The death toll in an incident where Sri Lankan fishermen consumed an unknown substance found in a bottle floating in the sea has risen to five, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Navy Spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya said that a crew of six fishermen from the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour fell critically ill after consuming a liquid from a bottle they found approximately 320 nautical miles (592.64 kilometers) off the coast of Sri Lanka during a multi-day fishing voyage.

He said that five out of the six-member crew had died, while another remain in critical condition after consuming what they believed to be alcohol from the bottle.

In response to the urgent situation, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources requested assistance from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters on Saturday afternoon (29 June 2024). Subsequently, the Navy has dispatched SLNS Vijayabahu, along with a medical team, to the designated sea area to provide necessary medical aid and facilitate the safe return of the remaining fishermen to shore.

Captain Wickramasuriya said that the critically ill fisherman had been evacuated to the Singaporean merchant vessel ‘MV Kota Camil' where he is currently receiving emergency treatment.

He said steps are being taken for the Singaporean vessel to transfer these fishermen to SLNS Vijayabahu at sea.

The remains of former Opposition Leader and TNA MP the late R. Sampanthan were placed at a private funeral parlour in Borella this morning from 9 am, allowing the public to pay their final respects.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group unanimously approved a resolution that the party will not support any national government under President Ranil Wickremesinghe, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said today.

Sri Lanka is to launch 100 Octane premium petrol, known as XP100 rating fuel, which helps enhance the performance of vehicles, particularly high-end luxury cars and bikes.

The Supreme Court has determined that some clauses of the Public Financial Management Bill are inconsistent with the Constitution and can be passed only by a special majority and through a referendum, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced today.

While delivering a speech in Parliament today, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that an agreement was reached on June 26 with Sri Lanka's official creditors about debt repayment, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.

The price of a 12.5 kg cylinder of Litro domestic LP gas will be reduced by Rs.100 from midnight today, Litro Gas said. Accordingly, the new retail price of a cylinder of 12.5 kg LP gas will be Rs.3,690.

Veteran Tamil politician and parliamentarian R. Sampanthan passed away at a private hospital in Colombo today evening, aged 91. Sampanthan was one of the longest serving MPs with decades of experience and served as the Leader of the Tamil National Alliance for several years.

Canada wants see a peaceful, prosperous and reconciled Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner for Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Eric Walsh, said in a message to mark Canada Day.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan.

Kadiravel Shanmugam is to enter Parliament filling the vacancy created by the demise yesterday of TNA leader R. Samanthan. Shanmugam who contested the 2020 General Elections from Trincomalee District under the TNA ticket, obtained 16,770 votes.

The bail application (bail pending appeal) filed on behalf of former Colombo district Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra was today fixed for July 4 by the Colombo High Court.

Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa has expressed his condolences over the demise of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament and former Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan.

Many Sri Lankan mercenaries fighting in the Ukraine front have become Russian citizens, making it difficult to give them diplomatic support, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said.

Two Sri Lanka Navy personnel attached to the Intelligence Unit have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy's Special Investigation Unit over their alleged involvement in a large-scale drug smuggling racket.

A fuel price revision will take place tonight, the Power and Energy Ministry said. An official from the Ministry said the revision will take place according to the monthly fuel revision.

A Gazette notification was issued yesterday, declaring public transport services as an essential service The gazette was issued by the President's Secretary E.M.S.B. Ekanayake.

Senior Additional Solicitor General Parinda Ranasinghe is to be appointed as the Acting Attorney General of Sri Lanka. He is set sworn in before the Chief Justice tomorrow, July 1, Ada Derana reports.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has extended the validity of all passports that expire from June end by one year until the issuance of the e-passport project takes off in January next year.

Sri Lanka registered its concerns with India on the death of a navy sailor in his attempt to seize an Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters, an informed source said.

Whilst highlighting that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sarath Fonseka is a man of ability who never gives up, President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said Sri Lanka will get the opportunity of enjoying the services of the former in the near future.