Finance Ministry to remove import restrictions except on vehicles from Oct .1

The Finance Ministry has taken measures to remove the import restrictions on all currently restricted items, except on private vehicles, from October 1, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.

Food security threat looms as 61,682 acres of rice fields destroyed

As many as 62,141 acres of cultivated lands, mostly rice, have been destroyed mainly due to the dry spell and heavy rains that followed triggering concerns about food security in case the upcoming Maha season fails, an official said.

A 12-hour water cut in Colombo

Water supply will be interrupted for twelve hours from today at 6.00 p.m. in Colombo due to repairs to the Ambatale water distribution line, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Keep intelligence matters private or risk security, international ridicule: Vajira

Emphasizing the need for discretion in intelligence matters, Government MP Vajira Abeywardane stressed that achievements or failures of the intelligence authorities should not be debated in public no matter what.

Take immediate steps to prevent Nipah virus entering country: Amaraweera advises DAPH

In order to prevent the deadly Nipah virus disease from entering Sri Lanka, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today advised the Animal Production and Health Department (DAPH) Director General Dr. Hemali Kotalawala to start appropriate disease surveillance activities immediately.

My son studying in the US assists me voluntarily: Ali Sabry

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, in his response to the public outcry on his son’s presence at UN events with him, said, “Having seen the concerns raised on social media, on the presence of my son at a couple of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA, I would like to place the following facts.

AKD asks Pilleyan if he is still paid by intelligence services

Claiming that the group led by Parliamentarian Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan has been paid Rs.3.5 million per month by the intelligence services, NPP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned whether the group is still being paid that amount.

Harin flown abroad for urgent medical treatment

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando has been flown abroad for urgent medical treatment following doctor’s advice.

Port City to be launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Sep. 26

Port City Colombo (PCC) would be launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on September 26, Investment Promotion Minister Dilum Amunugama told Parliament this week.

National Information Technology and Business Process Management Week to kick off in October

Sri Lanka’s information technology (IT) sector will come under fresh spotlight, with the National IT and BPM Week set to be held from October 11 to 13, at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Hall, Colombo.

Japan donates MRI machine to National Hospital

The Japanese embassy in Sri Lanka handed over a MRI machine to the National Hospital in Sri Lanka (NHSL), a statement from the embassy said.

Stability should not come at the sacrifice of values of freedom of expression: U.S. Ambassador

U. S. Ambassador Julie Chung said stability should not come at the sacrifice of the values of freedom of expression, whether through peaceful protest, expression through the arts, or through social media.

Port and Aviation Levy on milk powder imports up by 10% from tonight

The Finance Ministry has taken a decision to increase the Port and Aviation Levy (PAL) on imported milk powder by 10 percent per kilogram from tonight, Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said.

IndiGo launches direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo

IndiGo has announced the introduction of new direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo from November 2, 2023.

Should SLC come under government purview?

The National Audit Office’s final report into Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and its expenses related to the travel of players and officials to last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, has reignited the debate on if SLC should come under government oversight.

Maithripala prefers local probe to international probe on Easter attacks

Highlighting a foreign probe into the Channel 4 allegations on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, former President Maithripala Sirisena called for technical assistance from the UN for a local probe into the incidents.

SLC believes national team heading ’’in the right direction’’

Despite last Sunday’s crushing defeat to India in the final of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) believes the national team is heading ’’in the right direction’’.

UNP Chairman blames social media for distorting his remarks, apologizes to officials

UNP Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to officials of the Ministry of Finance including the Secretary to the Treasury by what he called ‘the distortion of his statements made before the Parliamentary Select Committee’ by various social media platforms.

Prize money for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 revealed

An overall USD 10 million pot has been announced for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

Fixtures announced for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024

The fixtures for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 have been revealed, with the tournament set to take place in Sri Lanka from 13 January to 4 February.

Court orders CID to investigate into three employees who defrauded Rs.20Mn

The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court issued an order directing the CID to immediately conduct an investigation into three suspects including Samagi Jana Balawegaya Jaffna Valikaman South West Pradeshiya Sabha candidate and his wife for allegedly defrauding a sum of Rs. 20 million belonging to a resident company through cheque transactions.

Video of Cargills staff brutally assaulting female goes viral

A video showing a group of staff members from a Cargills supermarket outlet brutally assaulting a female customer is circulating on social media.

Sri Lankan fishing boat seized near Kodiyakkarai, India

The Vedaranyam Marine Police of the Coastal Security Group in India on Friday, September 22 seized a Sri Lankan fiberglass fishing boat that was found capsized a few metres away from the Kodiyakkarai coast in Nagapattinam district, the Hindu reported.

Police hunt for man who committed serious sexual abuse on his daughter

The Mawathagama Police have released a photograph of a suspect allegedly involved in a severe case of sexual abuse on his 9-year-old daughter, and they are seeking public assistance in locating him.

Ali Sabry’s Photo with son at UN fuels nepotism outcry

A picture of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry with his son at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly has sparked criticism with people questioning as to why such privileges are offered to the relatives of politicians.

Thileepan commemoration in 2020: Indictments served on Sivajilingam

The Colombo High Court today served indictments on former Jaffna District Parliamentarian M.K. Sivajilingam for committing offenses while commemorating the 33rd death anniversary of former LTTE member Rasaiah Parthipan alias ’Thileepan’ in 2020.

Price of chicken to reduce to Rs. 850 per kg by year-end

People will be able to buy a kilo of chicken from the local market for between Rs. 850 to Rs. 900 by the end of this year if the price is reduced by another Rs. 150 by November or December, Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said

Two liquor manufacturing companies in default of Rs 1.5 billion

Two companies engaged in liquor production owe a total of Rs 1.5 billion as taxes, the Ways and Means Committee revealed.

Sri Lanka Women progress to semi-finals of Asian Games cricket

Inoshi Priyadharshani took 4 for 10 to set Sri Lanka Women up for an easy eight-wicket win over Thailand Women in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games women’s cricket competition.

Motion approved to remove MP Ali Sabri Raheem from Parliamentary Committees

A motion to remove MP Ali Sabri Raheem from all Parliamentary Committees was approved by the House a short while ago.