BASL complains to Speaker over MPs’ statements affecting independence of judiciary

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) complained to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena claiming that the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary are being affected by the statements made by certain Members of Parliament.

President leaves for Cuba, USA

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left Katunayake Airport early this morning for a visit to Cuba and the USA.

Hold local probe monitored by foreign bodies: Church

Whilst highlighting that two Commitees are to be appointed to probe Channel 4 allegations on Easter Sunday attacks, the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka yesterday called for an independent probe monitored by recognised foreign bodies and individuals.

Train strike claims two lives, injures one

The abrupt trade union action by the railway trade unions on Tuesday night resulted in several unfortunate incidents where two commuters lost their lives and one sustained injuries after falling off the train.

40 train services to operate today despite strike

In light of the current train strike, the Railways Department has made an announcement regarding today’s scheduled train services.

SL remains open for both undersea, overhead lines with 120 km in length

In the establishment of power grid connectivity with India, Sri Lanka remains open for either undersea cables or overhead lines, a top official of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Govt. delays SVAT system abolition to April 2025 due to strong opposition

Amidst strong opposition from exporters and the country’s business chambers, the government has decided to postpone the earlier decision to abolish the Simplified Value-Added Tariff (SVAT) system until April 1, 2025.

Customs seize Rs. 125Mn worth Cocaine parcel at BIA air cargo village

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday detected a parcel containing cocaine worth over Rs.125 million, which had arrived at the air cargo village of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) sent from Brazil.

Sri Lanka must look at embracing sustainable value creation to prevent fallback: Treasury Secretary

In an effort to not fall back to a situation similar to that faced in 2022, when the economic crisis reached its peak, Sri Lanka must look at ways to embrace sustainable value creation by better managing costs and expenditure in government agencies, Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena said.

Medal hope Abeykoon pulls out of Asian Games

South Asia’s fastest man Yupun Abeykoon has informed that he will not participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games as well, Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) President Major General Palitha Fernando said.

India hold off Wellalage-inspired Sri Lanka to qualify for Asia Cup final

India outlasted a plucky seventh-wicket partnership between Dhananjaya de Silva and Dunith Wellalage to beat Sri Lanka by 41 runs and qualify for the final of the Asia Cup on Tuesday.

Railway trade union action to continue tomorrow

The Sri Lanka Railways Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union has just announced that they will be continuing their trade union action tomorrow.

Nearly 600,000 gallons of wine wash down street in Portuguese

Residents in a Portuguese village woke up to an almost biblical scene on Sunday morning. The streets were impassable, replaced by a raging river of close to 600,000 gallons of red wine.

Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala summits the Swiss Matterhorn

Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, who summitted Mount Everest in 2016, has climbed the summit of Matterhorn (4,4478m) located in the Valais Alps in Switzerland recently.

Plans to recruit multi-purpose officers to combat human-elephant conflicts: Pavithra

Plans are afoot to recruit permanent multi-purpose officers to the Department of Wildlife Conservation in a bid to combat human-elephant conflicts, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi said.

SL has completed 19.4% of 2015 UNHRC resolution commitments: Verité Research

Sri Lanka has completed 19.4% of the measures it committed to implement under the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution 30/1 as of end-August 2023, according to the UNHRC Monitor published by Verité Research.

Railway strike cancels 118 trains so far

Due to trade union actions, a total of 118 scheduled train services were cancelled, causing inconvenience to the public, the Sri Lanka Railways Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) said.

Colombo Medical School Alumni Association celebrates 12th anniversary

Colombo Medical School Alumni Association (CoMSAA) has celebrated its 12th anniversary with a Reunion recently at the Hotel Jie Jie, Panadura.

E-motoring system likely by end of this year: Bandula

The government is to launch the proposed e-motoring system by the end of this year after overcoming various issues, Cabinet spokesman and Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Sri Lanka's Wellalage, Asalanka spin out India for 213

Spinners Dunith Wellalage and Charith Asalanka bagged nine wickets between them as Sri Lanka bowled out India for 213 in a Super Four clash of the Asia Cup on Tuesday.

Gazette issued declaring railway services as essential service

President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a gazzate notification declaring railway services as essential service with immediate effect under the Essential Public Service Act, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SJB wants chairmanship of Channel 4 select committee

While highlighting the importance of an impartial probe on the Channel 4 video clip, the main opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said one of their MPs should head the select committee which is expected to be appointed to look into the disclosures made by the British TV channel.

Death toll in Libya floods reaches 3,000

Up to 3,000 people have died and 10,000 are missing in the massive floods that have overwhelmed parts of eastern Libya.

Cabinet approves project to improve water quality of Beira Lake

Cabinet approval was granted for the implementation of a pilot project with several government agencies to improve the water quality of Beira Lake using micro-nano bubble technology, carbon fiber biofilm technology and environmentally friendly enzymes.

Railways to be declared as essential service from midnight today: Bandula

Following the death of the Katubedda Technical college student, Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister, Bandula Gunawardana, said today that he is to request the President to issue a gazette notification declaring the Railway Department as an essential service from midnight today.

SLC obtains interim order against Sports Minister with new constitution

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing the Sports Minister from proceeding with the draft constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Road accidents claim thousands of lives annually in SL: Motorcycle fatalities reach alarming rates

At least 12,000 people die in accidents in Sri Lanka annually, with a quarter of these deaths, which is around 3,000 being attributed to road accidents, Police said.

India to bat first against Sri Lanka in Asia Cup Super 4 match

India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first in their Asia Cup Super 4 match against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

Railways Department must take full responsibility for death of university student: SMs’ Union

The Railways Department must bear the responsibility for the sudden death of the Katubedda Technical College student, Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) president Sumedha Somaratne said.

Eastern Libya authorities say 2,000 dead in flood, thousands missing

Authorities in eastern Libya said at least 2,000 people were killed and thousands more were missing after a massive flood ripped through the city of Derna following a heavy storm and rain.