Colombo District Court issues enjoining order on G.P. Nissanka

The Colombo District Court issued an enjoining order today on G.P. Nissanka, restraining him from compiling and disseminating defamatory content against Defence Secretary, General (Rtd) Kamal Gunaratne.

Army cook posing as Colonel arrested for robbery

A former army civilian cook posing as a Colonel wanted in connection with a robbery on June 23 was taken into custody by the Moneragala Division Crime Investigation Unit with the help of the Military Police during a raid at Galgamuwa in Anuradhapura. He is a resident of Horape in Wattala.

SJB skeptical on salary increase of public servants

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) expressed doubts on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s assurance that salaries of public servants will be increased through next month’s budget.

Diana Gamage's Parliamentary seat upheld in court battle

State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage will keep her Parliamentary seat after the Court of Appeal ruled in its majority decision that there is no merits in the writ petition which sought an order declaring that she is not qualified to be a Member of Parliament.

Long-term contract for purchase of three stocks of crude oil

The government has decided to purchase three shipments of crude oil during the period January 15, 2024 to June 6, 2024.

Cabinet approves electricity tariff revision every three months

The Cabinet today approved the electricity tariff revision every three months.The decision was taken considering the inconveniences the public has to confront.

Cabinet approves decision to hike VAT to 18%

Cabinet approval has been granted to increase Value-Added Tax (VAT) to 18 percent from the current 15 percent with effect from January 1, 2024, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardana said this morning.

Former Senior DIG Ravi granted bail

Former Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne who had been on remand for driving under the influence of liquor and causing damage to two other vehicles was granted bail by Mount Lavinia Additional Magistrate Sanjaya L.M. Wijesinghe today.

Five trains cancelled by 9 a.m; several more to be cancelled

A total of five office trains were cancelled this morning due to railway guards not reporting for duties, the Railway Station Masters’ Union said.

Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama appointed new Chairman of NMRA

Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama has been appointed as the Chairman of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the Health Ministry announced.

Lionel Messi wins Ballon d’Or award for eighth time

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has won the Men’s Ballon d’Or for the eighth time.

Assistance of two women MPs sought for the probe

The committee which was appointed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to probe the recent incident in the Parliament lobby involving State Minister Diana Gamage and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera had decided to seek the assistance of women MPs.

Heavy showers after 2 p.m. today as well

Heavy showers above 75 mm will occur at several places in most provinces of the island after 2 p.m., the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Loop contraceptives to prevent pregnancy in monkeys

The Peradeniya University Veterinary Department and the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital are in the process of introducing an intrauterine device (IUD), also known as ’loop contraceptives’, to prevent pregnancy in monkeys, Peradeniya University Veterinary Clinical Science Department Prof. Ashoka Dangolla said.

Beggar set ablaze near Homagama Hospital

A beggar sleeping on the pavement in front of the Homagama Base Hospital had been burned to death on Monday night (29). A 27-year-old man from Galavilawatta in Homagama was arrested in connection with the incident.

Sri Lanka treads cautiously into 5G Future amid geopolitical concerns over Huawei

Sri Lanka is to take a cautious approach in the introduction of 5G technology to navigate geopolitical rivalry to be triggered by the involvement of China’s Huawei, a minister said.

Seetha’ health condition gradually getting worse

The health of elephant ’Seetha’ has taken a turn for the worse as three metal pieces continue to pose a grave threat in her chest cavity, near her heart and lungs, Peradeniya University Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science Faculty Prof. Ashoka Dangolla said.

Deadlock over appointment of new NMRA Chief

The new health minister has reportedly faced a series of challenges in appointing a new chairman to the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), the Daily Mirror learns.

Travel ban on two govt officials in substandard immunoglobulin importation case

The owner of the company, which stands accused of importing 22,500 substandard immunoglobulin vials, and two top government employees who approved the importation have been imposed a foreign travel ban by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Fresh blow to hotel sector as electricity tariffs rise again

The local hotel sector is facing another jolt with Sri Lanka announcing another electricity tariff increase, which came into effect on October 21.

Transparency gaps in budget implementation soar

The lack of transparency in the implementation of budget proposals has increased sharply in 2022 and 2023, a systematic evaluation by Verité Research revealed.

World Bank dispatches top executives to support climate-smart agriculture in Sri Lanka

The World Bank has swiftly responded to Sri Lanka’s request for assistance in promoting climate-smart agriculture in the country’s dry zone by dispatching its top executives for a field visit.

Facebook scam of alleged fundraising targeting teachers unveiled

The Education Ministry thwarted a racket in which a group of people were allegedly collecting money through Facebook, claiming that it was for petitions filed before the court on the shortage of teachers.

Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka to boost World Cup semi-final bid

Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Pune on Monday to record their third win of the World Cup and maintain their hopes of a semi-final place.

Child malnutrition, no reliable data: Special select committee

Whilst highlighting that there is no reliable data on child malnutrition in Sri Lanka, the special select committee on child malnutrition in Sri Lanka had advised the relevant institutions to provide correct data.

SL electricity tariff equals Singapore; tariff increased to maintain diesel mafia: Gammanpila

The Sri Lankan government has equalled Singapore in terms of electricity tariff increases, and the electricity tariff was increased to maintain the diesel mafia, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Udaya Gammanpila said.

Duplication road cleared for traffic

Duplication Road Colombo 3 was cleared for traffic a shortwhile ago, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said.

Two SriLankan flights diverted due to bad weather

Two SriLankan Airlines flights have been diverted to Trivandrum Airport in India due to bad weather conditions in Katunayake and Mattala.

Tree branch falls on three vehicles on Duplication Road

A branch of a tree fell on a van, a car and a three-wheeler opposite the Trade Ministry on R.A. De Mel Mawatha (Duplication Road), Colombo a short while ago.

President assures pay hike for public servants

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured a pay hike to all public servants from the budget 2023.