Imran Khan jailed for three years, banned from politics for five years

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been sentenced to three years imprisonment and disqualified from politics for five years.

Water bills through e-billing service from 2024: NWSDB

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) will provide the monthly water bills to consumers only through email and SMS services from January 2024, NWSDB Commercial Deputy General Manager Piyal Pathmanatha said.

Suspect with commercial sticks of explosives nabbed in Trincomalee

Separate operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in Jayanagar with the assistance of the Kuchchaveli Police in the Poduwakattu sea area on July 31 and August led to the apprehension of a suspect in possession of five sticks of commercial explosives, 14 chargers and 17 non-electric detonators.

Entry into forest reservations, climbing, camping on mountains strictly prohibited

Entering wildlife and forest conservation reserves located in the Nuwara Eliya district, climbing the mountains located in those reserves, and camping in those mountains are strictly prohibited, as of yesterday (4), Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Nandana Galabada said.

Pear cultivators complain of low prices

Pear cultivators in Nuwara Eliya and Ragala areas have been left without a remunerative market for their produce, much to their anxiety.

FM’s visit to Iran: Tea for oil solution to be explored

Sri Lanka is intensifying its efforts to enhance diplomatic relations with West Asian nations, with the latest focus on strengthening trade ties with Iran, particularly for revitalizing its tea market as part of these endeavours during Foreign Minister Ali Sabry’s current visit there.

Asian Palm Oil Asso. renews call to SL govt. to reconsider oil palm cultivation ban

The Asian Palm Oil Association (APOA) renewed its call to the Sri Lankan government, urging it to reconsider the temporary ban on oil palm cultivation.

India extends INR 450mn advance to expedite SL Unique Digital Identity Framework

The implementation of the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SL-UDI) Framework will be expedited with India’s support by extending an advance of INR 450 million.

Govt. allocates Rs.429mn to cultivate 11,000 abandoned paddy lands

The government yesterday said 11,000 acres of abandoned paddy lands would be cultivated before the end of this year, in order to prepare for the potential food crisis.

Unpaid Electricity bill: Namal Rajapaksa wants clarification from CEB

MP Namal Rajapaksa has demanded a clarification from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) in relation to an alleged unpaid electricity bill by him being circulated on social media under the letterhead of the CEB.

SJB settles Mihintale Temple electricity Bill

Whilst confirming that the electricity bill of the historical temple at Mihintale was settled with the contribution of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members and donors of the party, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said the government should not harass places of worship.

Flying kites near airports a punishable offence

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited today said flying kites within a radius of five kilometres from any airport was illegal and a punishable offence and requested people to refrain from such acts.

Committee appointed to report on drugs, underworld activities

A committee, headed by Deshabandu Tennakoon, Senior Deputy Inspector General of the Western Province, has been appointed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate into and report on measures that can be implemented to combat narcotic drugs and underworld activities.

SL Rupee depreciates against USD again

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has depreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today compared to the last two days, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Rahul Gandhi to return to parliament as court suspends conviction

The Supreme Court of India has suspended opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a defamation case, enabling him to return to parliament and contest national elections due next year.

Wayamba University gets new Chancellor

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed the founder of the SANASA Movement, Dr. P.A. Kiriwandeniya for the post of Chancellor of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka for a period of 5 years with Immediate Effect, the President’s Media said.

Namal still to pay Rs. 2.6 mn power bill due for his wedding in 2019?

Former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Provincial Council member Nalin Hewage said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) informed him in reply to an RTI filed by him that Parliamentarian Namal Rajapksa has still not paid the electricity bill due for his wedding in 2019.

All party leaders requested to submit their proposals on 13A

All party leaders have been requested to submit their proposals and suggestions regarding the 13th Amendment to the Constitution on or before August 15, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Import restrictions on 300 more items to be lifted: Minister

The import restrictions imposed on 300 more items will be relaxed in September, with the positive economic activity in the country, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Various proposals made to reduce public sector cadre: PM

The government continued to maintain the public service despite suggestions to make a reduction in the cadre of the public sector, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said while speaking at the National Integration Participatory Development Programme, ‘Aluth Gamak- Aluth Ratak’ held at the Moneragala District Secretariat.

No price increase in Litro domestic LP gas: Chairman

Prices of Litro domestic LP gas will not be increased despite the LP gas price increase in the world market, Litro Gas Chairman Muditha Peiris said.

Sri Lanka ditches China in India’s favour

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has finally called for tenders to execute the hybrid power projects in three northern islands of Sri Lanka using a grant of US $ 12 million from India, ditching China from the venture completely, Daily Mirror learns.

Cheap flights between Abu Dhabi and BIA from September

The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) yesterday awarded the Foreign Air Operations Certificate to ’Air Asia Abu Dhabi’ air service to start a scheduled low-cost flight service between Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Abu Dhabi Airport.

Fatal accident kills four in Tambuttegama

Four people were killed and another four injured following an accident in the Tambuttegama police area this morning, Police said.

Suspended JMO conducts two crucial postmortems

Consultant Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), Dr. Ruhul Haq, from the Colombo JMO Office, has conducted two significant postmortems in the past six months despite the suspension that was issued against him by the Sri Lanka Medical Council last December, being still effective until August 20.

Govt. keen on reviving construction industry

The government stressed yesterday its intentions to revive the country’s stalled construction industry by resuming the large infrastructure projects that were halted due to the economic crisis. This crisis resulted in significant price increases due to high input prices and import restrictions.

Officials visiting SL to host show greeted by unmanned counter at BIA

While Sri Lanka has secured the bid to host a prestigious travel awards show in Colombo, the officials visiting Sri Lanka to discuss the event had been greeted by unmanned service counters at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Registrations cannot be waived in ad-hoc manner: Rajitha slams drug imports

Former Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said there are guidelines to be followed when unapproved drugs are being imported.

Colombo Port container handling capacity to be increased: Minister

The Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry is considering increasing the container handling capacity of the Colombo Port, said Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

No govt. funds used for Women MPs' New Zealand visit: Parliament SG

No government funds were used for the study tour of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to New Zealand, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.