President calls Armed forces to maintain public order

With the Presidential election scheduled for September 21, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification calling upon the Armed Forces to maintain public order across the country with effect from August 27.

Teachers, principals to receive pay hike from 24% to 35% by January 2025

Government employees, including teachers and principals, will receive a salary increase of 24% to 35% by January 1, 2025, along with the rectification of salary anomalies, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Ranil’s manifesto to be launched on Thursday

The manifesto of independent Presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe is to be launched on Thursday August 29 2024, National Secretary of the UNP Ravi Karunanayake said today.

SJB ready to talk with IMF any time: Harsha

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is ready for the challenge posed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe for a live dicussion with the IMF, MP Harsha De Silva said today.

Namal pledges to protect dignity of armed forces

A future Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government will protect the dignity of the armed froces, SLPP Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa said today.

Stay hydrated as sun directly over Sri Lanka for 10 days

The sun will be directly over Sri Lanka from August 28 to September 06 because of its movement southward, the Meteorological Department said.

Diana indicted before High Court for unlawful dual citizenship

The Attorney General has filed an indictment before the Colombo High Court against former State Minister Diana Gamage in connection with the alleged unlawful dual citizenship incident.

SJB to implement special two-year programme to eliminate poverty: Sajith

A Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) government will implement a special two-year programme to eliminate poverty in the country, SJB leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Government approves printing school textbooks for 2025

Government approval was granted to call for national competitive bids for printing the remaining 246 categories of school textbooks required for free distribution to schoolchildren during 2025.

Two Indian fishermen missing after boat accident near Kachchatheevu

Two Indian fishermen are reported missing after their boat was involved in an accident near Kachchatheevu, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

EC chairman invites EU representatives to observe 2024 election

The Chairman of the Elections Commission has invited the European Union (EU) to send a group of representatives for observation of the Presidential election in 2024, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana announced.

The race for the mace: Remaining World Test Championship fixtures

We take a look at all the fixtures remaining in the lead-up to next year’s ICC World Test Championship final.

Ranil and Sajith should unite: Rajitha

While stating that former MP Thalatha Athukorala was correct in calling for unity between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, MP Rajitha Senaratne said today that this is the best course of action for the country.

Apparent cyberattack leaves Seattle airport facing major internet outages

An apparent cyberattack disrupted internet, phones, email and other systems at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for a third day on Monday as Port of Seattle officials worked to investigate the outages and restore full service.

Bangladesh players rally behind accused teammate Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh players have rallied round teammate Shakib Al Hasan, the ousted lawmaker who faces a case of alleged murder connected to unrest that toppled the government earlier this month.

Fowzie gets two years suspended imprisonment

Former State Minister A.H.M. Fowzie, who pleaded guilty to a corruption case, was sentenced today by the Colombo High Court to a two-year suspended imprisonment.

Australia introduces cap on international students

Australia will introduce a cap on the number of new international students it accepts, as it tries to reduce overall migration to pre-pandemic levels.

President meets Ramanya Maha Nikaya Mahanayaka thera

President Ranil Wickramasinghe met the Sri Lanka Ramanya Maha Nikaya’s Mahanayaka Aggamaha Pandita Most Venerable Makulewe Wimala Nayaka Thero this morning and received his blessings.

ICC announces revised schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE

Ten teams will play 23 matches, over 18 action-packed days, at two venues in the UAE, the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, as the world’s best battle it out for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket.

Surging seas are coming for us all, warns UN chief

The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said that big polluters have a clear responsibility to cut emissions – or risk a worldwide catastrophe.

SJB, SLPP to release Presidential election manifestos soon

The Presidential election manifestos of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) are set to be released soon.

Kanchana Banagoda appointed SL Navy’s Chief of Staff

Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from August 16, by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Seven killed in ’most massive’ Russian air attack, Ukraine says

Russia has launched one of its biggest air attacks on Ukraine of the war so far, the head of the Ukrainian air force has said.

Two in five women have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence by a partner: UNFPA

Two in five (or 39.8%) women have experienced physical, sexual and emotional violence by a partner in their lifetime according to the Sri Lanka National Survey on Violence against Women conducted in 2019 by the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

Diplomatic cable claiming victory for AKD: Indian High Commission debunks report

A spokesperson for the Indian High Commission in Colombo debunked a social media report in circulation that National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to win the elections, according to an Indian diplomatic cable.

Presidential candidates barred from throwing parties for voters

The conduct of parties to lavish people with food, drinks or refreshments by the presidential candidates amounts to an offence under treating, in accordance with the Presidential Elections Act and therefore they are barred from doing so, an official said yesterday.

July apparel export earnings up 3.3% YoY

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector performance expanded in the month of July from the corresponding period of the previous year, indicating an improvement in the order books.

UK overtakes Russia to become 2nd largest source market in cumulative tourist arrivals

The United Kingdom (UK) has overtaken Russia as the second largest source market for the first time this year, in cumulative tourist arrivals as of August 22, recording 125,103 arrivals.

United Petroleum targets 350-400mn litres of fuel sales in SL

Australia’s United Petroleum, the latest entry into Sri Lanka’s retail fuel market, targets to supply the Sri Lankan market with 350-400 million litres.

ADIC urges presidential candidates to address drug, alcohol issues

The Alcohol and Drug Information Center (ADIC) has put forward 12 key recommendations for the upcoming presidential candidates, focusing on tackling the pressing issues related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs in Sri Lanka.