University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Sampath Amaratunga yesterday said all universities under the purview of the UGC will commence academic activities from August 17 as usual.

The Navy had recovered 02 gunny sacks full of dried turmeric, hidden at the Oluthuduwai beach (13th August 2020). It is believed that these items might have been smuggled into the island by sea.

The Eastern Naval Command, during separate operations conducted in the sea areas of Poonadi in Serunuwara, Kokkuthuduwai in Mullaitivu and Boulder Point in Trincomalee in the past two weeks, had apprehended twenty seven (27) persons engaged in illegal fishing.