Japanese government to fight damages suit filed by kin of dead Sri Lankan woman

The Japanese government will fight a ¥156 million ($1.23 million) damages lawsuit filed by relatives of a Sri Lankan woman who died last year while in custody at an immigration center in Nagoya, sources said Sunday.

Atulugama murder: CPA urges NCPA to act immediately

With the devastating news of the 14th child murdered within 20 months in Sri Lanka, the Child Protection Alliance (CPA) said they were shocked at the total paralysis of State Authorities and urge National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) to act immediately.

SJB calls for more revisions on proposed 21st Amendment

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today called for further revisions on the proposed 21st Amendment to curtail more powers of the Executive President.

Atulugama girl’s murder: President assures swift action

Expressing condolences over the death of the 9-year old girl from Atulugama, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pledged to expedite swift action and justice to the girl’s family.

STF sieze 76 Elephant pearls in a largest raid

During the largest raid carried out in Sri Lanka to recover Elephant Pearls (Gajamuthu), the STF arrested a suspect in possession of 76 Elephant Pearls in Iginiyagala yesterday.

Body of girl gone missing from Atulugama recovered

The body of 9-year old girl who was reported missing from Atulugama, Bandaragama yesterday has been recovered in a marshy land near her home.

Sapugaskanda oil refinery to resume operations today after two months

With the commencement of the unloading 79,000 metric tons of crude oil from a freight tanker anchored in Sri Lankan waters yesterday, the Sapugaskanda oil refinery is to kick off operations today after two months, the Co-Chairman of the Petroleum Branch of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya (SLNSS) said.

New PM could bring about political stability in SL: U.S. Ambassador

The U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung expressed hope that the government, including the new Prime Minister, would be able to bring about political stability and overcome the current economic crisis.

Renewable energy generation plan from June 1: Minister

A rapid renewable energy generation plan will be put to effect from June 1 and the expenses incurred on fuel for power generation has exceeded USD $100 million per month. Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Sri Lankan crisis: State-owned insurance firm likely to incur losses in excess of LKR 1 billion

Sri Lanka’s state-owned insurance firm may incur losses in excess of LKR 1 billion due to the violent clashes between anti- and pro-government protesters in the country earlier this month, New York-based ratings agency Fitch has said.

Existing fuel stock status at Kolonnawa, Muthurajawela terminals

The Power and Energy Ministry today released the status of the existing stock of fuel at Kolonnawa and Muthurajawela terminals.

SJB MP warns of probable fishermen’s protest soon

Fishermen are gearing up to surround houses of Ministers and the Prime Minister soon, demanding fuel at a subsidized rate, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said yesterday.

Three SDIGs including Ajith Rohana transferred

Three Senior DIGs including Senior DIG in charge of the Crime and Traffic Ajith Rohana have been transferred.

Tourism sector presents ‘Revival for Survival’ plan for quick recovery

The hard-hit tourism sector has formulated a strategy document, the ‘Revival for Survival’ plan, to help support the industry through the ongoing economic crisis and move towards a positive work trajectory at the earliest.

Additional funding from China will not complicate ties with India: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed confidence that Sri Lanka’s relationship with India would not be impacted as it reaches out to China for further assistance to bail out the crisis-hit economy.

Non-payment of dues by CEB puts renewable energy sector at risk: Stakeholders

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the largest electricity company in the country, failing to pay the dues amounting to Rs.23 billion to the renewable energy sector would put thousands of jobs at risk.

Drones are a threat to citizens’ privacy and national security

Foreign entities promoting unmanned drone operations in the country under cover of commercial operations

SL tells India: bridge financing needed till IMF programme worked out

The possibility of increasing and restructuring the India’s assistance in the form of credits for essential commodities and fuel, and balance of payment support was explored

ITN Chairman resigns

Chairman of the Independent Television Network (ITN) Niroshan Premaratne has resigned from his position.

JVP proposes more Amendments included in 21A

While making several proposals to be included in the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today they would support a Constitutional Amendment which would strengthen democratic values.

Anthony Nihal Fonseka to be appointed as CBSL Monetary Board member

The Parliamentary Council has approved the proposal to appoint Anthony Nihal Fonseka as a member of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dassanayake said.

New Australian government releases Sri Lankan family from immigration detention

Australia’s new government said on Friday it would give temporary visas to a Sri Lankan asylum seeker family held in immigration detention since 2019, a step towards closure of one of the country’s most controversial migration cases.

Sri Lanka thrash Bangladesh in second Test, win series

Oshada Fernando hit an unbeaten 21 to give Sri Lanka a storming 10-wicket victory against Bangladesh in the second Test and a 1-0 series win on Friday.

If health workers’ pay cut not revoked, GMOA will resort to TU action

If the Health Minister does not take action to revoke health workers’ pay cut completely within a week, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said they would resort to serious trade union action, GMOA General Committee Member Dr. Prasad Kolabage said.

Shashi Weerawansa sentenced to two years imprisonment

Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today imposed a two-years-rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 100,000 on Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

India, Japan to work together to help Sri Lanka during crisis

India and Japan have agreed to work together on assisting crisis-hit Sri Lanka, the Japanese government said, following a recent meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.

Existing stock of fuel at CPSTL, CPC plants released

The Power and Energy Ministry today released the existing stocks of fuel at all Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) plants.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout to kick off today

People who are over 20 years of age are requested to get their COVID-19 fourth vaccine dose, including first, second, and third doses against the coronavirus, from the CMC Vaccination Centres today, Colombo Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Dinu Guruge said.

Peoples Bank Nonperforming loans Rs 54 billion in 2021

COPE chairman Prof. Charitha Herath making a recommendation to the Chairman of People’s Bank Sujeewa Rajapakse, called for the submission of a comprehensive report within a month with details of companies in the private sector which were granted loans worth Rs.54 billion, which are currently in the non-performing status.

Basil fights back to save his political future as RW pushes for 21A today

In a move to push for the 21st amendment to be accepted by the party leaders today, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will lobby for it at the party leaders’ meeting at 3.30 pm today in order to reduce the powers of the President and also remove dual citizens from holding a parliamentary seat, which in turn will end Basil Rajapaksa’s political career in Sri Lanka.