Unreasonable to allocate funds to MR, GR from budget: Vijitha

It is unreasonable to make budget allocations to former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa who have been held responsible by the Supreme Court for the economic crisis, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today.

’I was forced to swollow screw nails in Saudi’ - abused Sri Lankan maid reveals

Darshani, a Sri Lankan maid who returned from Saudi Arabia said she was forced to swallow screw nails with water by her employer which resulted in her being hospitalized.

A/L exams will not be postponed: Ministry

The Education Ministry has decided to hold the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations as scheduled following the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss the applications.

Rekawa is a UNP stalwart; President questions why he was verbally attacked in Parliament

Claiming that he was saddened by the verbal attack on Ariya Rekawa and his son in Parliament, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Rekawa was a UNP stalwart since 1970.

Israel, Hamas agree 4-day truce for hostage release

Israel and Hamas have agreed a deal for the release of 50 women and children hostages held in Gaza in return for 150 Palestinian women and children to be freed from Israeli jails during a four-day ceasefire, both sides announced on Wednesday morning.

Two students hospitalized after principal forces them to eat polythene

Two students of the Rambukpitiya Maha Vidyalaya in Nawalapitiya were rushed to the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital after the principal had allegedly forced them to eat polythene and newspapers.

AASL launches solar power generation project at BIA

Going ahead with the sustainable development goals, the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Private Limited (AASL) has taken steps to enhance the renewable energy share to meet the growing challenges before the power and energy sectors.

President assures to look into three letters sent by SLC to ICC

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today that he will look into the three letters that were sent by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Advisory issued on severe lightning, torrential rains

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and North-Western Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, the Meteorology Department forecast.

Permission granted for Kithul tapping in wildlife forest conservation areas

Considering the high demand for quality Kithul treacle and jaggery, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requested the Wildlife and Forestry Directors General to grant permission to those engaged in the Kitul tapping industry to tap trees in the wildlife and forest conservation areas.

Presidential, Parliamentary elections will be held next year: President tells Parliament

Both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections will be held next year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced today.

Customs seize heroin worth Rs. 270 million

A joint operation by the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit and Katunayaka Air Cargo Terminal Customs Office seized a stock of 10.5 kgs of heroin worth Rs. 270 million, the Sri Lanka Customs spokesman said.

Sri Lanka to host SAFF U-20 Football Tourney

Football Sri Lanka (FSL) will host the 2024 edition of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup Under-20 Men’s Football Tournament next year in Sri Lanka.

Cricket to trial stop clocks to speed up play in ODIs, T20s

The International Cricket Council on Tuesday said it will trial stop clocks between overs in men’s one-day and T20 internationals in a bid to speed up the game.

Immunoglobulin import case - Masterminds still at large: Unions

Referring to the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections, the trade unions claimed that the CID has only caught the minnows but the sharks are still lurking.

Tri-forces deployed for expressways amid token strike: CDS

In response to the 24-hour token strike initiated by the All-Island Expressway Workers’ Union, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva said they have deployed tri-forces and police personnel to manage ticket counters and provide security on the expressways.

USD 55,000 given by Jay Shah, Siraj for ground staff yet to be paid: Sajith

A sum of USD 50,000 donated by Asian Cricket Council chief Jay Shah and USD 5,000 given by Indian cricket star Siraj for the ground staff of Pallekele and R. Premadasa stadiums have not been paid yet, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

Parliamentary caucus on cricket to be formed: Speaker

A special parliamentary Caucus will be appointed to revive cricket in Sri Lanka, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced today.

Upcountry train services disrupted

The upcountry train services were disrupted this morning due to the collapse of an earth mound on the railway tracks between Ohiya and Idalgashinna stations, the Railways Department said.

Sanath Nishantha suspended for two weeks

SLPP MP Sanath Nishantha was suspended from Parliament sessions for two weeks from today over the unruly behaviour in Parliament yesterday, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane announced today.

Binance chief pleads guilty to money laundering charges

The Binance chief executive, Changpeng Zhao, has resigned after pleading guilty to money laundering violations.

All air traffic control operations at BIA digitalized

The primary air traffic control tower and the RADA operations center at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have commenced operations employing advanced digital technology.

No change in State sector wages in the year through September despite soaring costs

The official wage rate index for State sector employees showed that it hadn’t budged at all during the last 12 months, perhaps making the case for the substantial increase in the cost of living allowance for the public servants announced in the 2024 budget.

Sri Lanka signs agreement to send workers to Israel

Sri Lanka has entered into an agreement with Israel to send workers to be employed in the latter’s agricultural sector, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Conducting after-school fee-based tutoring in Uva Province banned from today

Fee-based tutoring classes conducted for children in Grades 1 to 5 in primary schools in the Uva Province by teachers after school hours on weekends or holidays are completely banned from today (22).

National inflation slightly accelerates to 1% in October

Consumer prices, as measured by the National Consumer Price Index rose 1 percent in the 12 months through October 2023, a slight uptick from the 0.8 percent in September as inflation, having reached its lowest point last month due to higher base effects last year, may have bottomed out.

Sale of three flavored cigarette products stopped with immediate effect

The sale of three types of flavored cigarette products distributed by Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) has been stopped with immediate effect.

IGP issues circular on seminars discriminating LGBTIQ community

The Attorney General’s Department has informed the Court of Appeal that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) has issued a circular preventing police officers from conducting training sessions, lectures or seminars which dehumanize and discriminate against the LGBTIQ community in the country.

Government allocates Rs. 10 billion for upcoming elections

A dedicated allocation of Rs. 10 billion has been reserved for potential future elections, said State Minister for Plantations, Enterprise Reforms and Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.

Blind jumbo rescued from rising waters of Kalawewa

Officials from the Galkiriyagama Wildlife Office rescued a blind elephant that was in danger of drowning while crossing the swollen Kalawewa River.