Excise Dept. approves production of new alcoholic beverages locally for export markets

With the aim to boost foreign exchange earnings from locally produced alcoholic beverages, the Excise Department has granted approval to produce cider and milk punch, with local ingredients, for export markets.

Woes of country mounting with bailout delay, Sri Lanka tells international forum

As Sri Lanka continues to face delays in securing the much sought-after bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government admitted this week that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult for the people of the country.

Jaishankar to discuss debt crisis on visit to Sri Lanka next week

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will travel to Sri Lanka next week, sources told The Hindu. This will be his first trip to the country since President Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn-in last July after street protests forced out the previous Rajapaksa regime.

New ’Covid 19’ protocol, procedures issued for all inbound tourists

Sri Lanka Tourism has issued new ’Covid 19’ Protocol and Procedures for all inbound tourists.

Public Admin. Ministry Secy apologises to EC over his letter

Public Administration Ministry Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinne apologized to the Election Commission for issuing a letter to the Returning Officers asking them not to accept deposits from candidates for the Local Government Election.

Only a day’s govt. revenue needed for LG polls: AKD

Refuting claims made by the government that the Local Government elections could not be held due to the shortage of funds, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said it was totally unacceptable as only a day’s government revenue was required for the election.

Claymore bomb found in Ahungalla

A claymore bomb which was hidden under a banana bush at Welikanda in ​​Ahungalla, Galle had been found by the police this evening.

Lotus Tower defaced, several arrested

The management of the Lotus Tower urged the public to help preserve the iconic structure by treating it as a national treasure.

Train operations on the Batticaloa line resumes

The train services which was suspended on the Batticaloa railway line since this morning has resumed, the Railways Department said.

30 short distance trains will be off the track from Monday: Minister

The Railways Department has decided to cancel 30 short distance trains with effect from Monday (16).

A/L tuition classes prohibited from Jan. 17 midnight

Conducting coaching classes or tuition classes targeting the 2022 (2023) GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be prohibited from January 17 midnight, the Department of Examinations said.

Govt receives 70% school uniform fabric requirements from China

While completing 70 percent of the total school uniform fabric requirement for the year 2023, the Chinese government today handed over a donation of 8,862,990 meters of cloth to Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

SIU Director informs Court he was threatened by Deshabandu Tennakoon

The Director of the Special Investigation Unit of the Police Department SSP Wickramasinghe today informed court that he was threatened by Senior DIG Deshbandu Tennakoon for reporting facts to the court regarding the investigations into the money recovered by protesters inside the President’s House on 9th July.

High level Chinese delegation to visit Sri Lanka

A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) led by its International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou will visit Sri Lanka from January 14 to 18, the first official visit of the Chinese party in 2023 and after the 20th CPC National Congress, diplomatic sources said.

Mawanella PS Chairman arrested for accepting bribe

Chairman of the Mawanella Pradeshiya Sabha Samantha Steevan was arrested by the Bribery Commission officers today while accepting a bribe of Rs. 2 million.

Criminal case should be filed against Maithri and others based on SC ruling: AKD

While highlighting that a criminal case should be filed against former President Maithripala Sirisena and others for failing to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks based on the Supreme Court ruling, JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today their legal team is studying the Supreme Court verdict and how the Attorney General was acting upon the verdict.

’’Court didn’t order me to pay, the order was for Maithripala,’’ Dudley Sirisena lashes out

Dudley Sirisena, brother of former President Maithripala Sirisena said today the Supreme Court had not ordered him to pay compensation to Easter Sunday victims but it was his brother Maithripala who had to pay the compensation.

Easter Sunday Attack: Catholic Church calls for the prosecution of MS and others

The Catholic Church today called for the prosecution of former President Maithripala Sirisena and others who were found guilty of failing to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks under criminal procedure.

Legal Framework on oil and gas exploration issued

The Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka (PDASL) would recommence work on the exploration of assets in about 900 blocks identified around the country with suitable investors, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

SLT’s standalone credit profile is stronger - Fitch Ratings

Despite the downgrading of Sri Lanka credit ratings, the Fitch Ratings, has also stated that Sri Lanka Telecom’s Standalone Credit Profile (SCP) is stronger than that of the state, reflecting the company’s market leadership in fixed-line services and second-largest share in mobile, its ownership of an extensive optical fibre network and a strong financial profile.

Election Commission tells Supreme Court it has taken all steps to hold LG Election

The Election Commission today informed Supreme Court that it has taken all steps to hold the Local Government Election in accordance with the law.

Sangakkara rings Lord’s legacy at Eden Gardens

Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, who rang the two-minute bell at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, may be one of the very few cricketers who has had this honour at Lord’s in London also.

SL Army’s strength to be trimmed from 200,000 to 135,000 by next year

State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said that approved cadre of the Sri Lanka Army, which now stands at 200,783 will be reduced to 135,000 by 2024.

IGP interdicts Monaragala SSP

The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Monaragala, Sisira Kumara who was arrested by the STF with cannabis plants at his residence, has been interdicted with immediate effect by IGP C.D. Wickramaratne.

Upbeat CSE prepares for potential SOE listings, to offer new products

Banking on renewed foreign investor sentiment and expected recovery in the economy in the second half of the year, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is set to introduce a suite of new products to the market this year, while making its platform available for potential sale of shares of selected state-owned enterprises (SOEs) if the government decided to do so.

Ranil assures govt. on track to ease economic hardships of people, businesses

Living and operating businesses in the current economic environment in Sri Lanka is becoming increasingly daunting for the people, but President Ranil Wickremesinghe this week gave assurance that the government is on track to bring in the much-awaited relief.

Batticaloa train derailed after knocking elephants to death

Three elephants died last night after being knocked down by a speeding train on the Batticaloa-Trinco-Colombo railway line near the Hatares Kotuwa area between Habarana and Gal-Oya stations, the Railway Department said.

Reginald Cooray passes away

Sri Lanka Freedom Party Kalutara district leader and former Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray died last night while receiving treatment at the Kalutara Hospital.

Sri Lanka tops at most losses in ODI cricket

The Sri Lankan team has made it to the bizarre list of most losses in ODI by a team, being at the top. The Island nation has played 880 matches so far and lost 437 games.

Fitch downgrades 10 SL banks, CEB, SLT & Lakdhanavi

Fitch Ratings has downgraded the National Long-Term Ratings of 10 Sri Lankan banks, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) and Sri Lanka-based Lakdhanavi Limited.