Ali Sabry had productive meeting with US State Secy.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had a productive meeting with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC.

Another luxury cruise ship arrives at Colombo Port

Another luxury cruise ship, Azamara Quest arrived at the Colombo Port today carrying more than 600 passengers, mainly from the US.

Armed gang robs Police OIC’s house

An armed gang came in motorcycles and a white van ransacked a residence of an Officer In-Charge (OIC) of the Kalutara North Police this afternoon.

Unfair to up electricity bill at this time, says SLPP

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has made a profit of Rs. 1 billion between August 10 and November 30, so it is unfair to increase the electricity bill at this time, Parliamentarian Rohitha Abeygunawardena said.

Nutritients for children suffering from malnutrition soon: Ministry

A program to provide packs containing nutrients for children suffering from malnutrition is to be starte soon by the health ministry, Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha said.

Applying for Passports to go online from next year: Immigration dept.

The Immigration and Emigration Department has planned to accept applications to issue passports through online starting in January next year, the department’s IT controller Champika Ramawickrama said.

Schoolboy drowned in hotel swimming pool in Wennappuwa

A 14-year-old schoolboy who was swimming in the swimming pool in a hotel at Boralassa, Wennappuwa had drowned.

Thundershowers forecast this afternoon: Met Dept.

It is forecast that there would be thundershowers at several places in Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces during the afternoon, the Metrology Department said.

Alarming hike in viral fever, dengue

There is an increase in the spread of viral fever and the COVID-19 virus in the community, and people are advised to take immediate medications to control the situation, the Health Ministry said.

Cinnamon Air resumes daily scheduled flights

Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s premier domestic airline, has resumed daily scheduled flights after a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic.

November tourist arrivals up by 42% from previous month

Tourist arrivals to the country saw a significant increase in the month of November, with the number of international visitors entering the country growing by 42 percent from October.

Sports Minister appoints ’’Fact Finding Committee’’ on players’ behaviour at T20 World Cup

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe has appointed a six-member Fact Finding Committee to inquire not only about the players’ behaviour during the T20 World Cup in Australia but also to ascertain whether officials showed ’’real concerns’’ for the team members.

South Korea stun Portugal 2-1, secure last 16 spot

South Korea beat Portugal 2-1 in a dramatic clash at the Fifa World Cup 2022 at the Education City Stadium on Friday.

Ex-Magistrate found guilty and sentenced to five years RI

The Colombo High Court has issued an open warrant for the arrest of former Galle Magistrate D.S. Merinchiarachchi for not appearing in court after she was found guilty of committing offences in 2000 while serving as the Galle Magistrate.

Maldivian Vice President calls on President Wickremesinghe

The Maldivian Vice President Faisal Naseem called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat today, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Ship freighting MOP fertilizer reachs Colombo port tonight

The ship carrying 41,876 metric tons of Miuriate of Potash (MOP) Fertilizer, an essential source of manure for paddy cultivation is scheduled to arrive at the port of Colombo tonight (3).

Becoming a ’zoo parent’ very easy

’Animal Adoption Program’’ was launched by the National Zoological Gardens Department (Dehiwala Zoo) to help offset the annual cost of caring for the zoo animals with the participation of adults as well as children.

CSSL to launch CIO list for the first time in the country

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) has decided to launch their national list of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) in the country for the first time, with the intention of recognizing the best CIOs in Sri Lanka.

Wine stores must be allowed to open 24 hours: Diana

Bars, hotels and shops in Sri Lanka should be kept open for 24 hours in order to derive maximum revenue from the tourism industry, State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage told Parliament today.

A/L University entrance cut-off marks released

The University Grants Commission (UGC) today released the university entrance cut-off marks for the candidates of the 2021/22 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination, UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said.

Soldier arrested for sexual assault on female cop

A 27-year old soldier has been arrested for an alleged verbal sexual assault on a Woman cop at the Mawanella police station.

EC conspires to postpone LG polls: AKD

The elections commission including its chairman Nimal Punchihewa is conspiring to postpone the Local Government elections, National People’s Power (NPP) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

SJB MPs most undisciplined group in parliament: Speaker

Time management and discipline of MPs were questioned today by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene saying that Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs are the most undisciplined lot in the House.

Admission to intermediate classes - 2022 suspend from Dec. 5: Ministry

The admission of students to the intermediate classes for the year 2022 will be suspended from December 5, until the beginning of the third term of this year, the Education Ministry said.

Central Bank Governor most trusted by Sri Lankans to resolve economic crisis

Central Bank (CB) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has emerged as the most trusted and the only person commanding the trust of the majority of Sri Lankans to carry out economic reforms in resolving the present economic crisis, according to the ‘Economic Reform Index’ survey conducted by Social Indicator (SI), the survey research arm of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA).

Political reforms need to accompany economic reforms in SL: Samantha Power

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator Samantha Power yesterday emphasised that political reforms need to accompany economic reforms in Sri Lanka.

Fitch downgrades Sri Lanka’s long-term local-currency IDR to ’CC’

Fitch Ratings - Hong Kong: Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ’CC’, from ’CCC’, and has affirmed the Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR at ’RD’ (Restricted Default). Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to ratings of ’CCC+’ or below.

Germany knocked out Fifa World Cup; Japan and Spain move to round of 16

Germany crashed out of the Fifa World Cup on a remarkable night of drama despite victory over Costa Rica at Al Bayt Stadium.

Staggering staff expenditure disclosed during Mahinda-Maithri periods

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had used 43 percent of the total expenditure of the Presidential allocation for his personal staff while former President Maithipala Sirisena has used 57 percent, according to accounts released by the office.

Deadline for filing income tax returns extended for another week

The deadline for filing income tax returns has been extended for another week starting from November 30, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe announced in Parliament yesterday.