Listen to people, not just to technocrats to resolve issues in economy

Sri Lanka needs to listen more to what its people are saying, instead of paying heed to only technocrats, said senior economist Prof. Shantha Devarajan. By not paying attention to the call of citizens, the real problems of the national economy will not be solved, he cautioned.

Asalanka, Wellalage help Sri Lanka clinch thriller to level series

Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets against Afghanistan in the third and final ODI at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium to level the series.

200mn from Indian credit line for emergency health sector needs: Keheliya

The US dollars 200 million from the Indian credit line is to be used to fulfill emergency needs of the health sector, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella told the ministry consultative committee today.

Kelani Valley railway time table to be amended from Dec. 5

There will be an amendment to the train timetable of the Kelani Valley railway line as of December 5, Railways Deputy General Manager (DGM) Gamini Seneviratne said.

No decision to increase electricity tariffs: PUCSL chairman

No decision has been taken for an electricity tariff hike, as news articles circulating regarding cabinet approval are insufficient to cover the loss of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Final outcome of COP27 discouraging: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the agreements reached at Climate Change Conference (COP 27) failed to place the nations of the world on a complementary and progressive course of redress, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

2hr 20min power cut until Dec.15, no night time Power cut in Southern and Ella Tourism zones

The Power and Energy Ministry will impose a two hour and twenty minutes island wide power cut which will continue till December 15.

Sensitive groups warned air pollutants from neighbouring countries blanket SL

Sensitive people are advised to exercise caution in this situation due to the presence of air pollutants generated in India and other neighbouring countries, according to National Building Research Organization (NBRO) Senior Scientist H.D. Sarath Premasiri.

Separate rest area for local, foreign tourists coming to Yala

A separate rest area will be constructed for local and foreign tourists coming to Yala to rest during the day.

Thilini and Janaki further remanded: Borelle Sirisumana Thera and Isuru granted bail

Owner of Thico Group Private Ltd Thilini Priyamali and businesswoman Janaki Siriwardena were today ordered to be further remanded till December 13 by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with alleged financial fraud incidents.

Mahapola allowance to be increased: Minister

Steps would be taken to increase the Mahapola allowance to facilitate the university students who are eligible for the scholarship, Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said today.

15-hour water cut in Colombo

Water supply will be interrupted from Friday (02) at 10.00 pm until 1.00 pm on Saturday (03) in Colombo due to an essential renovation project of the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

AG’s dept. delays filing case against Express Pearl: State Minister

Attorney General’s Department has delayed filing a case against the company that owned the ill-fated ship Xpress Pearl that caught fire while in Sri Lankan waters, State Minister Arundika Fernando told Parliament today.

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin dies at age 96

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin died on Wednesday at the age of 96 of leukaemia and multiple organ failure, Chinese state media reported.

Couple assaulted in Hikkaduwa, one dead

A 31-year old man was killed and his wife injured when a group of individuals travelling by motorcar had assaulted them with swords at Wewala junction in Hikkadua this morning.

Sri Lanka’s Debt to China Close to 20% of Public External Debt -Study

Sri Lanka owed Chinese lenders $7.4 billion - nearly a fifth of its public external debt - by the end of last year, calculations by the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) published on Wednesday showed, an estimate higher than many others.

Staff Grade Officers circulars withdrawn with immediate effect

The two Government circulars issued in 2019 and 2022 stipulating a dress code for Staff Grade Officers had been revoked with immediate effect, Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Ministry said.

At least 10,000 IT engineers migrated since the crisis: CSSL President

The brain drain has increased decisively due to the current economic crisis in the country, and at least 10,000 of the cream of ICT engineers have migrated since the crisis started, Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) President Damith Hettihewa said.

US$ 200 Mn from Indian Credit Line to be used for emergency health sector needs: Keheliya

The US dollars 200 million from the Indian credit line is to be used to fulfill emergency needs of the health sector, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella told the ministry consultative committee today.

World Bank assures continuous support to Sri Lanka: PM

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena held discussions with World Bank Country Director Chiyo Kanda and senior Strategy & Operations officials about the progress of ongoing projects and proposed future projects.

Several sections of Registration of Persons Act amended

While issuing an extraordinary gazette notification (2308/03), the government amended several sections of the Registration of Persons Act.

Qatar says worker deaths for World Cup ’between 400 and 500’

A top Qatari official involved in the country’s World Cup organization has put the number of worker deaths for the tournament “between 400 and 500” for the first time, a drastically higher number than any other previously offered by Doha.

Govt. decides not to transfer teachers, but to place them appropriately

The Education Ministry has decided not to transfer teachers in the same way as public servants but to place them appropriately, focusing on student needs, Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

SL ranked 10th in terms of manufacturing cost

Sri Lanka has been ranked 10 as the country with the cheapest manufacturing costs, as per a list compiled by US News and World Report by global survey respondents.

Orion goes the (max) distance

NASA’s uncrewed Orion spacecraft reached the farthest distance from Earth it will travel during the Artemis I mission — 268,563 miles from our home planet — just after 3 p.m. CST.

Gota-MR overseas visits wipe out Rs.40mn from state in 2021

Just five official foreign visits undertaken by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2021 alone had cost the state more than Rs. 40 million, according to details provided by the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office on a directive issued by the Right to Information Commission.

Oct. exports down 8%; Jan-Oct. exports up 9% to US$ 11bn

Sri Lanka’s merchandise export performance for the month of October contracted by 8.18 percent Year-on-Year (YoY), however, cumulative...

Kelani Valley railway line restored; train services back as usual

The damaged railway track on the Kelani Valley railway line has been repaired, and train services have resumed as usual, the Railways Department said.

Legal action if UPFA executive council meeting held tomorrow: General Sec.

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Mahinda Amaraweera said today that legal action will follow if the UPFA executive council meeting is held tomorrow.

Damaged rail track disrupts Kelani Valley train service

Train service on the Kelani Valley railway line has been disrupted due to the broken track between Baseline and Narahenpita railway stations, the Railways Department said.