Gazette issued to resume vehicle imports

An extraordinary gazette notification has been issued today on the import of vehicles, by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, exercising the powers granted to him as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Additional Magistrate raises concerns on unusual delay in Yoshitha’s case

While ordering the release of Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on bail in connection with a money laundering case involving a 31.5-perch property with a house valued at Rs. 34 million in Ratmalana, Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake observed that there was insufficient evidence before the court to justify refusing bail for the suspect.

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Edirisinghe appointed new SLAF commander

Air Vice Marshal Vasu Bandula Edirisinghe has been appointed as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, effective from 29th January 2025, according to government sources.

India reports first suspected Guillain-Barré Syndrome death

A Pune-based patient has died after contracting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), making it the first suspected death in Maharashtra due to the disease. He passed away in Maharashtra’s Solapur district, where he was visiting his native village for personal work. Meanwhile, the over 100 cases of GBS have now been recorded in Pune.

Both SJB leader, others in party should change their ways: SJB MP

Both the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader and party members should change certain ways in which they act in order to convert it into a vibrant force, MP Harshana Rajakaruna said.

ICC Awards 2024: The latest winners revealed

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the latest set of winners in the ongoing ICC Awards 2024, with the outstanding cricketers in Men’s Tests and Men’s and Women’s ODIs revealed on ICC channels.

Special traffic plan in Colombo for Independence Day rehearsals

The Colombo Traffic Division said today that a special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo from January 29 to February 2, between 6:00 AM and 12:00 noon, in connection with rehearsals for the 77th National Independence Day celebrations.

Today’s CBSL official exchange rates

The Sri Lankan Rupee has appreciated against the US Dollar today (Jan 27), compared to last week.

Moderate air quality in cities, good air quality only in Nuwara Eliya

According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) in major urban areas across the country, a moderate level of air quality was recorded in most cities, while a good level was observed in Nuwara Eliya, the Vehicular Emission Test Trust Fund of the Department of Motor Traffic said.

Bribery Commission files three corruption cases against former Minister

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption said it has filed three cases against former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratna.

Clean air in most of Thailand

Residents of 44 provinces enjoyed good to very good air quality on Monday morning, while 12 of the 76 provinces had orange (starting to affect health) levels of PM2.5, according to Gistda.

India, Sri Lanka are civilisational partners: Acting High Commissioner

Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Dr. Satyanjal Pandey emphasised the deep-rooted ties between India and Sri Lanka, describing the two nations as ’’civilisational partners’’ with intertwined histories and futures.

I raise my voice in Parliament, but my brother ends up in jail: Namal

If the government spends its time solving the problems of the people instead of targeting politicians and their families, it will help strengthen the economy, enabling citizens to eat three meals a day which is far more worthwhile, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said.

Sri Lanka imports salt from India

Sri Lanka today (27) received a shipment of 1,485 metric tons of salt imported from India to mitigate a shortage in the local market.

Duck DNA found in engines of South Korea plane that killed 179

Investigators say they have found evidence of a bird strike on a passenger plane that crashed in South Korea in December and killed 179 people.

View six planets align in night-sky parade in January, February

A rare alignment of six planets—Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune—takes place these days, offering a spectacular sight for astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers alike, Director of the Astronomy and Space Science Unit, Department of Physics, Colombo University, and Chairman of the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies, Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, said.

TPA accuses ruling NPP of bulldozing parliamentary democratic system

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) accused ruling National People’s Power (NPP) of trying to bulldoze parliamentary democracy by not allowing the Opposition to have adequate representation in various committees in the House.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa granted bail

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was arrested by the CID under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Woman arrested over social media post on hanging of dog

The Mankulam Police arrested a 48-year-old woman over a social media post depicting a dog being hanged.

Appeals for re-evaluation of Grade 5 exam begin today

Commissioner General of Examinations, Amit Jayasundara said today that appeals for the re-evaluation of the 2024 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination results will commence from today.

Impeached S Korean president charged with insurrection

South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has been charged with insurrection after he attempted to declare martial law in December.

’Let’s wait and see what happens’: Ranil

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in response to an inquiry about the shortage of red rice and the soaring prices of coconuts by a group of residents in Galle yesterday, said, ’’Let’s wait and see what happens.

RW’s adviser sends letter of demand to Minister Vidyaratne

Adviser to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that former Governor of the Southern Province Keerthi Thennekoon has sent in a letter of demand to Minister of Plantations Samantha Vidyaratne asking him to pay Rs 100 million as damages for the alleged defamatory statements the latter had made.

Ministries to be monitored

The National People’s Power (NPP) is in the process of appointing committees to play advisory and supervisory roles for each ministry, a party official said.

US $ 900,000 paid monthly for three years for three aircraft grounded

Authorities at SriLankan Airlines had paid the US $ 900,000 a month for three years as the lease for three aircraft despite them being grounded due to lack of engine spare parts, a minister said.

Stealth reduction of cigarette tax rates

The tax-in-price for cigarettes in Sri Lanka has reduced dramatically since 2020, falling below both the international benchmark of 75 percent and past norms in Sri Lanka.

Govt. urged to manage vehicle demand surge with phased taxation

As the importation of passenger vehicles is set to reopen with effect from 1st February, the government is being urged to adopt a tax system to address the possible initial surge in demand for vehicle imports and to minimise revenue leakage through under-invoicing.

January tourist arrivals surpass 170,000 in three weeks

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have crossed the 170,000 mark within the first three weeks of January, provisional data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) showed.

If MR has no place to go, will provide suitable house: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today that if former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has no other house to settle in, the government will provide him with a suitable house.

Grade 5 exam score reflects collapse of primary education: Stalin

Even after awarding free marks for three answers, the minimum score in the recent Grade Five scholarship examination results has dropped by ten points, reflecting the collapse of primary education in Sri Lanka, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary, Joseph Stalin said.