225 Lankans return from Philippine, Japan

A total of 225 Sri Lankans including two naval officials who were stranded in Philippine and Japan due to COVID-19 pandemic, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, the Airport Duty Manager said.

Man found dead at independence square; suspected suicide

A letter purported to be a suicide note of the man found dead at Independence Square this morning, has indicated that he had taken his life due to multiple health issues.

Hirunika hails Namal’s stance

SJB Colombo District candidate and former MP Hirunika Premachandra yesterday said she is happy about the stand of former Parliament colleague Namal Rajapaksa with regard to the Mount Lavinia beach project.

No more arrests of protesters by Police: Govt.

The Police will refrain from arresting protesters at public venues unless there is an extreme situation that would lead to serious violation of law and order causing public unrest but all those involved would be referred to a spell of quarantine, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

Pavithra rejects RW’s remarks, says WHO released only USD 1.9mn & not USD 230mn

Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today rejected remarks made by former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that the World Health Organisation (WHO) had released USD 230 million to Sri Lanka for COVID-19 operations.

Weapon used in Soysapura shooting recovered from Piliyandala

A T-56 weapon which was allegedly used in the Soysapura shooting, was recovered from a forest behind a house at Suwarapola in Piliyandala today, police said.

Need to install mobile jammers to make phones useless in prisons: Upuldeniya

The Prisons Department is expected to introduce a new mobile jamming system to prevent inmates from using mobile phones while in prisons, Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya said.

Doctor who stole cash from National Hospital, remanded

The 33-year-old doctor who was arrested for stealing Rs.7.9 million worth of cash brought to the National Hospital, Colombo, was remanded until June 24 by the court today.

DIG Jayasundara assumed duties as STF Commandant

DIG Waruna Jayasundara today assumed duties as 13th Commandant of the Special Task Force of Police (STF).

Zoological gardens to be reopened on June 15

All zoological gardens, forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and botanical gardens across the country would be reopened for both local and foreign tourists from June 15, Wildlife Resources Minister S.M. Chandrasena said today.

Rajitha granted bail

Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who was arrested following the controversial white van press conference was granted bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today.

Soysapura Shooting: Vehicle and Driver taken into custody

A 50-year old man from Piliyandala and the car which had been used for the shooting at an eatery in Soysapura, Moratuwa, were taken into custody, Police said.

Schools to reopen in 4 stages from June 29

Putting an end to the long school vacation, all government schools will reopen from June 29 in four stages, the Education Ministry announced today.

Doctor who stole cash from National Hospital, arrested

A 33-year-old doctor who was undergoing training to be a specialist was arrested with Rs.7.9 million worth of cash brought to the National Hospital, Colombo, Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon said.

53 including Kumar Gunaratnam, Duminda Nagamuwa arrested

A total of 53 individuals including Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Politburo members Duminda Nagamuwa and Kumar Gunaratnam have been arrested for protesting outside the US Embassy in Kollupitiya violating a court order, Police Spokesman SP Jaliya Senaratne said.

Decision on General Elections date this week

A decision on the date of the General Elections would be made this week, Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said today.

UNP TU-Seniors meeting ends abruptly

The meeting of the representatives of the UNP-led trade unions and party seniors held at Sirikotha was disrupted today when some participants became aggressive, party sources said.

All COVID-19 cases reported yesterday are returnees from foreign countries: Dr. Jasinghe

The all twenty-one COVID-19 patients reported yesterday were Sri Lankan returnees from foreign countries, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

Ranil says Govt. not conducting adequate PCR tests

Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged that serious problems have arisen regarding the government’s programme to control the spread of Covid-19 especially due to lack of testing.

Polling time does not differ much due to health guidelines-EC

The Election Commission which conducted a mock poll today found out that polling time would not differ much due to the guidelines stipulated by the health authorities in view of Covid-19, an official said.

UFO spotted in several areas: Prof. Jayaratne

An object suspected to be an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) was visible in several areas around the country last night, the Department of Physics, Colombo University said.

‘Gonakovile Raja’ shot dead in police confrontation

An underworld figure Pathiranage Raja Wimaladharma alias ’ Gonakovile Raja’, the main suspect of the shooting incident at an eatery in Soysapura, Moratuwa, has been shot dead by the police early this morning in Minuwangoda.

Three drowned while bathing in Garadi Ella

A man, his daughter and another girl were drowned while bathing in Garandi Ella at Madolsima today, police said.

US diplomat refusing PCR test is so disappointing: Namal

Expressing disappointment over the incident where a senior diplomat of the US Embassy leaving the airport without a PCR test, former MP Namal Rajapaksa said what was needed now was cooperation and respect more than ever.

At no time, we felt sorry for ourselves- Sanga recalls Lahore attack

Legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara recalled the horrific terrorist attack on Sri Lanka team bus in Pakistan during 2009 tour. It was March 3, 2009, Sri Lanka team took the bus for the Day 3 of the second Test match of the series, and just outside Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, 12 armed men attacked them.

A Penumbral Lunar Eclipse tomorrow night

The second penumbral lunar eclipse of 2020 will begin on June 5th night at 11.15 p.m. Sri Lanka Standard Time, when the shadow of the Earth falls on the Moon said Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, the Director of Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University.

Paying income tax during lock-down period: Cabinet approves not to charge any fine

The Cabinet has decided not to charge any fine on income tax during the lock-down period (till June 20, 2020), Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardane said.

Mahendran living in Singapore safely & happily under a different name: Maithri

The prime suspect of the Central Bank bond scam case Arjuna Mahendran has changed his name and living in Singapore safely and happily, former President Maithripala Sirisena claimed today.

Decision on date for elections next Monday

A decision on the date for the General Election would be made at the Election Commission’s next meeting scheduled for Monday (8), its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Health guidelines for election to be issued

The health guidelines to be followed by the Elections Commission (EC), election officials, voters, employees of the public, political parties and candidates and private sector the media and the public would be issued today, Director General Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe.