Jan 31 (AD) The Ministry of Agriculture has been relocated to the Govijana Mandiraya in Battaramulla a short while ago. The Ministry previously stated that it will officially commence functions at the new premises at 8.30 am this morning. The event was attended by Minister of Agriculture Chamal Rajapaksa and State Minister of Agriculture Vidura Wickrmanayake. On the 23rd of this month, the State Ministry of Agriculture was shifted from the controversial building in Rajagiriya, more..

Jan 31 (EN) The 33 SL students currently living in Wuhan, the epicentre of the Novel Coronavirus outbreak, are expected to return to Colombo early tomorrow morning. Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft which will bring the students back to their anxious parents has left Colombo and is expected to begin its five-hour return flight around midnight Chinese time. On arrival in SL, the students are expected to be transported to the Diyatalawa Army camp where they will be quarantined more..

Jan 31 (DN) Former Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Saruwa Liyanage Sunil who was sentenced to 15 years’ rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court for allegedly molesting an under-aged girl has filed an appeal before the Court of Appeal challenging the judgement of the Colombo High Court. Through his appeal, Saruwa Liyanage Sunil is seeking the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to review and set aside his conviction and the rigorous imprisonment imposed by the High Court on Jan 17. more..

Jan 31 (AD) Sri Lanka is well prepared to address any possible coronavirus outbreak, says World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to SL Dr Razia Pendse. Dr Pendse stated that WHO works closely with SL’s Ministry of Health, the Disaster Preparedness Unit and the Disaster Management Center (DMC) to ensure that the country is well prepared to address any emergency of this sort. “We have all the necessary stockpiles what is needed in terms of equipment in this present situation. more..

Jan 31 (EN) Inflation in Colombo picked up to 5.4% in the 12-months to Jan 2020, with the index gaining 1.4% during the month, data from the state statistics office showed. The Colombo Consumer Price Index, which measures price levels in Colombo, rose to 134.3 points in January from 132.4 points in December. The food price index surged 11.7% with many traded commodities and domestically produced foods rising. Food prices usually rise in December and January, more..

Jan 31 (SCMP) When Sri Lanka’s newly elected Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a statement about equidistant foreign policy and remaining neutral in any conflict between major powers, the world paid attention. Neutrality would be an ideal position for the island nation, especially given the geopolitical interest towards SL. However, the viability of this stance has been questioned given that Beijing has enjoyed a special relationship with Colombo since the previous Rajapaksa govt under his brother Mahinda from 2005 to 2010. more..

Jan 31 (DM) Education Ministry had decided to close 15 schools in Colombo on Monday (3) including Govt, Private and International, due to the rehearsals for Independence Day celebrations. The decision was taken to minimise traffic congestion at the Independence Square during the 72nd Independence Day celebrations. Public Administration, Home Affairs and Local Govt Ministry had advised the Education Ministry to close all schools near the Independence Square on Monday to provide relevant more..

Jan 31 (DM) Appointing a task force to combat new coronavirus has become imperative in the wake of World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring a global emergency situation, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said today. Mr. Premadasa told a press conference that appointing a task force is essential given the current situation. “My intention is not to create a monster out of the situation but to prevent the situation from becoming uncontrollable. more..

Jan 31 (EN) Attorney General Dappula de Livera has today informed the CID that there is insufficient evidence to file action against any person in the alleged attempted coup on Jan 9, 2015, when Mahinda Rajapaksa lost the Presidential Elections. The investigation into the alleged coup began after MP Mangala Samaraweera filed a complaint at the CID six days after the elections alleging that Rajapaksa tried to suspend results and implement emergency law. more..

Jan 31 (AD) Six suspects including the father of the second suicide bomber at Shangri-La Hotel have been further remanded until 14th of February. The order was issued by the Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Jayatunga toda. When the suspects were produced before the court, the officers of the CID told the additional magistrate that probes into the suspects are yet to be concluded and made a request to remand them further. Accordingly, the six suspects were ordered to be remanded until Feb 14. more..

Jan 31 (CI) Kusal Mendis' seventh Test century ensured there were no late scares for Sri Lanka as the visitors eked out a draw in the second and final Test in Harare and sealed the series 1-0. For Zimbabwe, they can take heart from a performance that had pushed their more illustrious opponents right throughout the five days, and at times it looked like they might actually secure their first-ever Test win over Sri Lanka. But in the end, while Zimbabwe's batsman had impressed more..