Defence Ministry investigates dual role of Civil Security Department members

The Ministry of Defence has announced that an investigation is underway to determine whether members of the Civil Security Department, who have been assigned to carry out tasks at places of worship, state and other institutions, are engaged in activities beyond their official duties.

Court stays SLC Interim Committee

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the operation of the gazette notification in respect of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Interim Committee appointed by the Sports Minister.

Azharuddin slapped with four corruption cases

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been slapped with four cases of alleged corruption, mere weeks prior to the Telangana assembly elections. The cricketer-turned-politician is planning to contest the elections from Jubilee Hills constituency.

No inferior quality diesel stock released: Mìnister responds

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara refuted claims that inferior quality diesel stock is being released to the market.

Substandard diesel stock being released: Sajith

A stock of 40,000 MTs of substandard diesel is being released to the market despite quality failures, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa revealed today.

Central Bank cancels Bimputh Finance license and initiates compensation payments

While issuing a public notice, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced that the license issued to Bimputh Finance PLC (BFP) to carry on finance business has been cancelled with effect from September 1, 2023.

Supreme Court dismisses petitions challenging Anti-Terrorism Bill

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petitions filed against the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Mathews releases ‘video evidence’ to refute umpire’s two-minute claim

Angelo Mathews has refuted the fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock’s claims that the batter, who was ‘Timed out’ against Bangladesh, was not ready to face his first delivery within two minutes of walking in before his helmet broke, saying the team has video evidence of him being ready in time.

Misty conditions expected in four provinces during morning

Misty conditions can be expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Uva Provinces during the morning, and heavy showers above 75 mm will occur in most provinces, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Sri Lanka cricket in shambles

Hours after Sports Minister Roshan Ranasingha appointed an interim committee headed by former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga to assume control of Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday, an angry President Ranil Wickremesinghe telephoned Ranasingha and asked for an immediate explanation as to why he had made such a move without consulting him or the cabinet.

Officer charged with damaging historical site appointed to Buddhist Affairs Ministry

A new episode on the story of the destruction of the historical Raja Saba Mandapa in Kurunegala has emerged, with an officer attached to the Kurunegala Municipal Council charged with the crime reportedly appointed as an Additional Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs denying knowledge of it.

MP Raheem's party membership revoked over gold smuggling incident

The party membership of Puttalam district MP Ali Sabry Raheem, who has been involved in the smuggling of gold and mobile phones into the country, has been revoked by the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC).

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka at World Cup after Mathews ’timed out’ row

Chasing 280 for victory, Bangladesh rode on a 169-run stand between Najmul Hasan Shanto (90) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (82) to reach their target with three wickets and 53 balls to spare.

Lalith Kotelawala was held hostage: Family tells court

Businessman and former Ceylinco Consolidated Chairman Lalith Kotelawala was held hostage by a group of people by restricting his free movements, the family told the court.

Evacuation of 11 Sri Lankans from Gaza: Sri Lanka commends Qatar’s facilitation

Foreign Affairs Minister M.U.M. Ali Sabry appreciated the constructive role played by Qatar in opening the Rafah border crossing, which allowed hundreds of foreigners, including 11 Sri Lankans, to enter Egypt from the Gaza Strip.

Cabinet sub-committee appointed to look into effects of cricket interim committee

It has been decided to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry to determine the effects of the interim committee appointed by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, sources from the President’s office said.

Will not alter mandatory 28-day training policy for domestic workers: Minister

The government will not alter its policies regarding the mandatory 28-day training for individuals departing for foreign employment as domestic workers, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Rs. 237 billion to be allocated for education through Budget 2024: Susil

A sum of Rs. 237 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Education’s budget for the year 2024, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Three Bangladeshi nationals arrested while attempting to flee to Malaysia

Three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested this afternoon at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to flee to Malaysia using forged Malaysian visas.

Veteran singer Athula Sri Gamage passes away

Veteran singer Athula Sri Gamage, aged 60, passed away while receiving treatment at the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital, family sources said.

People will take to street unless Presidential polls held before October 17: AKD

Claiming that the Presidential election should be held before October 17 next year, NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said people will take to the streets again if the election was not held according to the Constitution.

CID grills Health Ministry Secretary

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has recorded a statement from the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Janaka Sri Chandragupta.

Top US official to visit Sri Lanka

From November 7-8, 2023, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott Nathan will visit Colombo to participate in a launch event for a new DFC investment at the Port of Colombo that will provide critical infrastructure for the South Asian region.

Diana Gamage, two MPs tarnished dignity of Parliament: Committee reveals

The initial investigations into the alleged assault on State Minister Diana Gamage at the Parliament lobby revealed that all three MPs, namely Diana Gamage, Sujith Sanjaya Perera and Rohana Bandara, who were involved in the incident, had acted while tarnishing the dignity of Parliament, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksha said today.

First time in international cricket: Mathews timed out against Bangladesh

In what is a first in international cricket, Sri Lanka batsman Angelo Mathews was given timed out during the ICC Cricket World Cup match against Bangladesh, after he attempted to replace a broken helmet before he could take strike.

Severe lightning; red alert issued for 20 districts

A red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 20 districts, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said today.

Rs.1,000 million distributed to farmers’ accounts for paddy cultivation

A sum of Rs. 1,000 million has been given as the first installment of the financial subsidy to all the farmers who cultivate paddy, the Agriculture Ministry said.

One lane of Badulla-Colombo road in Bathgoda reopened

Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall blocked a section of the Badulla-Colombo road in Bathgoda yesterday, causing traffic disruption in the area.

Double paddy cultivation to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in rice: President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Agriculture Ministry to take all necessary measures to double the paddy cultivation in the country in the next six cropping seasons in order to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in rice.

SL’s Pekoe Trails bags Best Wider World Tourism Project award

Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trails won the Best Wider World Tourism Project organized by the British Guild of Travel Writers.