SL will soon need to cut down number of state sector employees: Senior presidential advisor

Sri Lanka will not be able to afford a large public sector in the near future and will soon need to start reducing the number of state employees, a senior advisor to the president said yesterday.

Sri Lanka ranked 4th best country for long vacations in global study

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the top five destinations in the world for long vacations in a study conducted by Ubuy India, a global e-commerce platform.

Construction sector still uncertain about much-awaited tax concessions

Sri Lanka’s construction industry said it is still uncertain about receiving its much-awaited tax concessions, as the industry stakeholders opine that the government’s requirement to meet the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-driven fiscal targets in its budget next year may leave little room for relief.

Harini going to supermarket, Prez walking to work: time to stop grandstanding: opposition MP

Referring to the recent actions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said both should stop grandstanding

Dilruwan steps down from NSC to become U-19 Spin Coach

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) are yet to appoint a replacement for Dilruwan Perera, who stepped down from his role as a member of the National Selection Committee (NSC) last week.

Govt. decides not to re-conduct Grade 5 Scholarship Exam: AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers has recommended not to re-conduct the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, taking into consideration the mental stress students would undergo and the adverse effects it would have on the scheduled examination calendar.

EC issues ultimatum to candidates over expense reports

The Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by December 6, with the deadline set at midnight.

GCE (O/L) exams 2024 (2025) registration deadline extended

The Examinations Department has extended the deadline for online registration for the 2024 (2025) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations for both government schools and private candidates.

Three dead and dozens sick after eating sea turtle stew

Three people have died and at least 32 were hospitalised in the Philippines after eating an endangered sea turtle cooked in stew.

Candidates must submit expense reports before Dec. 6 – EC

The Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by December 6, with the deadline set at midnight.

Coconut dropped by monkey kills man

A man who received serious internal injuries when a young coconut dropped by a monkey fell on his head died after admission to the intensive care unit of the Kegalle General Hospital.

Cricket legend Sangakkara speaks about rise of unregulated franchise leagues

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara has voiced concerns about increasing corruption in cricket, driven by the rise of unregulated franchise leagues.

Vehicle importer opens registrations ahead of import ban lift

Since the government has approved the resumption of vehicle imports, a leading vehicle importer has started registering individuals interested in purchasing new vehicles once the restriction on private vehicle imports is lifted.

World Test Championship - State of Play ahead of 2025 final

South Africa and England’s comprehensive wins over Sri Lanka and New Zealand respectively have strong bearings on the ICC World Test Championship 2025 equations.

Two injured, 4 arrested during Education Ministry protest

Two Development Officers attached to the teachers’ service were injured and four others were arrested during a protest in front of the Education Ministry, police said.

Protest by Development Officers causes traffic congestion on Kottawa-Borella road

A severe traffic congestion was reported on the Kottawa-Borella road in front of the Education Ministry due to a protest by Development Officers attached to the teaching service.

SJB Parliamentary group to meet today to decide on Chief Opposition Whip: MP

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentary group is to meet at 5 pm today where it will select the Chief Opposition Whip and those who will participate in the debate on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s policy statement, which will be held in Parliament tomorrow.

Lohan, his wife further remanded

Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte and his wife Shashi Prabha Ratwatte were further remanded till December 6 over the case involving an unregistered luxury vehicle.

Air Quality Index improving: CEA

The Air Quality Index which was between 100 to 180 during the last few days has reduced to 100 and 110 by yesterday, the Central Environment Authority (CEA) said.

New Chief Justice sworn in

Supreme Court Justice Murdu Nirupa Bidushinie Fernando was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of Sri Lanka before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (02) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Dozens killed in crush at Guinea football match

Dozens of people have died in a crush following clashes at a football match in Guinea’s second-largest city, N’zérékoré, local media report.

Coconut prices exceed Rs. 200 in local markets

The price of coconuts across various areas of the country has reportedly increased, with the cost of a single coconut in the local market exceeding Rs. 200.

Fair weather prevails in most areas in country

While there will be a few showers in the Galle and Matara districts and in the Northern Province, fair weather will prevail in most parts of the country, the Meteorology Department said.

Saman Edema no more

Former Vidyartha, Kandy SC, Havelock SC, Dimbula Athletic and Cricket Club, one of the referees from Central Province, and former Technical Officer of Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, Saman Edema passed away in Matale after a brief illness.

Bureaucratic delay puts over 200 specialists at risk of retirement

A delay in issuing a crucial circular/ Gazette has put over 200 specialist doctors in Sri Lanka at risk of premature retirement, threatening the country’s public health service, Daily Mirror learns

No more state bungalows to ministers, duty free vehicle permits, pension scrapped for MPs

In its move for the curtailment of benefits for parliamentarian in keeping with the the election manifesto, the government has decided not to assign state bungalows to ministers,a Minister said yesterday.

MPs, Ministers refuse luxury vehicles due to low fuel efficiency: Speaker

Claiming that there is a large fleet of unused luxury vehicles, Speaker Dr. Shoka Ranwala said yesterday most MPs and Ministers refuse to use luxury vehicles due to their low fuel efficiency.

Sharujan’s ton helps Sri Lanka U-19 coast to second win

Sharujan Shanmuganathan continued his batting prowess as he cracked a match-winning knock of 102 runs to help Sri Lanka U-19 coast to a convincing 131-run win over Afghanistan U-19 in the ongoing Under-19 Asia Cup tournament encounter played at Sharjah.

Biden issues official pardon for son Hunter

US President Joe Biden has issued an official pardon for his son Hunter, who was facing sentencing for two criminal cases.

New Zealand reports first case of H7 bird flu

Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected at a poultry farm in New Zealand’s South Island, authorities said on Monday, the first time the island nation has reported a highly pathogenic variant of avian influenza.