New Basnayake Nilame elected for Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya

Ishan Sanka Mapitigama was elected as the new Basnayake Nilame of the historic Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya at a vote held at the Ratnapura District Secretariat today.

South Africa spinner reclaims No.1 ranking for ODI bowlers

A new No.1 ODI bowler is crowned as South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj displaces Sri Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana at the top.

Disabled drivers to receive licences under new rules

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) announced that driving licences will be issued to individuals with hearing impairments, blindness in one eye and physical disabilities.

At least 71 Afghan refugees killed in huge bus crash after being deported by Iran

At least 71 people, including 17 children, have been killed in western Afghanistan after a bus carrying refugees deported from Iran burst into flames following a collision with a fuel truck.

Nearly 71 percent of families depend on Aswesuma: Minister

Nearly 71 percent of Sri Lankan families depend on the Aswesuma, the current Sri Lankan poverty aliviation programme, Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Panilage told Parliament today.

Postal strike causes backlog of international mail at BIA

A large stock of letters and parcels sent to Sri Lanka from various countries has piled up at the Cargo Village of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today (20) around 12.00 noon, due to the ongoing strike by postal workers.

Postal employee accuses authorities of misleading public amid ongoing strike

A protesting postal employee, addressing the media in his half-dressed uniform, accused the government of misleading the public with false information regarding the ongoing postal strike.

Health Ministry suspends approval of staff leave

The Health and Mass Media Ministry has temporarily suspended the approval of both domestic and foreign leave for its staff until further notice.

Man rescued after climbing utility post demanding wife’s return

A tense situation arose when a man climbed on top of a utility post, demanding that authorities take steps to bring back his wife currently employed overseas.

Israel defence minister approves plan to conquer Gaza City

Defence Minister Israel Katz’s move, confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson, piled pressure on Hamas as mediators pushing for a ceasefire in the nearly two-year war in Gaza awaited an official Israeli response on their latest proposal.

Four army personnel remanded over death of young man in Mullaitivu

Four army personnel, including a sergeant, have been remanded until August 26 in connection with the death of a 32-year-old man whose body was recovered from the Muthiyankaddu Tank in Mullaitivu.

Strict regulations in place after Swine fever outbreak

Strict regulations have been introduced following the African Swine Fever epidemic, which has now been brought 95 per cent under control, according to the Department of Animal Production and Health.

International driving licence issuing counter at BIA prevents large scam: Minister

The international driving licence issuing counter at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) prevents a large scale scam where certain persons who claim to be brokers charge around USD 100 from foreigners for mediatiing to obtain international driving licences, Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

SLMA opposes Govt move to allow cannabis cultivation

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the academic body representing the nation’s medical professionals, has strongly opposed the government’s recent decision to allow foreign companies to cultivate cannabis in Sri Lanka.

Nuwara Eliya’s beauty threatened as waterfalls face decline

It has become a matter of serious concern that waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya - once described as “torrents of foreign exchange” for their tourism value - are now drying up.

Gambling Bill defines school raffles, funeral card games, temple auctions as ‘gaming’

In response to a question raised by an opposition MP, Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha informed Parliament yesterday that activities such as school raffle draws, playing cards during funerals, and the auctioning of flower trays offered at temples are included under the definition of ’’gaming’’ in the proposed Gambling Regulatory Authority Bill.

Sri Lanka declined to let burning ship to be towed to Hambantota Port: Minister

Sri Lanka declined to allow the ship that caught fire off the coast of Kerala, India, to be towed to a Sri Lankan port, fearing possible marine pollution from hazardous wastes, a Minister said yesterday.

Finnish MP, 30, dies inside Parliament building

An MP from Finland’s Social Democratic Party, Eemeli Peltonen, has died in Finland’s Parliament building on Tuesday at the age of 30, the assembly’s communications office said.

New political alliance underway to challenge govt., strengthen opposition

In order to revive a weak and ailing opposition, a major move is underway within the opposition parties to form a broader political alliance to take on the NPP government and address key national and economic issues in the country.

National Gymnasts Caught in Sports Ministry Power Play

Suspension of Olympian and National coach to protect powerful insider stuns gymnastic fraternity

Sri Lanka could top 2.7million tourist arrivals with promotion: Janaka Rathnayaka

Sri Lanka has the potential to exceed 2.7 million tourist arrivals this year if the country is strategically promoted and positioned as a global travel destination, former Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Rathnayaka said.

Several medical professionals threaten TU action

All supplementary medical professionals attached to 31 hospitals under the Western Province have decided to launch trade union action from Tuesday (19).

Minister urges calm ahead of hartal in North, East

Cabinet Media Spokesman, Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa appealed to the people of the Northern and Eastern Provinces not to be misled by what he described as distortions and false propaganda aimed at the government and the security forces.

3 dead, 8 wounded in Brooklyn lounge shooting

Three people are dead, 8 others wounded after a shooting at the Taste of the City lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn early Sunday.

Pakistan name squad for upcoming Asia Cup

Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan for the upcoming UAE tri-series and the subsequent Asia Cup also to be played in the UAE.

At least 150 still missing in Pakistan after deadly flash floods

More than 150 people are missing in northwest Pakistan, the head of the provincial disaster authority said Sunday, after flash floods that have killed at least 344 people in the country.

Passengers complain of long queues at BIA

Passengers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) raised complaints last night over severe congestion, with long queues reported at both check-in counters and immigration.

Plastic debris from sunken MSC Elsa 3 continues to wash ashore in Sri Lanka

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) said that plastic debris from the MSC Elsa 3, which sank off the coast of India, continues to wash up along Sri Lanka’s coastline.

Sri Lankan, two Malaysians nabbed in heroin bust

Police arrested three men, including a Sri Lankan national, and successfully dismantled a heroin processing laboratory, operated by a drug distribution syndicate, in two raids in the Bukit Tambun area here on Tuesday.

Canada orders striking Air Canada flight attendants back to work

More than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants who went on strike early Saturday will be ordered to return to work by the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB), said Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu.