Main schools in Colombo without principals

Some seven schools in Colombo including Royal is running without principals currently, the Education Ministry said yesterday.

Economic crisis stalls five high-rise buildings

Construction work of five high-rise buildings have been ground to a standstill because of the economic crisis that hit the country in 2022, and the Ministry of Urban Development is now at a loss to decide how to resume them since the project companies have either been declared bankrupt or mutually terminated projects, a top source said.

Can funds disbursed through President’s Fund be refunded?

In the wake of the recent revelation of politicians receiving money from the President’s Fund, many have questioned whether such disbursed funds can be refunded.

Selfie turns fatal: Two women killed by train

A female student and another woman were killed after being struck by an express train at the Anuradhapura New Town Railway Station.

Special security measures for Churches holding Christmas services

Special security measures will be enacted by the Police and tri forces for all churches across the country holding Christmas services.

First overhauled Kfir jet to join SLAF fleet by early 2025, as part of $50Mn upgrade

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is set to add one of its overhauled and upgraded Kfir multirole combat aircraft to its fleet within the first three months of next year, the Daily Mirror learns.

Is Israeli soldier known as ’terminator’ in Colombo? Police respond

In response to widespread concerns regarding the alleged presence of Israeli soldier Gal Ferenbook in Colombo, police said that they have not received any verified information on the matter.

India to play Champions Trophy games in Dubai

Dubai has been chosen as a neutral venue for India to play their matches at next year’s Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced.

Land surrounding Yala National Park unlawfully cleared

Controversy surrounds the illegal clearance of a plantation belonging to the Forest Conservation Department in the Lunugamwehera range adjacent to the Yala National Park.

Licence ready, Elon Musk’s Starlink yet to import devices to start operation

Despite Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, being granted licence to operate in Sri Lanka, the organization is yet to apply for the import of devices to be used in connecting to the service, a top source said.

Western Province bans private tutoring by school teachers

The Western Province Education Zonal Ministry has issued a circular prohibiting private tutoring classes for students by school teachers.

Do not organise school programmes disturbing Sunday school activities: Ministry

The Education Ministry has instructed all government schools not to organise various programmes on Sundays, as they may disrupt Sunday school activities.

Barath Arulsamy appointed vice president of Democratic People’s Front

The Democratic People’s Front (DPF), a prominent member of the Tamil Progressive Alliance and a key partner of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya coalition, appointed Barath Arulsamy as the party’s new Vice President.

Former govt’s hard work now yielding strong, tangible results: Semasinghe

The former government’s collective hard work and determination in steering the nation from crisis to growth are now yielding strong, tangible results, former State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said.

Special traffic operation from tomorrow

An island-wide traffic operation will be launched tomorrow to inspect passenger buses during the festive season, the Police Media Division said.

Chinese ship ‘Peace Ark’ to stay in Colombo till December 28

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy hospital ship ‘Peace Ark’ arrived in Colombo on a formal visit yesterday.

Over 2,000 die in road accidents this year alone

A total of 2,243 people have died in road accidents this year, police said.

“I will be going to China mid next month”; President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will travel to the island’s largest bilateral lender China for talks in January, he said on Saturday, days after completing a long-delayed foreign debt restructure.

Nine-year-old among five killed in attack on German Christmas market

A nine-year-old child and four adults have been killed after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg.

People have complete right to lie: Kottahachchi

People have the complete right to convince others that something true is false or something false is true, as it is a democratic right, NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi said today.

Three killed in bus accident

Three people have died and at least 30 others injured in an accident that occurred this morning (21) when a bus veered off the road on the Hatton-Kandy main road.

Lotus Tower extends operating hours till January 2

The Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited has announced extended operating hours for the festive season.

Over 90% of SL’s major disasters due to meteorological phenomena

The Department of Meteorology in a press release mentioned that Sri Lanka experiences more than 90% of its major disasters due to meteorological phenomena, with dozens of incidents occurring annually as a result of torrential rainfall.

SL exits ’Restricted Default’ rating

Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ’CCC+’, from ’RD’ (Restricted Default).

Western province leads economic contribution to 2023 GDP with 43.7% share

The Western province continued to lead the provincial gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, albeit slipping from the 2022 levels while the North Western and Central provinces following as the distant second and third in the provincial distribution of Sri Lanka’s total economic output.

Understanding Sri Lanka’s seasonal rice shortage: An analytical perspective

Sri Lanka’s recurring rice shortage during December and January has become a predictable yet pressing issue. This challenge is rooted in the country’s reliance on its two main paddy cultivation seasons, Maha and Yala, alongside structural inefficiencies in production, distribution, and storage systems. Understanding the statistical trends and underlying causes provides clarity on the situation and highlights actionable solutions.

Government hoping to update FTA with India: Vijitha

The government is hoping to initiate discussions with India to update the Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka, which was signed several decades ago, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said.

Halt harmful wildlife practices, adopt scientific solutions: CEJ urges President

The Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka to immediately halt informal practices across the island that harm wildlife and to adopt a scientific approach to environmental management.

Shooting incident in Galle leaves one dead

A person who was killed in a shooting incident in Dadalla, Galle today, the police said.

President hints at time period for LG, PC polls

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the Local Government elections are expected to be held before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in 2025.