Sri Lanka, Kenya seek enhanced bilateral ties

Sri Lankan envoy in Nairobi Kana Kananathan and Kenyan Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi met and agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Former SLTB officer arrested for bribery in arranging conductor’s job

A former Sports Monitoring Officer of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption officers on charges of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 80,000.

Sri Lanka’s only Games gold medallist gets congrats and cash

Teenager Tharushi Karunarathna, Sri Lanka’s only gold medallist so far at the Hangzhou Asian Games, received a congratulatory telephone call from the country’s president and cash from the cricket board.

Russian strike kills at least 48 in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian officials said Thursday a Russian attack on a village in the northeast of the country killed 48 people and injured at least six more.

Luxury vehicle runs over policeman

An SUV vehicle ran over a police traffic officer who was on duty at the Independence Avenue roundabout this evening, police said.

Cardinal, Bishops Conference hold same view on Easter Sunday attacks

The Sri Lanka Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith hold the same view on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks and call for a local probe into it with the involvement of foreign observers.

MCC punishes members involved in spat with Australia cricketers at Lord’s

Marylebone Cricket Club has expelled one member and suspended two others following an ugly altercation with Australia players during the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s.

Hemas Holdings announces resignation of Group CEO, Kasturi Chellaraja

Hemas Holdings, a leading conglomerate, today announced the resignation of Kasturi Chellaraja, the Group CEO, effective March 30, 2024.

New regulatory body for CPC in the offing: Kanchana

Discussions are underway to set up a regulatory body for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which will function as a price regulator, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Britain says Russia may target civilian shipping with mines

Russia may use sea mines to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including by laying them on the approach to Ukrainian ports, the British government said on Wednesday citing intelligence.

Train strike called off

The ongoing railway strike launched by the Railway underguards has been called off following a discussion with State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna.

Appropriation Bill 2024 presented to Parliament

The Appropriation Bill for 2024 was presented to Parliament today.

Diana accuses Madduma Bandara of verbal abuse

State Minister Diana Gamage today accused SJB MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara of abusing her verbally.

Several more countries request Toque monkeys from SL: Amaraweera

Several more countries apart from China have requested Sri Lanka to provide Toque macaque monkeys for their zoological gardens, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Schoolboy dies after being hit by ceiling fan in classroom

A 14-year-old boy studying at the Pussellawa Hindu National School died after being hit by a ceiling fan in the classroom yesterday.

Alarming rise in heroin addiction among school children

In a shocking revelation, health authorities reported a significant surge in the use of heroin among school children, particularly those aged between 15 and 18.

CBSL further reduces policy interest rates

The first monetary policy review by the Monetary Policy Board under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act, No. 16 of 2023 (CBA) was held yesterday and the Board decided to reduce the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank by 100 basis points (bps) to 10.00 per cent and 11.00 per cent, respectively.

Danushka to file case to recover legal fees

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka who was acquitted of rape charges by an Australian Court last week, yesterday said he respected everyone’s freedom of expression, in relation to those who accused and passed judgement on him on social media.

’Ima’ arrested for involvement in drug and shooting incidents

A 27-year-old woman, identified as ’’Ima’’ from Wattala, has been arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) while in the possession of Ice drugs. Police have also uncovered her connection to the recent shootings in the Negombo and Sandunumala areas.

Will turbulence in SriLankan Airlines hamper restructuring process ?

Despite concerns being raised in some quarters whether the current problems in SriLankan Airlines will hamper its restructuring process, a top official said yesterday the global aviation community is well aware of the current challenges confronting the national carrier, and therefore it won’t be a surprise for any potential investor coming forward to invest in it.

Elephant Sita shot with live cartridges

Scan tests of the domesticated elephant Sita which had been shot at on the banks of the Mahaweli River by a Civil Security Department Officer have revealed that it had been shot with live cartridges causing it seven injuries.

Only 12 out of 225 MPs have published their assets and liabilities

Only 12 out of the 225 members of Parliament have published their assets and liabilities to date, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Death on the elephant corridor

Sri Lanka, a country that reveres elephants, is now thinking hard to combat the conflict humans have with these animals with the unprecedented number of shocking deaths of jumbos over the past few days raising eyebrows here and abroad.

Sri Lanka aims to streamline tax structure, boost collections

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka will focus on improving tax collection to reduce budget deficits as it streamlines the structure of the tax system, the Treasury secretary said yesterday, with new legislation planned to improve public finances.

Govt. considers acquiring private thermal power plants to replace aging CEB facilities

The government is exploring the possibility of acquiring some of the privately-owned thermal power plants, as it looks to decommission several of the old thermal power plants owned and operated by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Namal’s electricity bill paid in fear of FR case to be taken up next month: Hewage

The controversial Rs. 2.6 million electricity bill of MP Namal Rajapaksa was paid in haste as the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed against the default of the bill is scheduled to be taken up before the Supreme Court on the 6th of next month, former JVP Provincial Councillor Nalin Hewage said.

Striking railway workers to lose jobs

The government has decided to consider the railway workers who are on strike as having vacated their posts as per the gazette notification issued on September 12.

Europe, Africa and South America to host games in 2030 World Cup: FIFA

Morocco, Portugal and Spain will be joint hosts for the 2030 World Cup but games will also be played in Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay as the footballing showpiece celebrates its centenary, FIFA announced on Wednesday

Weak bowling unit a concern for Sri Lanka - Vaas

As Sri Lanka prepares for their opening fixture at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on Saturday, legendary seamer Chaminda Vaas says the team’s most pressing area of concern is their bowling unit.

Landslide warning on seven districts including Colombo

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) today issued early warnings of possible landslides in seven districts including Colombo, the Meteorology Department said.