COPE meetings suspended until further notice: Speaker

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) will not be convened until issues pertaining to its chairman is resolved, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced today.

Tracks cleared, upcountry train services back to normal

Obstructions to the upcountry railway line near the Diyatalawa railway station caused by a rock fall have been cleared and train services are back to normal.

VAT increase in January will not affect electricity bills

Even though the value-added tax (VAT) has been increased from January, it will not affect several sectors, including electricity tariffs, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Court orders police not to arrest Pastor Jerome on arrival at airport

The Court of Appeal today issued an order directing police not to arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando on his arrival at the airport or anywhere in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon.

'He'll go down as one of the legends’: De Kock bows out of ODIs

Quinton de Kock’s One Day International career has come to a close with defeat in Thursday’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia.

Colombo-Badulla train stuck due to rock fall

The night-mail train from Colombo Fort to Badulla has been stuck between Haputale and Diyatalawa railway stations due to a rock falling on the train and the railway line this morning, the Railways Department said.

Sri Lankan businessman kidnapped in India

A Sri Lanka-based businessman, kidnapped by a gang of six, including a woman, over a financial transaction, was rescued by city police in Chennai after they received a distress call from the abducted man’s daughter who lives in Sri Lanka.

SC holds W.D.Lakshman, Cabraal, S.R. Atygalle, Kumarasinghe violated public trust

While holding the guilty persons’ liable and naming them, including one member of the Monetary Board, the Supreme Court in its recent judgment regarding two fundamental rights petitions filed over economic crisis, decided not to make any adverse decisions or orders against two Monetary Board members President’s Counsel Dr. Sanjeeva Jayawardena and Dr. Ranee Jayamaha.

STF seizes illegally imported cigarettes worth Rs.1.3 billion in Grandpass

The Police Special Task Force (STF) seized a 40-foot container in the Grandpass area, with over 10 million sticks of cigarettes with a street value of Rs. 1,300 million.

New syllabus for sex education in the offing

In a significant move to address the rising concerns of child abuse, the government is mulling a new syllabus for sex education in schools.

Millionaire businessman father’s vehicle crashes into son’s vehicle

Two cars driven by a millionaire businessman in Beruwala area and his son deliberately collided head-on each other in the early hours of yesterday (16) in Beruwala town, causing damage to the two vehicles, police said.

2023 Grade five scholarship exam: Cut-off marks released

The Examinations Department today released the cut-off marks for the enrolment of students into Grade Six next year, based on the 2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Onmax DT directors released on bail

The five directors of the Onmax DT private company, who were arrested pertaining to the operation of an illegal pyramid scheme, were released on three sureties of Rs. 10 million each by Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis yesterday (16).

2023 Grade 5 exam results release today

The Examinations Department announced the release of the 2023 Grade 5 scholarship examination results today, the Department’s Commissioner General H.J.M.C Amith Jayasundara said.

Australia beat South Africa to reach World Cup final

David Miller registered a stunning knock of 101 off 116 balls to help South Africa score 212 runs while batting first at Eden Gardens. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc took three wickets each for Australia to make a difference in the second semifinal.

LIOC assures highest quality products to Sri Lankan consumers

Lanka IOC (LIOC) assures Sri Lankan consumers the highest standards in all its products reaching them.

Sports Minister orders probe into Pramodya’s match-fixing allegations

Minister of sports Roshan Ranasinghe has ordered a probe on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee Chairman Pramodya Wickramasinghe’s statement where he had made allegations on match fixing and betting.

Rajapaksas are not the only perpetrators

Rajapakas are not the only perpetrators when it comes to the economic downturn that Sri Lanka has suffered, a senior UNPer said.

President leaves for Maldives

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island a short while ago to attend the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, president-elect of the Republic of Maldives, the President’s Media Division said.

Customs detect 16 gold gel capsules worth Rs. 110 million

A total of 16 gold gel capsules worth Rs. 110 million were seized by the customs officials attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

74 schools with hazardous buildings identified: Susil

Some 74 schools with hazardous buildings have been identified, including Thurston College, Colombo and Tangalle Balika Vidyalaya, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today.

Customs seize Kush worth Rs.60 mn

Customs officers today seized a special cannabis variety ’Kush’ valued at around Rs. 60 million at the commodity inspection yard in the Orugudawatta Revenue Monitoring Unit, Customs media spokesman Sivali Arukgoda said.

Two arrested for kidnapping school girl; main suspect at large

The Kalutara South Police arrested a three-wheeler driver and a woman following a complaint over an alleged kidnapping of a female school student.

Pellets found in elephant’s head recovered from Kirindi Oya

Judging from the pellets found in the head of the elephant recovered from Kirindi Oya at Thelulla colony in Kudaoya, wildlife conservators have decided that the jumbo had been shot dead.

Solar power project for religious places by end this year

By the end of this year, the work on the first phase of the solar power project for religious places of worship will be completed, Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayake said.

Former government sabotaged Easter Sunday attacks probe, retired Senior DIG alleges

A retired Senior DIG has shed new light on claims that the former Sri Lankan government may have colluded with a terrorist group for political gain, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, including Australians, in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

Mahinda Rajapaksa says he will not accept SC judgement

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he would not accept the Supreme Court judgement that he and several others in the government were responsible for mishandling the economic crisis in the country.

Release of substandard diesel: Sajith wants comprehensive report

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the Power and Energy Minister to provide a comprehensive report to Parliament over the release of a substandard stock of diesel to the market despite quality failures.

'Threat to my life and family’: Roshan complains to Speaker

Claiming that there are threats to his life and his family, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe requested the Speaker to look into his security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s special envoy to visit Sri Lanka

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Special Envoy and State Councillor Shen Yiqin will visit Sri Lanka from November 18 to 21, at the invitation of the government.