State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama said that bus fares of Sri Lanka would be increased since midnight today.He said that the price increase would be effective according to three methods. In the circumstances, the health authorities allow normal transport, no fare hike will be effective.The second method is

Maruti Suzuki S-presso, a small hatchback car sold by AMW in Sri Lanka targeting youth has achieved a zero star rating in Global NCAP’s new round of #SaferCarsForIndia crash tests. The S-Presso is fitted with a driver-only airbag, achieved zero stars for adult occupant protection and two stars for child occupant protection. There is no place for zero-rated cars in the Indian ...

Sri Lanka Opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya MP Champika Ranawaka said that the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had failed to bring the culprits of financial fraud of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and to investigate the forces behind the Easter Sunday attack.He alleged the government was not taking action to bring former Governor of Central Bank Arjun Mahendran from Singapore because

Sri Lanka's Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) Editor Haritha Aluthge said that there are around 20,000 PCR samples in the laboratories.As a result of the situation, the reports are delayed up to one week and during that period, some of the infected persons associate many others.Meanwhile, a PCR machine in Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa hospital broke down and a Chinese

13 deaths occurred with a week in Sri Lanka due to COVID-19. Four deaths were reported yesterday, Tuesday, 7 November 2020. Two deaths were reported from Maligawatta in Colombo city. A 42-year-old woman died of a heart attack. She suffered from a chronic illness. The other woman is 69 years old. She suffered from many illnesses and died in National Hospital due to pneumonia. A male person of 69

(Opinion by Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe, Editor) European Union (EU) indicated today that the special Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+) offered by the EU to Sri Lanka hung in the balance. GSP+ is the system of preferential trading arrangements through which the European Union extends preferential access to its markets to developing countries. GSP+ provides Sri Lanka competitive, predominantly ...

Sri Lanka government has obtained Rs. 2,650 billion loans in 2020, some even without the approval of the parliament, Sri Lanka Opposition MP Kabir Hashim said in the parliament today. "It is the highest amount of debt Sri Lanka obtained within a year, in its history," MP Hashim highlighted. "The House is asked for a Covering approval for expenditures already incurred ...

A 24-year old Sri Lankan who was suspected of trafficking a Japanese girl was released on bail by Negambo Magistrate Court of Sri Lanka. The man was arrested based on a complaint by the mother of the Japanese girl. The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka also involved in the case. However, K.C. Pathirana the counsel appearing for the plaintiff said that the mother would consent for the man to marry the

Sri Lanka government sources say that no final decision has been so far taken regarding the burial of the Muslim persons who pass away due to COVID-19. However, Muslim organizations including extremist National Thawheed Jamath thanked the government for being benign to the Muslim sentiments regarding the burial of the dead.  Sources say Minister of Justice Ali Sabry is the lead advocate for the

Sri Lanka recorded a steady increase of COVID-19 cases and deaths within the past week. 2,869 cases were reported during the period between November 2 and 8 while 14 deaths occurred during this period. Meanwhile, 3,382 persons were reported recovered during the period between November 2 and 8. The entire Western Province was under curfew during this period. The vast majority of these cases and

Three of the five COVID-19 deaths reported today (November 13) so far occurred at home while another person died before hospitalization. An 83 years old woman from Colombo-14, a 78 years old male from Colombo-13 and a 64 years old man from Colombo-13 died at home. Another 69 years old male from Rathmalana died before hospitalization. High blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and heart attacks have

Sri Lanka President directed officials to prevent travel outside of Western Province because COVID-19 spread more in the province. The President gave this instruction at the daily meeting of the COVID-19 Task Force held in the Presidential Secretariat today (November 11). However, the President's instruction was not highlighted in the President's Facebook post about the meeting as well as in the

Despite lockdowns, the spread of COVID-19 seemed steady in Sri Lanka. The number of new cases reported yesterday was 409. The highest number of cases were reported from Gampaha district which is under a month-long curfew. 146 cases were reported from Gampaha district. The majority of the cases were reported from Negambo, Kadawatha, Kelaniya and Kandana areas in Gampaha district. A number of cases

A woman lamented before Wattala Magistrate Court of Sri Lanka yesterday saying the prison authorities of Mahara prison had killed her husband who had been bailed out by the court. She told that she had deposited the bail for the man to get him released by the time he was shot dead. The postmortem reports of this particular man and three others were submitted to Wattala magistrate court yesterday.

Listening to the request of the export industries, Sri Lanka government gave permission to the employees of the factories to enter into the isolated areas. Accordingly, the employees of factories permitted by the Board of Investment and Export Development Board can enter into the factories in the isolated areas following strict health regulations. The staff of essential services also can enter

Sri Lanka Minister of Education Prof. G.L. Peiris said that holding GCE Advanced Level examination amidst COVID-19 was a victory.The  Minister said that six candidates were found positive for coronavirus by the beginning of the examination. Within three weeks, the number increased to 29. The number of candidates who were sent for quarantine was 568. Invigilators had to be replaced due to the

Sri Lanka major opposition Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) accused today to the government that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has removed a foundation stone laid by the previous government and laid a new foundation stone ceremoniously. Addressing press conference held in the Opposition Leader's office today, Opposition SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna said that present Opposition Leader Sajith

Twelve police divisions in Colombo city will remain isolated although the curfew in the Western Province is withdrawn tomorrow. The reason is the spread of COVID-19 in these police areas.The isolated police divisions are, Mattakkuliya, Modara, Bloemandahl, Kotahena, Grandpass, Coastal, Aduruppu Weediya, Maligawatta, Dematogoda, Wellampitiya, Borella and Keselwatta. 

One prisoner was killed in Bogambara prison in Kandy last night. Five prisoners tried to escape and another prisoner was injured while one escaped, Prisons Commissioner-General Thushara Upuldeniya said. Prison officers have arrested two escapees, he said.The deceased is identified as 30-year-old Abdul Raheem of Anuradhapura. He had succumbed to the injuries sustained due to the fall from the top

Inter-Religion Relations Subcommittee of Sri Lanka Amarapura and Ramanna Buddhist Sangha sects wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urging to take an immediate decision regarding the issue of burying the COVID-19 dead bodies.The Buddhist clergy urged the government to consult a committee comprised of experts including epidemiologists and religious leaders and take an urgent decision. Further,