Three-member Election Committee appointed to elect new office bearers

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today that it has appointed a three-member Election Committee to conduct the forthcoming election of SLC Office Bearers, scheduled to be held in May 2023.

UPDATE - Businessman, Dinesh Schaffter dies after being found in critical state at Borella cemetery

Fifty two year old businessman, Dinesh Schaffter, a director of Janashakthi Group, who had been found tied inside a car at the Borella General Cemetery with serious injuries earlier this evening has died while receiving treatment at the National Hospital in Colombo.

Laws required to remove underperforming officials: Kanchana

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said although the people have the power to remove politicians in an election, there are no specific policies to take action against officials and institutions that do not show the required performance levels.

Govt. MPs seek probe against Shavendra Silva, IGP and others

Filing a writ petition in Court of Appeal, 22 government Parliamentarians representing SLPP and several others have sought an order directing the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation in order to ascertain as to whether former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva...

Champion boxer beaten and abducted over conflict between two gangs over drug trafficking

Police investigation into the assault and abduction of champion boxer M.S. Dinusha Lakshan had revealed that the incident was a result of a conflict between two gangs over drug trafficking.

Mindfulness pilot programme to be launched in schools from Jan.4: Minister

The Education Ministry will launch the ’’Mindfulness’’ program as a pilot program for schoolchildren on January 4 in all schools, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Cement prices can be decreased by another Rs.1,000

The recent drop in cement prices proves that prices are decided by a mafia of cement importers, Chairman of the National Construction Association Susantha Liyanaarachchi charged.

SL poverty line touches Rs 13,810 per person per month

The official poverty line of a Sri Lankan citizen has been determined for October at Rs. 13,810 per month, a report issued by the Census and Statistics Department (DCS) said.

Speaker endorses certificate on VAT (Amendment) Bill

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana endorsed the certificate on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill yesterday, Communications Department of Parliament said.

’’First read the book’’: Cabraal says distributing copies of his book

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal was seen distributing several copies of his new book ’’Among economic killers’’ to journalists.

Sri Lanka’s worst power cuts predicted in March and April 2023

Sri Lanka’s worst power cuts may come as early as March and April, as the country has failed to secure sufficient coal stocks required for thermal power generation, Nihal Weerarathne of the the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Engineers Union said.

UN to work with Prisons Dept. to enhance inmates’ agricultural practices

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are working with the Department of Prisons in Sri Lanka to enhance the skills of inmates in modern agriculture practices.

Diana Gamage’s travel ban temporarily lifted

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered to temporarily lift the travel ban imposed on State Minister Diana Gamage for a period of five days.

WHO chief hopes COVID will no longer be emergency next year

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday he is ’’hopeful’’ that the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be considered a global emergency some time next year.

Retirement age for medical officers revised; Gazette issued

The age limit of retirement for medical Consultants Doctors, Government Medical Officers, Dental Surgeons, and Registered Medical Officers have been revised through an extraordinary Gazette Notification.

Those who worked to defer PC polls, talking on 13A is hilarious, says Namal

It is hilarious that the same people who worked to postpone the Provincial Council (PC) elections are talking about a 13th Amendment to the Constitution today, Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa said.

Social media activist Dilan Senanayake injured in attack

Social media activist Dilan Senanayake has been hospitalised after being attacked by two people with a sharp weapon.

First-ever mobile app for tourism in Wilpattu National Park launched

A mobile app dedicated to self-guiding tourist information, navigation and virtual tours was launched for the first time in Sri Lanka at the Wilpattu National Park, yesterday.

Strengthening fiscal rules next key reform for economic stability: CB

The proposed strengthening of the Fiscal Management Responsibility Act (FMRA), which would require strict compliance with the fiscal targets, will be the next key reform for economic stability, leading to a sustainable economy in the long term, according to Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.

November tea exports down 25%

The tea exports in the month of November dipped 25 percent year-on-year (YoY) to 19.28 MnKgs, as all main categories recoded declines compared to the previous year, according to Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers.

Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery operations to resume from Friday

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that the operations of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery will resume from Friday (16) after receiving another 90,000 MT of crude oil for refining activities at the refinery.

Majority of Lankans don’t want national assets sold: Survey reveals

A majority of the Sri Lankan population are against selling of national assets considering the situation of country’s economy, a survey has revealed.

All political parties should unite to provide solution to ethnic problem: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that all political parties should come to a common agreement to provide a solution to the ethnic problem by the upcoming 75th Independence Celebration.

Inclusion of Doctors to gazette on 60 years compulsory retirement suspended

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the inclusion of Doctors and consultant specialist doctors from a gazette notification issued reducing compulsory retirement of government sector employees to 60 years. This interim order will be effective until January 25.

Cement prices to come down from tonight

The maximum retail price of a 50kg bag cement has been reduced by Rs.225 with effect from tonight, the INSEE Cement Sri Lanka said.

Two suspects nabbed with heroin worth Rs.335Mn

Two suspects have been arrested by the STF with 12kg of heroin which has a street value of over Rs. 335 million at a house in Mulleriyawa.

SL will miss intended IMF approval in December: Semasinghe

Sri Lanka will miss the intended formal approval of International Monetary Fund (IMF) in December this year, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said today.

Court directs to announce new control price for eggs today

Court of Appeal today ordered the Consumer Affairs Authority to suspend the Gazette notification on maximum selling price of eggs with immediate effect and announce the new control price today itself.

WFP Executive Board approves Sri Lanka’s Country Strategic Plan

The World Food Program (WFP) Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s Country Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period between 2023 and December 2027 valued at USD 74.87 million.

Gazette banning importing of rice issued

An extraordinary Gazette notification has been issued banning the import of rice, except for Basmathi variety.