alleged street racers were arrested along with 27 motorcycles for unauthorized racing along the Piliyandala-Kesbewa bypass road last night.

Two arrested with narcotics pills worth Rs. 10mn

Two suspects have been arrested with 5,600 narcotic pills and heroin which has a street value of Rs. 10 million during a raid near a 5-star hotel in Colombo, Police said.

EC assures COVID-19 will not spread from polling centres

Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya yesterday assured that COVID-19 virus would not be spread through polling centres during the upcoming general election.

Escaped COVID-19 patient located

A COVID-19 infected patient who ran away from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Mulleriyawa early today, was located near the National Hospital, Colombo by two of its staff members a few hours later and was taken back to the IDH safely, Police said.

Two killed, three injured in accident

A married couple was killed and three others including two children were injured after the car they were traveling in crashed into a lamp post opposite the Yakkala fair on the Yakkala-Kiridiwela Road last night, Police said.

Decide if you will destroy UNP or not: RW to traditional UNPers

Those who traditionally voted for the UNP should decide whether they are going to destroy the party or not at this election, UNP Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Govt. pushes for action against perpetrators: Minister

The Police must not have any hesitation to arrest and produce to court those responsible for the alleged archaeological destruction at Kurunegala and the government would not obstruct the law taking its course on the crime, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Two arrested over Kesbewa Hotel owner’s murder

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a hotel owner at Kesbewa in Piliyandala.

Party leader should be elected through secret ballot: Navin

UNP National Organizer and Nuwara Eliya District UNP candidate Navin Dissanayake said yesterday the next leader of the UNP should be elected through a secret ballot.

Final decision on PHIs’ TU action tomorrow

The final decision on the ongoing trade union action carried out by the Public Health Inspectors is to be taken tomorrow , PHIs’ Union President Upul Rohana said today.

CHILDREN TRIED AS ADULTS

The death penalty and sentence of life in prison are sentences which ensure that an offender will never be able to rejoin civil society.

Private buses to reduce operations by 50%

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association President Gemunu Wijeratne yesterday said that they had decided to reduce the number of buses and bus journeys operated on certain roads by 50% from next Monday onwards.

Change in UNP leadership needed; I think I can be the leader: Navin

UNP National Organizer and Nuwara Eliya District UNP candidate Navin Dissanayake said that the leadership of the UNP, which had remained unchanged for 26 years, needed to be changed and that he had the required qualifications to become the leader of the party.

Two thirds majority needed to rid country of extremism: GL

Two thirds majority is needed to draft laws to rid the country of extremism and to strengthen the defence apparatus, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Leader Prof. G.L. Peiris said today.

Kandakadu situation under control, says Army Chief

While saying Covid-19 situation at the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre had been brought under control, Army Commander Shavendra Silva stressed the need to wear face masks when going outdoors.

Jaffna medical students missing in forest found

Nine medical students of the Jaffna University, who went missing in Muththiyankattu Forest Reserve in Pudukuduirippu, have been found today, Police said.

Payment of private sector employees’ salary: Agreement extended till September

The Cabinet has decided to extend the agreement reached between government and private sector employers to ensure payment of Rs. 14.500 or 50 per cent of the basic salary of private sector employees until September.

Gazette on health guidelines for polls within two days - Pavitra

Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi today said that health guidelines pertaining to the General Elections would be Gazetted within the next two days after receiving the necessary advice from the Attorney General and the Legal Draftsman.

130,000 PCR tests performed so far: Dr. Jasinghe

Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said more than 130,000 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests have been performed so far to identify COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka .

Special mobile polling centres to facilitate those on self-quarantine

While claiming that people at quarantine centres or on self-quarantine would not be allowed to vote at normal polling station, the Elections Commission (EC) said yesterday it was considering the possibility of establishing mobile polling centres or special polling centres to facilitate such people to exercise their votes.

Another prolonged lockdown will kill our economy: Ranil

Whist stating that another prolonged lockdown will kill Sri Lanka’s economy, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed that political parties, health experts and other bodies discuss the Public Health Emergency Bill proposed by some opposition parties and enact as soon as new Parliament meet.

Hirunika denies she was sidelined by Janani Premadasa

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidate Hirunika Premachandra today said she has no confrontation whatsoever with Janani Premadasa, the wife of SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa.

February electricity bill to match with March, April and May

The Cabinet has approved the payment of the electricity tariff indicated in the February bill in March, April and May as well.

Not necessary to impose curfew: Health DG

It is not necessary to impose a lock-down in the country in a situation where the COVID-19 is not widespread, Director General of Health Services, Dr Anil Jasinghe today.

Tipper driver remanded for running over Police officers

The tipper truck driver who was arrested for running over Police officers in Hakmana, had been remanded till July 23 on charges of murder, attempted murder, causing severe injuries to officers on duty and reckless driving, the Police said.

Adherence to health guidelines at work: Prez says heads are accountable

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that the heads of both government and private entities are accountable for adhering to health guidelines in their organizations in the wake of current spike in COVID 19 cases.

Covid-19 pandemic - No intention to hide actual scenario: DGHS

Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said there were only 19 Covid-19 cases reported yesterday and that they had no intention of hiding the actual situation in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.