Lack of funding for A’pura Poson programme: Govt. refutes allegations

The government refutes allegations by various parties about a lack of funding for the Anuradhapura Poson programme, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

CID arrests Bruno Divakara over Nathasha Edirisooriya’s remarks

Bruno Divakara, who claims to be the owner of SLVLOG, has been arrested for aiding and abetting Nathasha Edirisooriya, who has been remanded for making comments disrespectful to Buddhism.

Negombo Divisional Secretary found hanged at official residence

The Divisional Secretary of Negombo was found hanged at his official residence, Police said.

I’m happy to entertain: MS

Former President Maithripala Sirisena commenting on the video that went viral on social media in which he was singing, said he was enjoying a lighter moment at the wedding of his relative.

Fine on overstaying foreigners to be revised

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security has granted approval to revise the fine of US$500 in addition to the visa fees to foreigners who have overstayed their period of valid visas.

Bureaucrats resisting govt.’s anti-corruption digitization efforts in railway- Minister

Transport, Highways, and Media Minister Bandula Gunawardane raised concerns on the resistance from bureaucrats towards the government’s digitization process, which serves as a crucial tool in combating corruption across all levels of the public service.

State-owned companies to sell urea for Rs. 9,000 from June 15

The price of a 50kg bag of urea fertilizer sold to farmers by the two state-owned fertilizer companies will be priced at Rs. 9,000 from June 15.

Dengue breaks record in May

The month of May has logged a total of 9,290 Dengue cases, recording the highest monthly infections since January 2023.

Stop drawing your heart high on the Lotus Tower

The Colombo Lotus Tower has once again reiterated to its visitors to stop confessing their love on the Lotus Tower walls as couples continue to draw hearts and scribble their names to confess their commitment to one another.

Navin Dissanayake’s Tweet on Standup comedy irks British comedian Ricky Gervais

Popular British comedian Ricky Gervais and Former Minister Navin Dissanayake had an interesting Twitter interaction over a tweet posted by the latter on standup comedy.

Mindful when feeding children with cheaper food

The spreading of non-communicable diseases in society is much higher, and people, especially parents should be very careful when giving cheaper foods to their children, such as an array of soft drinks sold in the market, as they contain excessive sugar, salt and fat, Health Ministry’s Nutrition Division Director and specialist Dr. Lakmini Nayana Magodarathne said.

Govt. discusses digitization in agricultural sector data with Bill Gates Foundation

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation discussed the digitization of data in Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SL Rupee appreciates against USD

Despite the Sri Lanka Rupee (SLR) falling slightly against the US Dollar (USD) yesterday, it has appreciated against the USD today.

CBSL warns general public over 8 pyramid-type schemes

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested the Attorney General to consider instituting criminal proceedings against eight pyramid-type prohibited schemes operating in the country.

China reiterates steadfast support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic recovery

China has reiterated its steadfast support to Sri Lanka in its ongoing economic recovery and also its keen interest in exploring opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

TV channel rating is biased, incorrect: Media Ministry Secretary

It was revealed at the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) that the rating system of television channels is not correct and is irregular and biased.

When will this racism end?: Ven. Gnanasara asks

’’We have been talking about this racial and religious differences since the time we understood it. So when will this come to an end? Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera questioned.

Tiran orders to remove security for certain people and places

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles has instructed IGP Chandana Wickramaratne to remove the police officers deployed for the protection of certain persons and places that do not require protection and immediately assign them to the police stations.

Maithri turns into a poet for a newly wed couple

A video has been found circulating on social media showing former President Maithripala Sirisena showing off his poetry reading skills by reciting a ’Hitiwana Kavi’ in an age-old style at a wedding ceremony held recently.

Dengue epidemic; Sri Lanka not out of woods yet

Despite rains having comparatively decreased, the Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) warned that Sri Lanka is not out of the woods yet in terms of the dengue outbreak.

Ganja cultivations in state lands in East, Governor vows tough action

Newly appointed Governor for the Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman said he received complaints about Cannabis or Ganja being cultivated in the lands coming under the purview of various state institutions, and he would take heads of these bodies to task if proven guilty.

Sri Lanka welcomes US$ 350mn ADB loan to stabilise economy

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe welcomed Asian Development Bank’s approval of US$ 350 million loan to Sri Lanka for the stabilisation of the economy.

Govt. mulls increasing debt ceiling to raise funds to maintain critical road infrastructure

The government is likely to raise the domestic debt ceiling for this year in the coming months in order to raise the required funds via selling government securities to rehabilitate and maintain the country’s critical road infrastructure that is in need of urgent attention.

Palm oil industry stakeholders urge govt. to lift ban on cultivation

Sri Lanka’s Palm Oil Industry Association (POIA) and the Asian Palm Oil Alliance (APOA) yesterday called on the government to reconsider the ban on oil palm cultivation and allow its expansion so that the island nation can reap the economic benefits stemming from it.

“There are several idiots in the Cabinet’’ - SLPP MP

While stressing that he was not aware of the current stance of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), MP Wimalaweera Dissanayaka warned that he was not ready to sit idle in the government.

Consuming beef from LSD infected cattle will not harm humans

Consumption of beef from cattle suffering from the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) will not spread the disease among humans, as the LSD only reduces milk production, Director General of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Research and Training Institute Dr. Hemali Kotalawala said.

Sri Lanka seeks ’Superstar’ Rajinikanth’s help to boost tourism

Sri Lanka has invited ’Superstar’ Rajinikanth, a world-renowned actor from South India to visit Sri Lanka in order to boost tourism in the country.

Dengue deaths rise to 25: May inching to record highest cases

The death toll from the dengue epidemic has climbed to 25, with the latest deaths being confirmed over the weekend.

Charith Asalanka to join team tomorrow after tying the knot

Sri Lanka’s 25-year-old batsman Charith Asalanka, who got married on Monday, is expected to join the rest of Sri Lanka’s squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan, tomorrow.

SJB calls for explanation from MPs Vadivel Suresh, Rajitha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) has called for an explanation from parliamentarians Vadivel Suresh and Rajitha Senaratne for having acted against the party’s decision to vote against the motion to remove the Public Utilities Commission Chairman from his post.