Convicted Lankan money forger and sex offender denied refugee status, must leave NZ

A Sri Lankan man convicted of sexual assault and counterfeiting currency has been denied refugee status in New Zealand.

Pharmaceutical industry ready to cut drug prices by up to 13%

While renewing calls for an equitable and fair pricing mechanism, Sri Lanka Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI) yesterday said the industry stands ready to reduce prices of pharmaceuticals upto 13 percent in line with the recent rupee appreciation under the condition of flexibility for future price increases in case of deprecation of the currency.

Intelligence cop suspended for failing in duty during Easter Sunday attack

An intelligence police sergeant who was on duty at the Katana Police Station at the time of the Easter attack in April 2019, has been suspended from service for failing to perform his assigned duties.

Four cops among six who attended conference in UK decamp

Four police officers of the Police Sports Division who went to the UK to participate in an international conference and did not report back to work have been considered as having abandoned their service, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Sri Lanka warm up for qualifiers with massive win

Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis hit centuries as Sri Lanka warmed up for their Cricket World Cup Qualifier campaign-opener on Monday with a massive 198-run win over the United States of America in their warmup match in Bulawayo today.

British actors to play Australian umpires role in Murali’s 800 biopic

The two British actors-Bill Hurst and Paul Costa- are playing the roles of Darrell Hair and Ross Emerson, according to MS Sripathy, the writer and director of Murali 800 biopic.

Prez to appoint committee to find out historical extent of land owned by Kurundi, Thiriyaya Viharas

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is to appoint a committee to determine whether Kurundi Vihara of Mullathivu and Thiriyaya Vihara of Trincomalee historically owned 2,000 and 3,000 acres of land respectively, sources close to President’s office said.

Gammanpila to ask UNESCO for help

MP Udaya Gammanpila said that he intends to write to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to help safeguard Sri Lanka’s national heritage from its own government.

Two FR petitions against divestment of shares in SLT dismissed

Two Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order restraining the Treasury Secretary from taking any steps to divest the shares held by him in Sri Lanka Telecom PLC, were today dismissed by the Supreme Court.

To keep dengue at bay, clean 200 to 300 metre radius around houses

It is essential to clean the radius of 200 to 300 metres of each residence to prevent the breeding of Dengue mosquitoes, says Deputy Director General of Medical Services Dr. Wijesuriya.

Boris Johnson deliberately misled Parliament over Covid ’partygate,’ inquiry finds

A British parliamentary committee has accused former Prime Minister Boris Johnson of repeated contempt of Parliament for deliberately misleading MPs about violations of COVID-19 restrictions by him and his staff.

Economy contracts 11.5% in 1Q

Sri Lanka’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is estimated to have contracted 11.5 percent in the first quarter of 2023 from a year ago, the Department of Census and Statistics said, today.

Asia Cup from Aug. 31 to Sep. 17, nine matches including final in Sri Lanka

The Asian Cricket Council confirmed that Sri Lanka will host nine matches of the upcoming Asia Cup, including the final, after the hybrid-model proposed by Pakistan was approved.

Pastor Jerome Fernando under probe for Money Laundering

The Attorney General today informed the Court of Appeal that the CID is conducting investigations against Pastor Jerome Fernando under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act apart from the charges levelled under ICCPR Act and Penal Code.

Alleged threat on elevator operator: Case against Ex-IGP fixed for trial

The case filed against former IGP Pujith Jayasundara for allegedly committing an offence of criminal intimidation against the elevator operator at the Police Headquarters in 2017, has been fixed for further trial by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Soldier arrested for threatening to release schoolgirl’s nude photos

A soldier was arrested by the Katugastota police for threatening a 17-year-old schoolgirl that her nude photos will be released on social media, Police said.

Nearly 4 mn in acute food insecurity in Sri Lanka

At least 3.9 million people or 17 per cent of the population in Sri Lanka is in moderate acute food insecurity, according to a latest report issued by the FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission.

Scientists create synthetic human embryos from stem cells, without an egg or sperm

A team of researchers in the United States and the United Kingdom say they have created the world’s first synthetic human embryo-like structures from stem cells, bypassing the need for eggs and sperm.

SL Rupee depreciates further against USD

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

President questions necessity of O/L, Year Five Scholarship exams

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a decision regarding the necessity of the GCE Ordinary Level Examination and the Year Five Scholarship examination, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Grade 5 scholarship exam on October 15: Exam. Dept.

The Examination Department today announced the date for the 2023 Grade Five Scholarship Examination.

Variable tariff scheme for new power purchasing agreements: Kanchana

The Power and Energy Ministry has introduced a 20-year variable feeding tariff scheme from June 13 for new renewable energy developments up to 10 MW.

Russia’s Rosatom to build nuclear plant in SL

Sri Lanka has reached a deal with Russian nuclear giant Rosatom to build a nuclear power plant that may run two reactors and generate 300 megawatts of energy, the Sri Lankan ambassador in Russia said Wednesday.

Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes northern Philippines

An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the Philippines’ main island on Thursday, authorities said, halting some railway operations in the capital Manila.

Wealthy Lifestyle Unveiled: Millionaire young woman’s fortune linked to Sex Work

A 24-year-old woman has confessed to amassing over Rs.100 million in wealth, including property and luxury motor vehicles through earnings from sex work.

SLPP raises concerns with RW - ’’Do not interfere in SLPP affairs’’

The Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna (SLPP) has raised concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over a meeting convened with SLPP district leaders on Monday saying that the party leaders were not informed of such a move and if the President intends to call for such meetings, then the party has to be consulted first.

At least 79 people drown after migrant boat sinks off Greek coast

At least 79 people died after a migrant boat carrying hundreds of people sank off the Greek coast in the early hours of Wednesday, that country’s Coast Guard said, as fears mount that there could be more fatalities.

As It Happened: Lanka Premier League Player Auction

Jaffna Kings made the two biggest purchases of the auction, spending USD 92,000 on left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka after having successfully bid for batsman Charith Asalanka for a sum of USD 80,000.

Some groups trying to grab power through sabotage: Ruwan

There are groups including those from the opposition to grab power as the country had reached some stability, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Customs and CTC to destroy largest fag haul in SL history today

Sri Lanka Customs along with the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) will destroy the largest haul of illicit cigarettes detected in the country’s history, which is over 200 million sticks came in 21 containers in 2021 with an estimated value of Rs.9.7 billion, in Muthurajawela today.