Maldives, Sri Lanka to convene fourth session of joint commission

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the governments of Maldives and Sri Lanka will be convening the Fourth Session of the Joint Commission from June 6 – 7.

Fixed range for fuel price as Sinopec enters

The government will introduce a floor and ceiling price for fuel with the launch of business operations by Sinopec, a leading international petroleum company, in the country shortly, a top source said.

Govt. to bring in stringent regulations on food ads

The Government is in the process of adding final touches to a new set of regulations in relation to food advertisements, where approval of the Director General of Health Services has been made mandatory before publishing selected food advertisements.

French gold smuggler remanded after failing to pay fine of Rs.70Mn

A French national who was apprehended by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Saturday for attempting to smuggle in gold worth over Rs.85 million was ordered to be remanded by the Negombo Magistrate as the former had failed to pay a staggering fine of Rs.70 million imposed by the Customs.

Swedish consulate in Colombo unaware of sex championship

The Swedish Consulate General in Colombo said they were unaware of the news published in international media regarding the registration of sex as a sport in Sweden.

India’s First International Cruise Flagged Off from Chennai to Sri Lanka

Union minister for ports, shipping, and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India’s first international cruise headed for Sri Lanka from the Chennai Port on Monday as part of a series of initiatives set off by the Centre to jump-start cruise tourism across the country.

CEA to raid stockists of single-use plastic products from tomorrow

The Central Environment Authority (CEA) will conduct raids from tomorrow on shops and sellers involved in selling and stocking single-use plastic products, which are banned from use, CEA Chairman Supun S. Pathirage said.

Return to ODI cricket must be causing Rashid Khan mental fatigue, Afghan commentator says

Even if Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan is passed fit to play the third ODI against Sri Lanka tomorrow, he will still be suffering from mental fatigue, cricket commentator Najeebullah Shinwari claims.

Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri Jayathilaka appointed HC judge

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed four new judges of the High Court, including Assistant Secretary General of Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilaka.

Broadcasting Regulatory Commission; a move to tame media institutions: NPP

The proposed new Broadcasting Regulatory Commission is a move to tame the media institutions, former JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Increase in skin diseases among children; don’t fear to bathe them: Pediatrician

Due to the increase in heat during the day and night, there is an increase in the spread of skin diseases such as sweat blisters and eczema among children, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Sri Lanka win gold in 4x400m Mixed Relay at Asian Junior Athletics Championships

Sri Lanka claimed a second gold on the second day of the 20th Asian Junior Athletics Championships in South Korea, winning the 4x400m Mixed Relay event.

Gold for Sri Lanka at Asian Junior Athletics C’ships, Tharushi Dissanayake wins girls’ 800m

Sri Lanka’s won its first gold at the 20th Asian Junior Athletics Championships in Yecheon South Korea, with Tharushi Dissanayaka winning gold in the girls’ 800m in 2 minutes and 05.634 seconds.

Chinese engineer falls to death from a building in Union Place

A Chinese national died after falling from the top floor of a housing complex under construction at Union Place in Slave Island.

Several opposition parties decide to oppose proposed Broadcasting Authority Bill

Several political parties including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the group led by MP G.L. Peiris today decided to oppose the proposed new Broadcasting Authority Bill.

Unruly air passenger incidents on the rise: IATA

A new analysis by International Air Transport Association (IATA) released this week showed that post-pandemic, unruly passenger incidents are on the rise.

Pastor Jerome’s FR petition to be heard on July 28

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando seeking an order preventing police from arresting him in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon was today fixed for July 28 by Supreme Court.

President again calls for SJB support: But we want a general election first: Tissa

While revealing that President Ranil Wickremesinghe had called Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to join the government collectively, SJB National Organizer Tissa Attanayake said his party had told the President to hold a general election first.

Modern drone technology can be used to develop agriculture sector: Susil

The use of modern drone technology can be used for the development of the agriculture sector in the country, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic retires: Swedish great ends football career at 41

AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has retired from football at the age of 41, bringing to an end one of the modern era’s most glittering careers.

Shooting in Meegoda leaves one injured

A 62-year-old man was wounded after two unidentified armed men on a motorcycle shot at him at the Batagoda area in Meegoda this morning, Police said.

Afghanistan Fined 20% Match Fee for Slow Over-Rate in First ODI vs Sri Lanka

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has fined Afghanistan 20 percent of their match fee for failing to maintain an acceptable over-rate during their first ODI against Sri Lanka in Hambantota.

Oil prices jump after Saudi Arabia vows to cut production again

Oil prices rose after Saudi Arabia said it would slash oil output by another 1 million barrels per day for at least a month starting in July as part of an effort by the OPEC+ group of leading producers to shore up crude prices.

Police witch-hunt leaves Palestinian investor languishing in jail

A Palestinian national who had invested in a hotel and restaurant in Hikkaduwa, was arrested and was languishing in the Galle remand prison for 14 days with the police not filing charges apparently due to vested, dubious interests, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka on alert over new virus with cold-like symptoms spreading in US

In the wake of the recent upsurge cases in little-known respiratory virus called HMPV spreading in the US, Sri Lankan Health authorities said they keep a close eye on the new developments of the virus and have gone on alert.

Govt. likely to review 5-year no-pay leave scheme for public employees to work abroad

The government is likely to review the decision granting public sector employees to work abroad for a five-year period, with the best performing employees in the public service leaving the country under the scheme potentially weakening the public service, according to a senior state official.

Private sector credit contraction moderates in sign of bottoming out

The months-long contraction in credit to the private sector somewhat moderated in April in a sign of bottoming out ahead of further easing in the interest rates in the months to come with the beginning of a monetary easing cycle set off last week.

SL records lowest tourism monthly income of US$ 132mn in May

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry recorded an income of US$ 131.5 million for May from 83,309 arrivals, the lowest monthly income thus...

Verstappen extends title lead with masterful Spanish win

Defending double world champion Max Verstappen extended his lead in this year’s title race to 53points today when he completed a hat-trick by driving his Red Bull to a masterful victory in the Spanish Grand Prix.

Sri Lanka win two medals on opening day of Asian Junior Athletics C’ships

Sri Lanka won two medals on the opening day of the 20th Asian Junior Athletics Championships today, with Tharushi Dissanayake and Jayeshi Hewage winning silver and bronze respectively in the girls 400m.