Royal Pardon for 44 Sri Lankans in UAE

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, in response to allegations about the tender process, said there is no such requirement to call for tenders because these are the only companies involved in e-visa processing in different countries.

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The Sri Lankan rupee has now become one of the fastest-growing currencies in the world, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

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The highly debated Minimum Room Rate (MRR), which has the tourism industry divided, would come to an end, at the end of this month, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando confirmed.

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The award of contract for issuing on-arrival visas at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to a foreign consortium including VFS Global as the key technology partner is mired in further controversy since it has been done without following due tender process, any consideration to a threat on national security and the impact on increased charges from foreign nationals on the country’s burgeoning tourism industry.

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As the Cabinet is currently considering extending free visa travel to tourists from 67 countries, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando opined that Sri Lanka should consider doing away with visa altogether for tourists.

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Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando attempted to play down the controversy surrounding the high visa charges incurred by tourists arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport earlier this week, adding that a fresh gazette with revised fees will be issued next week.

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Former New Zealand player and 2015 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup finalist Corey Anderson has been named in USA’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

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The Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan Yoko Kamikawa is scheduled to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka for two days from tomorrow (4), the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

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Reporters Without Borders (RFS) unveiled its annual World Press Freedom Index on Friday, revealing a concerning trend for Sri Lanka as it plummeted to the 150th position.

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When the country has an accepted legal system in place, it is shameful and dangerous for a senior minister to say to eliminate the criminals and to threaten the lawyers not to appear for them, a lawyers’ collective said today.

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UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has said it is up to Ukraine to decide how to use British weapons and insisted it has the right to strike targets on Russian territory.

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West Indies announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be co-hosted by the Caribbean nations and the USA.

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SriLankan Airlines has issued a statement addressing the recent incident involving Flight UL 503 bound for London, which was diverted to Vienna International Airport in Austria due to a medical emergency.

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Former President Maithripala Sirisena made a significant appearance today at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to provide a statement regarding the Easter Sunday terror attacks that rocked the nation.

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The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry has decided to accelerate plans for the development of the Port of Galle into a tourist port.

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The Player Auction of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 will be conducted on May 21, 2024 at the Hotel Shangri-La, Colombo starting at noon.

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A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order restraining authorities including the Excise Department from issuing any new excise licenses to any applicant in violation of the provisions of the Excise Ordinance.

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Tensions escalated near Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo 07 as police resorted to using water cannons to disperse a group of protesting medical students.

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A significant section of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha has been temporarily shut down to vehicular traffic owing to a protest staged by medical students.

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The naval and fishing communities involved in activities from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota are advised to remain vigilant as swell wave heights and periods may rise in the sea areas, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre said.

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The price of a plate of fried rice and kottu will be reduced by Rs. 20 from tonight, the Canteen Owners’ Association announced.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the 26 match officials for the first round of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies.

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South Africa will host Sri Lanka for two tests and Pakistan for an all-formats tour in the 2024-25 home summer, officials confirmed on Friday, with the women’s team to play a first test on home soil since 2002 when they welcome England.

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Former Sri Lankan cricket captain and former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga refuted reports that he had joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) though he appeared in a May Day rally in Talawakale which Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had attended.

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The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided to take up for debate the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provisions)(Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) which includes provisions for the suspension of the Parate Law till 15 December 2024, on May 7,2024, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

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Laugfs Gas PLC today announced a substantial reduction in the prices of its Laugfs-branded domestic liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), effective midnight.

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Tourism stakeholders said Sri Lanka now has highest visa costs in Asia, creating a significant barrier for tourists compared to competing destinations like Thailand, Vietnam and many other destinations that offer free visas or charge much lower fees.

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The price of a 12.5 kg domestic Litro LP gas cylinder will reduced by Rs.175 from midnight today, Litro Gas said

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The second phase of the first school term for 2024 will end today, the Education Ministry said.

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Patients seeking medical treatment at government hospitals across the country are facing significant inconvenience due to a shortage of medicines, forcing them to seek alternatives in private pharmacies.

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Sri Lanka will have another round of talks with the representatives of the ad hoc group of bondholders soon, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

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The President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Shammi Silva, accompanied by Acting Secretary Mr. Chryshantha Kapuwatte, enhanced Sri Lanka Cricket’s existing ties with the Japan Cricket Association during a visit to Japan.

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The Planters’ Association (PA) of Ceylon representing Regional Plantation Companies (RPC) is moving ahead to object to the Rs.1700 daily wage increase proposed for plantation workers, while asserting that a final decision is yet to be reached on the matter.

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The shortlist of authors for the coveted Gratiaen Prize was recently announced by the Gratiaen Trust in partnership with the John Keells Foundation and with the support of British Council as its event partner.

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a five-year period of ineligibility from all cricket on West Indies player Devon Thomas after he accepted breaching seven counts of the anti-corruption codes of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

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Professor Nalin de Silva, a prominent figure in the realms of philosophy, academia and diplomacy passed away at the age of 79.

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