Special gas distribution in Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha today

LITRO Gas Lanka Ltd has announced that a special domestic gas distribution plan for Colombo, Kalutara, and Gampaha today.

Daily guidance on dollar/rupee rate has brought in greater stability to forex market: CB

The Central Bank yesterday said the daily guidance rate released on the exchange rate between the United States dollar and Sri Lankan rupee is delivering the intended results by way of bringing in greater stability to the domestic foreign exchange market, which otherwise would have delivered disastrous implications, due to the rupee’s free fall.

Tourism authorities to approach ADB, WB for financial assistance

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities plan to approach multilateral donor agencies, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB), to obtain financial assistance for the crisis-hit tourism industry.

Verbal abuse of cop: Fmr UC Chairman Ravindu Wedaarachchi & his wife arrested

SJB MP Dilip Wedaarachchi’s son, former Chairman of the Tangalle Urban Council Ravindu Wedaarachchi and his wife Nethmi Harindika Silva have been arrested in connection with obstructing duties of a police officer and alleged attempt of assault.

I can't go as a failed president, I have been given a mandate for five years. I will not contest again: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa vowed to finish the remaining two years in his term despite monthslong street protests calling for his ouster, but won’t stand for re-election as he focuses on fixing a financial mess that tipped Sri Lanka into its worst-ever economic crisis.

Ranjan sits for first-semester exam of bachelor’s degree

Former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who is serving a prison sentence for contempt of court sat for the first-semester examination of his bachelor’s degree in Community Development and Youth, Prisons Spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said today.

Cement prices up again

The maximum retail price of a 50kg bag of cement has been increased by Rs.150 with immediate effect, the Cement Manufacturers and Importers said.

Youth killed in shooting incident in Modara

A 25-year-old youth was killed in a shooting incident at Modara area this evening, Police said.

Electricity bill should increase by a considerable percentage: CEB Chairman

The electricity bill should be increased by a considerable percentage, at least to pay the monthly salary of the employees, CEB Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando said.

Farmers use pack bulls to transport produce

People in the rural areas of the Badulla District have reverted to ferry their paddy harvest using pack bulls because of the high fuel costs.

Prasanna Ranatunga sentenced to 2 years suspended imprisonment

Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga was today sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by Colombo High Court over an indictment filed by the Attorney General.

Indian businessman nabbed with Canadian dollars & Euros worth over Rs. 40Mn at BIA

An Indian national has been arrested by the Security officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle foreign currency worth over Rs. 40 million out of the country.

Another fuel price hike likely by mid-June: Ananda Palitha

There will be a fuel price increase again by mid June due to the increase in the crude oil price in the world market, Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) convener and media spokesman Ananda Palitha said.

Order issued suspending enjoining order against Russian Aeroflot flight

The Colombo Commercial High Court today issued an order suspending the operation of Enjoining Order issued against Russian Aeroflot flight.

CID yet to locate Johnston

Despite several teams being dispatched, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) is yet to locate former Minister Johnston Fernando to be taken into custody in connection with investigations into the attack on peaceful protesters at Temple Trees and Galle Face on May 9.

Bangladesh considering providing potatoes to SL during ongoing crisis

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said yesterday that despite being a country with a huge population, Bangladesh may provide potatoes to Sri Lanka during this crisis.

Ranil and Karu reach consensus

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya have reached and agreement to work together on forming new Parliament committees.

No price hike; no distribution until Wednesday: LITRO

While refuting social media reports of gas price revision, LITRO Gas Lanka Limited said it has not yet decided to increase the prices of gas cylinders, a company spokesman said.

Printing money similar to giving high dose of sugar to diabetic

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s repeated comments to the effect of the government having to rely on printed money to pay for essential government bills such as payment of salaries and pensions in the ensuing months, the former Central Bank Deputy Governor, Dr. W.A. Wijewardena likened it to giving sugar to a diabetes patient, to reflect the severity of the move in aggravating the current problems in the economy.

AG to make submissions to Court on Aeroflot matter

The Attorney General (AG) is scheduled to make submissions to the Colombo Commercial High Court on affected third parties including the country’s tourism industry following the enjoining order issued by the Court preventing the Russian Aeroflot flight from leaving the country.

Sri Lanka hopes for over US$ 1bn in foreign investment this year

Sri Lanka is aiming to attract well over US$ 1 billion in foreign direct investment this year, an official said on Friday, as the country wrestles with its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948.

Sri Lanka revises down tourist arrivals target for this year; expects US$ 800mn as earnings

With a fresh one-year tourism revival plan in place, Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities are now targeting 800,000-850,000 tourist arrivals and earnings of US$ 800 million for this year by focusing on key source markets through joint promotional efforts.

SLTB depots to supply fuel for tourism industry

The government plans to solve fuel shortages and power interruptions faced by the country’s tourism industry by setting up a new mechanism this week. The Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando announced that a special mechanism to provide fuel to the tourism industry would be unveiled today following discussions with the Ministry of Power and Energy.

At least 50 killed in massacre at Catholic church in southwest Nigeria

Gunmen attacked a Catholic church in southwest Nigeria during mass on Sunday, killing at least 50 people including women and children, according to a hospital doctor and media reports.

Only 20% of private buses will be in operation today: Gemunu

At least twenty percent (5,000 buses) of the total fleet of private buses will be in operation in the country owing to the unavailability of diesel, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

May face extra charges for waiting at BIA: Airport authorities

The Russian Aeroflot aircraft grounded in Colombo due to a court order may face extra charges for remaining at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for about six days, until the next court hearing scheduled on June 08, the airport authorities said.

LAUGFS gas increases LP gas prices

LAUGFS gas has increased prices of its domestic gas cylinders.

Probe begins on sexual abuse on minor employees by divisional secretary

A divisional secretary in the Nuwara Eliya district is alleged to have sexually abused the minor (male) staff.

Daughter raped by mother’s lover

A woman’s lover who raped her 15 year old daughter was taken into custody by the Buttala police today.

Two men restore eyesight after 16 years after schoolboy donates eyes

Two young men have restored their eyesight with the eyes of a 16 year old schoolboy of Galenbindunuwewa area who died in an accident.