2023 second school term ends on Friday

The second school term of government-approved Sinhala and Tamil-medium schools for the year 2023 will end on Friday (27), the Education Ministry said.

Court resumes trial against former Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith

The Colombo High Court resumed recording evidence from the prosecution witnesses in a corruption case filed against two accused, including former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon.

’Namal, Sagara behaved like kittens under GR, but bark like dogs now’, slams Lanza

Government MP Nimal Lanza who is now close to President Ranil Wickremesinghe said SLPP General Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam and MP Namal Rajapaksa remained mute like kittens under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa presidency but are barking like dogs now.

Indian Coast Guard arrests eight SL fishermen

A group of eight Sri Lankan fishermen from the Kalpitiya and Kandakuliya areas have been arrested by the Indian authorities for trespassing into Indian sea limits.

US congratulates Sri Lanka on IMF deal, urges fair treatment for all creditors

The United States has stressed the equal and equitable treatment of all creditors in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring efforts while congratulating the island nation on securing a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Sri Lanka to resume ETCA talks with India

Sri Lanka is set to enter its 12th round of negotiations on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

China’s youngest-ever astronauts blast off to space station

China launched its youngest-ever crew for its orbiting space station on Thursday as it seeks to put astronauts on the moon before 2030, ABC News reported.

Former Army Commander L.P Balagalla passes away

Former Army Commander General (Rtd) L.P Balagalla passed away while being treated at the Colombo Army Hospital Narahenpita for a brief illness.

Sri Lanka, England set for high-stakes clash

Sri Lanka is leaning towards a three-seamer-one spinner strategy as they look to employ an extra batter against England in their crucial World Cup match at the Chinnasuwamy Cricket Stadium in Bengaluru today.

Light show at World Cup 'dumbest idea', says Maxwell

Australia’s record-breaking batsman Glenn Maxwell blasted mid-match, nightclub-style light shows at the World Cup as ’’the dumbest idea’’ on Wednesday, claiming they cause ’’shocking headaches’’.

Fees for NIC related services upped

The government issued a gazette notice yesterday announcing new fee structure for national identity card (NIC) and related services.

Think tank calls for urgent policy action to tackle brain drain

As Sri Lanka continues to deal with the outflux of its talent pool, largely owing to the prevailing economic conditions, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) stressed the need to look at designing an appropriate mix of policies to address labour and skill shortages at the earliest.

Maine mass shooting: At least 16 dead, suspect at large

At least 16 people were killed in a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday evening, ABC News reported.

President reveals plans to merge plantation and agriculture sectors

Sri Lanka plans to amalgamate the country’s plantation industry and agriculture sector as part of its effort to modernise the country’s agricultural landscape.

Sea bottom research off limits for Shi Yang 6

The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) which awaits collaborative research with the Chinese vessel ‘Shi Yang 6’ subject to approval by the Foreign Ministry said it had agreed for air-sea interaction survey with a focus on the water column of the Indian Ocean but not on the sea bottom given security sensitivity involved, a scientist said.

UK-SL making progress on mutual driving licence exchange agreement: UK Minister

In an effort to facilitate mutual driving licence exchanges, the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka are currently engaged in negotiations to establish an agreement, the UK Parliament was told.

Milco chairman held hostage , 13 employees arrested

Thirteen employees of Milco were arrested by the Kollupitiya for allegedly holding its chairman, Renuka Perera and several others as hostage at the main office yesterday, the police said.

Japan to provide JPY 200mn grant to boost North-East fisheries infrastructure

The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a resolution to accept a JPY 200 million grant from the Government of Japan to promote the growth of the Sri Lankan fisheries industry.

Include safety measures for LPG use in A/L syllabus

The chairman of LITRO Gas Lanka, Muditha Peiris, yesterday requested Education Minister Susil Premajayantha to include the safety measures associated with using liquid petroleum gas (LPG) in the Advanced Level (A/L) syllabus.

Drug addicts responsible for half of child rape cases: Geetha

Half of child rape cases reported in the country have been committed by various drug users, Women and Child Affairs State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe said.

SL educational qualifications to be mutually recognized in Italy: Minister

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha has decided to prepare a system in which educational qualifications in Italy and Sri Lanka are mutually recognized in both countries.

Foreigner fined for traffic offence

A tourist, W. Douro Euan Edward, was fined Rs. 35,000 by Galle Addl. Magistrate Lakmini Vidanagamage after being found guilty of riding a motorcycle without a driving licence valid in Sri Lanka, without the motorcycle’s revenue licence, and without wearing a helmet.

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2023/24 to commence on December 26

Sri Pada pilgrim season 2023/24 is scheduled to commence on December 26, with the dawn of the Unduvap Full Moon Poya and end on the Wesak Full Moon Poya in May 2024.

Govt. steadfast in introducing new laws to bring about system change: Manusha

The government is steadfast in introducing new laws while replacing the past to bring about the system changes that people expect, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Sri Lanka’s inaugural women-led plastic recyclable collection network launched

The United States, through the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Ocean Plastics Reduction Activity and ‘Gunadamin’ of Elephant House of Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS) have collaborated to establish Sri Lanka’s inaugural plastic recyclable collection network and material recovery facility, led by women, emphasizing the separation and processing of recyclable materials.

GMOA warns of mass trade union action

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a series of trade union actions in protest of the government’s failure to take feasible measures to retain medical officers who are expecting to go abroad.

President should have better understanding of coalition politics: Namal

The President should have a better understanding of coalition politics, MP Namal Rajapaksa said, adding that problems cannot be solved through Cabinet reshuffles.

Assault on Diana Gamage: Committee scrutinizes CCTV footages

The five-member committee appointed to probe the alleged assault on State Minister Diana Gamage at the Parliament lobby, scrutinized the CCTV footage regarding the incident today and decided to summon relevant parties on November 6.

Sri Lanka eye more gold medals in Asian Para Games

Sri Lanka will target medals as Paralympics Gold Medalist Dinesh Priyantha Herath competes in the Men’s javelin throw events, which are scheduled for today.

SL Railways to get new GM

The Transport and Highways Ministry has appointed Sri Lanka Railways Additional General Manager H.M.K.W. Bandara as the General Manager, with effect from November 3.