Govt looks to India in Trincomalee, turns to China in Hambantota in oil refinery push

23 Jan 2025

14

Hot on the heels of signing an agreement with China’s Sinopec for an oil refinery in Hambantota, the government is planning to establish a similar facility in Trincomalee with the help of India if willing, a Minister said yesterday.

What happened to forensic audit into e-Visa scam? Champika Ranawaka asks Vijitha Herath

22 Jan 2025

10

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka queried about the fate of forensic audit regarding the e-Visa scam, as promised by Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath.

Foreign fuel distributors in dilemma

22 Jan 2025

8

The US-based petroleum products distributor ‘Shell-RM Parks’ which entered Sri Lanka’s retail market by running dealer-operated filling stations is now involved in a dilemma since some dealers are non-cooperative, and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPP ) finds it impossible to intervene due to loopholes in the agreement signed during the time of former Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, an official said.

Passport crisis

Prez seeks AG’s intervention to expedite hearing e-passport case

20 Jan 2025

7

Against the backdrop of the passport crisis worsening by the day, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the Attorney General to intervene in hearing the court case regarding the e-passport tender floated during the time of the last government in an expeditious manner, a Minister said yesterday.

China ready to bring in US $ 10 billion to Sri Lanka

18 Jan 2025

64

Sri Lanka stands the chance of attracting investments from Chinese companies amounting to around US $ 10 billion as a result of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit, Daily Mirror learns.

Good to see govt. pressing ahead with my initiative: Gammanpila

16 Jan 2025

16

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila who was the subject minister when Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) formed the joint venture called ‘ Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd ‘said he is happy to see the new government taking steps to press ahead with what was initiated at that time.

Will Govt import double-cabs for ruling party MPs?

16 Jan 2025

23

The government is grappling with a shortage of vehicles for the use of its MPs who don’t hold ministerial responsibilities, and at a loss whether to import double -cabs for them or find them from a different source, a minister said yesterday.

AG green lights e-passports

15 Jan 2025

0

In what appeared to be a sign that the current passport crisis will have a solution in sight, the Attorney General has given green light for the government to initiate the process of calling for tenders for e-passports despite the ongoing court case, a Minister said yesterday.

Govt mulls countrywide restrictions on private tuition by school teachers

13 Jan 2025

20

In the wake of reports about term test papers getting leaked , the Education Ministry mulls the introduction of certain restrictions on school teachers involved in giving private tuition, an official said.

Any Sri Lankan behind smuggling in Rohingyas? Probe begins

10 Jan 2025

5

Following Rohingya arrivals and intelligence reports about plans for further 100,000 such cases, the police have begun investigations to ascertain whether any Sri Lankan is involved behind this human smuggling racket, a Minister said yesterday.

Rohingya arrivals: UNHCR seeks continued compassion, hospitality from Sri Lanka

09 Jan 2025

10

The UNHCR or the UN Refugee Agency, which commended the life-saving actions taken by the Sri Lankan authorities and people to rescue and safely disembark Rohingya people who were distressed at sea, asked for continued compassion and hospitality from the Sri Lankan authorities.

India, Sri Lanka agree to revive ETCA talks - Indian envoy

08 Jan 2025

18

In response to a question about the seriousness of attention on the proposed resumption of talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha affirmed yesterday that, during the visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to New Delhi recently, it was agreed to revive talks with intent to conclude only.

Rohingya people rescued in SL victims of human trafficking: Minister

07 Jan 2025

15

The Public Security Ministry believes that over 100 Rohingya rescued while adrift on a fishing trawler are victims of a human trafficking scandal, bound for another destination

SriLankan Airlines authorities asked to submit plan for development

06 Jan 2025

32

The new government which abandoned the previous government’s plan on SriLankan Airlines has now asked its authorities to submit proposals for the development of the national carrier in five years, an informed source said.

Pakistan Naval Academy graduates cadets, including officers from Iraq, Sri Lanka

05 Jan 2025

0

The Pakistan Naval Academy held a commissioning parade on Saturday to mark the graduation of 49 midshipmen and 29 short-service commissioning cadets, including officers from Iraq, Sri Lanka and other countries, according to a statement from the Pakistan Navy as reported by Arab News.

Video

Let lovers make love. Why is social media bothered? asks Lalkantha

05 Jan 2025

24

Let lovers make love! Why should others bothered about it? What has social media got to do with it?’’ asked Agriculture Minister K.D. Lalkantha from the media after an event.

President to visit China from January 13-17

04 Jan 2025

20

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is slated to undertake his state visit to China from January 13 to 17, an informed source said.

Govt.’s new tax policy burdensome to people, harmful to economy

03 Jan 2025

22

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday that the tax policy regime of the new government would burden people further and cause harm to the economy.

Sri Lanka’s university system crippled with dearth of teachers

03 Jan 2025

12

Sri Lanka’s university system still remains crippled with a dearth of teachers, and the authorities concerned are struggling hard to find qualified persons to some of the positions fallen vacant at the moment, a minister said yesterday.

Passport queues to exist further in New Year

02 Jan 2025

22

The crisis involved in the issuance of passports is to exist further in the New Year, since the available stock is sufficient only for the first half of this year, and the government is still at a loss to call for tenders to get fresh copies of the P-series.