Rs. 52 mn fined for those caught with fake security stickers: Minister

A fine of Rs. 52 million has been imposed on those who were caught with bottles of liquor with fake security stickers, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

MPs whose houses were burnt given liquor licenses, alleges SJB MP

While Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chaminda Wijesiri alleged that liquor licenses have been given to those MPs whose houses had been burnt during the mob attacks last year to silence them, State Minister Shantha Bandara denounced the allegation.

Asad Maulana is a con man: Chandrakanthan

MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan yesterday said his onetime secretary Asad Maulana whom channel 4 has introduced as a whistle-blower in its latest video on the Easter Sunday attack is a con man who betrays others for his survival.

Historic moment for Sri Lanka with series triumph over England

Having recorded their first-ever T20I win over England Women last week, Sri Lanka Women doubled up to record a historic series victory over the Englishwomen in Derby on Wednesday.

Did Gota order to kill Lasantha?

UK’s controversial documentary maker Channel 4 Dispatches film circulating on the Easter bombings of Sri Lanka has surfaced with fresh allegations into the assassination of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, as it was allegedly performed on the direction of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Govt calls for constrained response

The government views the latest Channel 4 film as a work of drama ahead of the session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and therefore advocates a constrained response to the allegations raised in it regarding the Easter Sunday attack, Daily Mirror learns.

SLTB to refurbish, reassign 15 double-decker buses for tourism

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will refurbish and reassign 15 double-decker buses for use in tourism, Transport Minister Bandula Guanawardane said.

Plans to stop children, women being used for begging: Geetha Kumarasinghe

Claiming that there are reports of children and women being mostly used for begging, State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe said steps will be taken to curb this practice.

Four Ring-tailed lemurs, and 3 Emu’s arrive in SL

Sri Lanka received four Ring-tailed lemurs and three Emu’s last night from the Czech Republic, National Zoological Gardens’ Director-General Tilak Premakantha said.

Govt. manages to successfully control spread of dengue: Dr. Seetha Arambepola

The government has been able to successfully control the spread of dengue where the number of high-risk areas has been reduced to 13 from 67, State Minister of Health Dr. Seetha Arambepola said today.

Pilgrims’ rest occupied by businessman

Pilgrims from distant areas to the Sri Dalada Maligawa expressed their concerns on pilgrims’ rest in the old Jathika Pola ground in Kandy in front of the Diyawadana Nilame’s official residence, being occupied by a businessman.

Drunk State Minister shoots in the air

A State Minister from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) had reportedly fired in the air with his official pistol in the balcony of the Madiwela MP’s official residence, police sources said.

Accountability central to Sri Lanka’s way forward: UN HR chief says

Sri Lanka suffers from a continuing accountability deficit - be it for war crime atrocities, more recent human rights violations, corruption, or abuse of power - which must be addressed for the country to move forward, according to a UN Human Rights Office report published on Wednesday.

’I am the one who told Rajapaksas were involved in Easter Sunday attacks’: Mervyn

In the wake of the video released by Channel 4 on the revelations about the Easter Sunday attacks where it speaks about the involvement of the Rajapaksas, former Minister Mervyn Silva said he was the first to reveal this fact.

Cardinal calls for international probe into Channel 4 disclosures

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called for an independent international probe into the Channel 4 video on the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019.

Sachithra Senanayake remanded till September 15

Former Sri Lanka national cricketer Sachithra Senanayake who was arrested over allegations of match-fixing was today ordered to be remanded till September 15 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Remove Suresh Sallay as SIS Director immediately: NPP

The National People’s Power (NPP) today urged the government to immediately remove Director of the State Intelligence Service, Suresh Sallay and conduct an impartial inquiry against him and Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan over the allegations over the Easter Sunday attacks.

Chinese enterprises keen on investing in Sri Lanka: Dilum

Chinese enterprises from various industries have expressed their keen interest on investing in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Investment Promotion Dilum Amunugama said.

Medical negligence behind amputation of girl’s hand at Jaffna Hospital?

The Health Ministry has decided to launch an investigation into the tragic incident where a young girl’s hand had been amputated at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital on Monday (4) after she was admitted with a fever.

Channel 4 has historical rivalry with Rajapaksas: Namal

Claiming that Channel 4 has a historical rivalry with the Rajapaksas after finishing the war in 2009, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa today questioned why the video on the Easter Sunday attacks released by Channel 4 was deleted from their website if there was any credibility when producing it.

Ruwan holds talks with Commonwealth Secy. General in Kenya

President’s senior advisor on climate change, Ruwan Wijewardene, accompanied by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Kenya Kana Kananathan, held a highly productive meeting today with Secretary General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland KC.

Chinese president not attending G-20 summit in India, only Premier Li Qiang will attend

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the G-20 summit in India later this week instead of President Xi Jinping, it was confirmed on Monday as reported by the foreign media.

UK to declare Russia’s Wagner a terrorist organisation

Wagner, the Russian mercenary group, is set to be proscribed as a terrorist group by the UK government - meaning it will be illegal to be a member or support the organisation.

Sachithra Senananyake arrested over match-fixing

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been taken into custody on charges of match-fixing after he surrendered to the Special Investigation Unit of the Sports Ministry.

SL vets in Thailand not to treat Muthurajah: Zoo DG

Two veterinarians and the chief curator left for Thailand on Monday (4) for a discussion about the ongoing treatments for tusker ‘Muthurajah’, but not to assist in the ongoing treatments, National Zoological Gardens’ Director-General Tilak Premakantha said.

You will find many surprises in the budget: President

There will be surprises in the 2024 budget, including a proposal to tax primary bond dealers, President Ranil Wickremesighe told Parliament.

Corruption case against Fowzie re-fixed for pre-trial conference

A corruption case filed against parliamentarian A.H.M. Fowzie was today re-fixed for pre-trial conference to be held on November 7 by the Colombo High Court.

Debate on no-confidence motion against Keheliya begins

The debate on the no-confidence motion on Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella commenced in Parliament a short while ago.

Jonathan Trott admits to lack of communication over NRR calculations following loss against SL

Afghanistan faced a heartbreaking exit from the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 as they lost their must-win game against Sri Lanka. However, the side did put their heart and soul into bringing themselves within touching distance of a win.

Local rice production exempt from social security tax

Local rice production and equipment used by those with special needs have been exempted from the social security tax, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.