Excise Department suspends licenses of five liquor companies

The Excise Department said the licenses of five liquor manufacturing companies have been suspended due to their failure to pay tax arrears.

CA issues interim order suspending Customs’ seizure notice on electric cars

The Court of Appeal issued an interim order suspending the operation of the seizure notices and restraining the Customs from arresting or curtailing the liberties of the petitioner as part and parcel of any inquiry or investigation in respect of the import of the motor vehicles.

Namal acquitted and released from money laundering case

The Colombo High Court today acquitted and released former Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa and five others from the money laundering case, without calling defence evidence.

Champika defends AKD over linguistic slip

Sri Lanka Republican Front (SLRF) leader MP Patalia Champika Ranawaka has come to the defense of JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake following criticism related to a linguistic slip in his discussion about graphene.

Loan concessions to small and medium-scale industries in upcoming budget: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government is aiming to introduce measures that provide bank loan concessions to support small and medium-scale industries in the upcoming budget.

Sri Lankan players to wear black-arm bands

Sri Lanka players will wear black armbands during today’s game against India to pay tribute to the late Percy Abeysekera, the legendary cheerleader, the Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Water capacity of all reservoirs exceeds 50%: Irrigation Dept.

Due to the heavy rains, the water capacity of all reservoirs has exceeded 50 percent, Irrigation (Hydrology) Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara Bandara said.

Seventeen Sri Lankans stranded in Gaza permitted to move to Egypt

Due to the conflict between Hamas and Israel, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has granted permission for the seventeen members, who belonged to three Sri Lankan families, to enter Egypt through the Rafah Border, which is the sole crossing point between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, embassy sources revealed.

Record breakers: South Africa make more history at Cricket World Cup

Arampant South Africa continue to shatter records with their big-hitting and huge totals, but the Proteas’ attack has also set new benchmarks during an imperious run at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Boss of Indonesia cough syrup maker jailed after child deaths

Since 2022, more than 200 Indonesian children, most of whom were under the age of five, have died of acute kidney injuries linked to contaminated cough syrup.

Twelfth ETCA discussions between SL and India conclude

Sri Lanka and India concluded the 12th round of Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) negotiations yesterday (01), the President’s Media Division said.

New members appointed to Education and Health Services Committees of PSC

New chairmen and members were appointed to the Education and Health Services Committees of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Asia Cup final defeat will add motivation, says coach Silverwood

As host India and Sri Lanka square off in a World Cup group league fixture at the Wankhede Stadium, Sri Lanka head coach Chris Silverwood believes that the Asia Cup final debacle would motivate his team to put up a fight.

Showers above 75mm on the cards today

Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology forecast.

Kalatuwawa reservoir spills after five years

The Kalatuwawa reservoir, which is one of the tanks in the Kelani Ganga basin, has started to spill after five years, the Irrigation Department said.

Over 200 drugs still in shortage in Sri Lanka

Despite a string of ongoing challenges in the health sector, Sri Lanka continues to face a shortage of 217 drugs, according to an official.

All universities will launch token strike today

All 17 state universities countrywide launched a token strike today over several demands, including salary issues and the slashing of funds granted to universities.

Vehicle exportation as a solution for sustainable traffic balance: Sagala

To ensure a sustainable balance in the number of vehicles on the road, there’s a need to consider exporting a certain quantity of vehicles from the country, the Senior Adviser on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff to President Sagala Ratnayaka said.

China secures another strategic investment in Sri Lanka

China’s Sinopec is to make an initial investment of US$1.5 billion, the single largest foreign direct investment (FDI), in building a refinery in Hambantota once the agreement is finalized within the next two weeks, a top source said.

115 children lost, young workforce losing their lives or facing disabilities

A total of 115 children have tragically lost their lives as a result of road accidents in Sri Lanka during this year, Expert Committee to Prevent Road Accidents Chairman Prof. Samath Dharmaratne said.

CID arrests ’small fish’ while big fish go free: Lawyer

The attorney, representing the company owner accused of bringing substandard vaccines into Sri Lanka, revealed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had apprehended and brought before the court a ‘small fish’ linked to the case and there are still ‘bigger fish’ involved in this matter out there.

Economy still on a knife edge, leaving no room for policy reversals: Dr. Coorey

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka may seem to have mellowed from what it was when it erupted in 2022 but the island nation still stands on a knife edge and there’s simply no room for setting off policy reversals, asserted a top economist, yesterday.

Sri Lanka launches new initiatives to retain skilled workforce in hospitality and tourism

In an effort to tackle the brain drain issue faced by the tourism sector, the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) has initiated rolling out short-term training programmes, where it will be mandatory for the students to serve the local hospitality sector to receive the certification.

WB Managing Director urges need for reform continuity

World Bank Managing Director for Operations Anna Bjerde concluded her four-day visit to Sri Lanka yesterday, encouraging the Government of Sri Lanka to stay the course on reforms for recovery and sustainable growth.

Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera apologises for distorting Tripitaka and Buddha’s character

Ven. Pitiduwe Siridhamma Thera was strongly advised by the Mahanayake and Karaka Maha Sangha Sabha of the Malwathu Chapter to avoid making sermons by distorting Tripitaka and the Buddha’s character.

Pirith mandapaya made up of discarded lottery tickets

Kalupe Navaganna Kola Watta, Sri Khettarama Vihara in Hikkaduwa created a pirith mandapa from discarded lottery tickets and conducted the all-night pirith chanting on October 28.

UN Resident Coordinator offers support for Online Safety Bill in Sri Lanka

United Nations Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche informed Public Security Minister Tiran Alles that support will be provided for the exchange of ideas and proposals with international organizations concerning the Online Safety Bill.

State revenue increases pressure on poor: Eran

The government’s efforts to increase state revenue are acceptable, but it should have a good understanding of which tax should be increased and from whom the tax should be collected, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne said.

Tesla aims to make 200,000 Cybertrucks a year

Tesla is aiming to make 200,000 units of its electric pickup truck, Cybertruck, per year, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said on Tuesday.

Capybara’s arrive at Dehiwela Zoo

A pair of male and female Capybaras have been flown to Sri Lanka under the animal exchange scheme between the Czech Republic and Sri Lanka and handed over to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens.