Gammanpila proposes index to rate ministers’ performance

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader Udaya Gammanpila has proposed the creation of an index to rate the performance of ministers quarterly.

SL will take 10 years to bounce back from this crisis: Ranil

It will take ten years for Sri Lanka’s economy to bounce back to the position it was before the initial COVID-19 outbreak given the current situation, former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today at Sirikotha.

Elephant attacks three wildlife officers in Kala Wewa

Three officers attached to the Wildlife Department including a veterinary surgeon were rescued after their boat capsized following an elephant attack in Kala Wewa today.

COVID-19 threat: Shops in Kalawana closed

All shops in Kalawana were closed from noon today after a COVID-19 infected patient was found in the area, Kalawana Eksath Traders Association President W.D. Rodrigo said.

Melsta Hospitals Ragama closed after GM tests positive for COVID-19

Melsta Hospitals Ragama has been closed after its General Manager (GM), who had conducted lectures at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre, was tested positive for COVID-19, police said.

Two Homagama Army officers test positive for Covid-19, seven families quarantined

At least 30 persons belonging to seven families in Homagama have been sent for self quarantine after two Army officers from the area who are serving at the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre tested positive for Covid-19, Homagama MOH office said.

Tipper truck runs over police officers, killing cop and injuring two others

Three police officers who were on duty at a roadblock on the Matara-Hakmana road were run over by a tipper truck, killing a police constable.

Inmate admitted for PCR test falls to death at the Hospital

An inmate who was admitted to the Negombo Hospital for a PCR test on Covid-19 has died after falling from the eighth floor of the hospital, the Police said.

285 Lankans arrived from Jordan

A total of 285 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Jordan arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning. They arrived in Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL 1506 from Amman Airport (AMM).

Govt. hides true COVID-19 situation: NPP

The National Peoples’ Power (NPP) said yesterday the government was hiding the true situation of the COPVID-19 outbreak in a move to show that the situation in the country had returned to normalcy just for political advantage.

Some use COVID-19 as scapegoat to get polls postponed: GL

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris yesterday said those who are afraid of facing the elections use the COVID-19 situation as a scapegoat to get the General Elections postponed.

Navy Chief Piyal De Silva to retire

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva is to retire on Wednesday after 36 years of service in the Sri Lanka Navy.

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.

Two close associates of ’Angoda Lokka’ arrested in Mulleriyawa

Two close associates of underworld figure ’Angoda Lokka’ have been arrested with heroin during a raid at Udumulla in Mulleriyawa this morning.

Ranil calls for postponement of elections

Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today called for the postponement of the general election stating that the country is facing a dangerous situation in the wake of COVID-19 raising its head once again.

Over 600 Sri Lankans repatriated from UK, Australia and Maldives

A total of 648 Sri Lankans stranded in the UK, Australia and the Maldives had landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by three separate SriLankan Airline flights yesterday and this morning, sources said.

I’ll make country safe from drugs and underworld: PM

I will take action to put an end to underworld activities and the drug menace which had intensified during the tenure of the previous government, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Leader, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Three-wheeler driver shot dead in Moratuwa

A 39-year-old three-wheeler driver, who was stopped at a Police road block at Lunawa, Moratuwa, has been shot dead by police following an altercation, police said.

Electricity - It was I who forced the Govt. to cut tariffs: Ranil

Referring to the government’s decision to slash March, April and May electricity tariffs by 25 per cent, former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said it was he who got this concession for the people.

Facebook ban on Gnanasara Thera - Rathana Thera complains to HRC ban

Some members of the ’Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya’, led by former MP the Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera yesterday complained to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) on the Facebook ban imposed on Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

Photo-journalist complains against ex-PNB OIC Rangajeewa

A photo-journalist attached to the Ceylon Today newspaper filed a police complaint against former Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) OIC IP Neomal Rangajeewa for threatening and obstructing his duties at the premises of the Colombo High Court.

Drug stock at PNB court warehouse taken to govt. analyst

The remaining stock of drugs at the Police Narcotic Bureau’s (PNB) court items warehouse has been taken to the Government Analyst’s Department for further investigations.

Tiran Alles, three others discharged in RADA case

The Colombo High Court today ordered to discharge former MP Tiran Alles and three others from controversial Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) case.

Three killed in fatal accident in Wellawaya

Three persons including a woman were killed at Warunagama on the Wellawaya-Buttala main road when a lorry collided head-on with a three-wheeler this morning, Police said.

Kosgoda Tharaka’s accomplice ‘Kalu Malli’ arrested

Rohan Pradeep alias ‘Kalu Malli’, an accomplice of underworld figure ’Kosgoda Tharaka, was arrested in Angoda, Police said.

196 more COVID-19 patients identified from Kandakadu

At least 196 more COVID-19 infected patients were reported from the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre increasing total cases at the Centre to 252, Government Information Department said.

Cabinet nod to destroy confiscated Beedi Leaves

Taking into consideration the adverse impact on the health of those who consume the Beedi leaves, the Cabinet of Ministers today decided to destroy stocks of Beedi Leaves that are confiscated in future.

25% reduction on electricity bills for March, April, May

The Cabinet has agreed to provide a 25 per cent reduction on electricity bills for March, April and May for consumers who had used less than 90 units per month, Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said today.

Saloon door already removed and sold

Referring to the remark made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday that the SLPP needs a two thirds majority to replace the saloon door with a metal door in order to establish a stronger government, former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said, the saloon door had already been removed and sold out.

I changed my mind: Thewarapperuma

Kalutara District UNP candidate Palitha Thewarapperuma, who threatened to withdraw his candidature, said today he would resume his election campaign as the Election Commission Chairman informed him that he could not legally do so.