Govt. to maintain flat rate for fuel for one year

The Government has decided to maintain fuel price under a flat rate for at least one year irrespective of the world market price cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

Arjuna to consider refraining from contesting at polls

Former MP Arujna Ranatunga yesterday said he will refrain from contesting the general election because of the crisis brought on by CORVID-19.

CCD probe into statements by Rajitha & SF over COVID-19

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has launched an investigation into several misleading statements made by former MPs Rajitha Senaratna and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka over the COVID-19 situation in the country, police said.

Private hospitals permitted to conduct PCR test

The government has decided to permit private hospitals to conduct the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test under strict conditions, Health Services Director Anil Jasinghe said.

Number of COVID-19 patients rises to 50

The number of patients infected by COVID-19 has increased to 50, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said. Speaking at the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19- Outbreak, she said eight more individuals have tested positive for the virus today.

Harsha resigns as UNP Treasurer

Former UNP MP Dr. Harsha De Silva today said that he resigned from the position of Treasurer of the United National Party (UNP). In a tweet, Dr. De Silva said he also met UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

$500mn from CDB for development efforts

Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with the China Development Bank for a financing facility of USD 500 million for development efforts in the country, the Finance Ministry said.

Police curfew in Puttalam, Kochchikade from 4.30 pm today

Police curfew will be imposed in the Puttalam District and Kochchikade in Negombo from 4.30 pm today to assist in the measures being adopted to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the country, Police said.

A complete lock-down essential: Sajith

The government should not act like Nero, who played the fiddle when Rome was burning or beat about the bush but should announce a complete lock-down to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith Premadasa told a news conference today.

Six more tests positive for COVID-19: Total rises to 34

Six more individuals have tested positive for coronavirus thereby bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 34, Health Services Director-General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

All passenger arrivals to be suspended from midnight tomorrow

All passenger arrivals at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake have been suspended with effect from midnight tomorrow for two weeks, the Government said.

Until eleventh hour, UNP will strive to contest together

Talks are ongoing to get all factions of the UNP to contest the general election together before nominations close on Thursday, UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told a press conference held yesterday.

General Elections should be postponed: Rathana Thera

While deciding to contest the upcoming General Election under the political party ’Ape Jana Bala Pakshaya’, former MP Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and several other Buddhist monks requested the government to postpone the elections considering the COVID epidemic.

COVID-19 syndrome; NPP to meet EC Chairman

While claiming that the prevailing situation in the country is not conducive to hold the General Election due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Party said today it is planning to meet the Elections Commission Chairman to discuss the current situation.

Two arrested over spreading false info on COVID-19

Two individuals have been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for spreading false information on Coronavirus via social media, Police said.

75kgs of heroin found in container of potatoes

Over 75 kilograms of heroin packed along with potatoes have been found from a freight container at Kochchikade, Negombo today, the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) said.

Fuel price reduction within next few days: Minister

The government would pass the benefit of fuel price reduction in the global market to the consumer in the next few days after deciding the way it should be done, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Six students arrested over throwing tyre at J’pura student remanded

Six students of the Sri Jayawardenepura University, who were arrested over the incident where a first-year student was injured in an alleged ragging incident, were remanded until March 23 by Nugegoda Magistrate Mohammed Mihal today.

Covid-19 - Ananda Principal rejects rumors of any infected students

Referring to rumors about an Ananda College student whose father who is suspected of being infected by COVID-19, Principal S.M. Keerthiratna said the student was not suffering from any such infection.

Son of COVID-19 patient not infected with virus : Health Ministry

Referring to the false rumors that the son of the first Sri Lankan COVID-19 infected patient has also been infected with the virus, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe said today that the rumors were utterly false.

Trump suspends travel from Europe to US

US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping new travel restrictions on Europe in a bid to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Won’t charge fees from passengers under quarantine: Army

No fee would be charged from the passengers who are directly being sent to quarantine centres in Punani and Kandakadu, Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

Seven arrested over fatal clash at Negombo hotel

Seven suspects were arrested in connection with the clash at a hotel at Periyamulla in Negombo where a 36-year-old was hacked to death, Police said.

First batch sent to Batticaloa Campus

The first batch of passengers who were to be quarantined, sent to the Batticaloa Campus quarantine centre yesterday. The Health Ministry has set up three quarantine centres at three locations - Batticaloa campus, the Kandakadu Treatment and Rehabilitation centre, Polonnaruwa, and the Leprosy Hospital Hendala.

Lankans returning from overseas asked to self-quarantine

Sri Lankans returning from overseas are requested to self-quarantine at home for 14 days due to the spread of coronavirus, Health Services Director-General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said.

COVID-19; SL suspends pilgrimage to Dambadiva

The Buddha Sasana Ministry has advised tour operators and other relevant authorities to suspend all pilgrimage tours to ‘Dambadiva’, India with immediate effect.

Van crashed into tree: Six killed, three injured

Six people were killed and three others injured after a van crashed into a tree at Lunugamwehera on the Mattala-Kataragama Main Road early this morning.

Talks still on between SJB and UNP: Ruwan

Despite the official notification made by UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam on Saturday that UNP would contest the General Election under elephant symbol, former MP Ruwan Wijewardene said today that talks were continuing with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to end differences and face the polls together.

Passengers from Italy, Korea, Iran to be sent to Batti Campus for quarantine

All passengers arriving from Italy, South Korea and Iran would be sent to the Batticaloa Private University and the Kandakadu Rehabilitation Centre to be quarantined for 14 days for coronavirus, the Health Ministry said.

PTL Director arrested, remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) Director Muthuraja Surendran was arrested over the Central Bank bond scam by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today.