Girl rescued after 18 hours buried in snow
A 12-year-old girl has been found alive after being buried under snow for 18 hours when an avalanche hit her home in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Samina Bibi said she had been "screaming and shouting for help" as she lay trapped in a room under the snow, she told Reuters. The Neelum Valley has been hit by avalanches and landslides in recent days killing at least 74 people. While the Himalayan region is prone to weather disasters, the current death toll is one the highest in recent history. But Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and Neelum Valley in particular, were the worst hit.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 17, 2020 09:22 UTC
Fire in Castlereigh reserve
Around five acres of land in the Castlereigh reserve has been completely destroyed due to a fire. The fire had erupted yesterday evening in the Castlereigh reserve. The fire had spread owing to the drought conditions prevailing in the area. It is also reported that the fire had destroyed the water pipes which had been used to supply drinking water to estate workers' houses in the Wanaraja Estate.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 17, 2020 06:57 UTC
Air pollution in Colombo at unhealthy levels
In terms of air quality, As at 10am today, Colombo’s air pollution status stood at unhealthy level of 157, as measured by PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter). The ‘Unhealthy’ level, which ranges from 151-200, means the air quality “is increased likelihood of adverse effects and aggravation to the heart and lungs among general public - particularly for sensitive groups.” according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) categorizations. Colombo’s air pollution status will stand at ‘unhealthy’ level today and tomorrow, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) said citing the AQI predictions of the US Embassy in Colombo.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 17, 2020 06:26 UTC
Man dies in Kahatagasdigiliya accident
A motorcycle and a jeep collided in Kahatagasdigiliya-Ranpathwila area on the Puttalam - Trincomalee road last night. Police said that the victims were severely injured and rushed to Kahatagasdigiliya Hospital and later transferred to the Anuradhapura Hospital and the 35-year-old motorcyclist was killed in the accident. It was reported that the accident occurred when a motorcycle collided with a jeep travelling towards Anuradhapura. The suspect is being treated at the Anuradhapura Hospital under police protection. Kahatagasdigiliya Police is conducting further investigations.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 17, 2020 06:26 UTC
New political party registration commences today
The registration of new political parties will be undertaken from today, a spokesman from the Election Commission said. The Commission announced that the relevant advertisements will be published in national newspapers and applications could be submitted from today till February 16.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 17, 2020 05:48 UTC
Showers expected in most parts of island after 2pm
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in Galle, Matara and Nuwara-eliya districts after 2.00 p.m, said the Department of Meteorology. Several spells of showers may occur in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district. Light showers may occur in Northern and North-central provincesMisty conditions can be expected at some places in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces during the morning. General public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 16, 2020 11:15 UTC
22-hour Water cut on Saturday
Water supply to Colombo and surrounding areas will be disrupted for 22-hours commencing from 9am on Jan.18 (Saturday ) till 7.00 am on Jan.19 (Sunday), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said. The Water Board stated that the water cut is imposed due to a power interruption by the Ceylon Electricity Board. Accordingly, water supply to Colombo, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Kotte, Kaduwela Municipal Council areas, Maharagama, Boralesgamuwa, Kolonnawa Urban Council areas, Kotikawaththa, Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Saba areas and Rathmalana and Soysapura Housing schemes would be disrupted.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 16, 2020 09:45 UTC
Suspect arrested while smuggling heroin into Bogambara Prison
Prison officers in Pallekele arrested an individual who had attempted to confiscate heroin neatly concealed in a plastic lunch box brought for an inmate at Bogambara prison. The suspect is a resident of Mahaiyawa, Kandy. According to the Department of Prisons, the suspect had attempted to smuggle in eight grams of heroin which had been concealed in the plastic lunch box. Investigations revealed that the suspect had attempted and planned to bring more drugs in the same manner in an attempt to sell it to other prisoners. On the instructions of Pallekele Bogambara Prison Superintendent Wijaya Tennakoon and Assistant Superintendent of Police, R.S Mahanama, the suspect was arrested and handed over to police.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 16, 2020 08:36 UTC
NTC to take legal action against loud music in private buses from today
The National Transport Commission said that strict legal action will be taken against all private bus drivers and conductors who do not take necessary measures to play the permitted CDs from today. The CDs containing songs appropriate to be played in private buses were provided at a number of locations. The songs could be downloaded from www.ntc.gov.lk.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 16, 2020 06:39 UTC
SLFP Central committee to convene today
SLFP central committee meeting is set to take place today at the Party Headquarters. The meeting will be chaired by the chairman of the party and former President Maithripala Sirisena at 7:00pm, to focus on the upcoming general elections.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 16, 2020 05:53 UTC
Mainly fair weather will prevail over the island
Except for a few showers in eastern province, mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island, said the Department of Meteorology. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces during the morning.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 16, 2020 05:03 UTC
Inspector dies after shooting himself
An Inspector of Police attached to the Mirihana Police shot himself to death inside the police station today, Police media unit said. The 36-year-old Police officer had been pronounced dead on admission to the Kalubowila Hospital. He had been working as the officer in charge of the environment protection unit attached to the Mirihana Police station. The Police are conducting further investigations.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 15, 2020 15:01 UTC
LTTE remains as a terrorist group
The Council of the European Union today renewed the ‘’so-called EU terrorist list’’, which sets out persons, groups and entities subject to restrictive measures with a view to combating terrorism. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka remains on the EU terrorist list under groups and entities. The Council establish an EU list and impose related restrictive measures under Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP, and Council Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001. The Council first set up the list as implementation of UNSC Resolution 1373/2001 that followed the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. This sanctions regime is separate from the EU regime implementing UN Security Council resolutions 1267 (2011), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015 and targeting Al-Qaida and ISIL/Da'esh.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 14, 2020 05:26 UTC
Russian FM Lavrov arrives in Sri Lanka
The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov arrived at the Katunayake airport this morning for bilateral discussions with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. This is the first official visit from the Russian Federation following the Presidential Election in November 2019, and the appointment of a new Cabinet of Ministers in Sri Lanka. Foreign Minister Lavrov’s upcoming visit to the country which is being undertaken after 10 years (since 2009), will renew and revitalize the long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries. Minister Lavrov will meet with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during his stay in Colombo. The two ministers will address the media at a joint press conference following the bilateral meeting.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 12, 2020 10:41 UTC
Monetary Board approves debt relief package for ailing SMEs
The Government will introduce a debt relief package to revive the cash trapped Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector, providing financial freedom and stimulus to this important economic segment. “The Monetary Board has approved the assistance package and all licensed commercial banks will be directed to provide relief to ailing SMEs to enable them to carry on their commercial activities in a sustainable manner. “The country’s economic growth has stumbled to a low level of 2 percent and the government will work to reach 6.5 percent growth this year. The SME sector loan burden will be taken care of by the government in its credit package under two categories on performing and non-performing loans. In meeting the immediate working capital needs of these ailing SMEs, the banks will provide funding facilities up to Rs.
Source:Sunday Observer
January 11, 2020 19:35 UTC