Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and two others granted bail

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and two others were today granted bail by Colombo High Court in connection with GI Pipes Case filed by Bribery Commission.

Emirates to operate double daily direct flights to Colombo from Dec. 1

Emirates has announced plans to add one more daily direct flight between Dubai and Colombo from December 1, 2022 to cater to the seasonal increase in the demand for travel.

SL mission official in Oman suspended: Manusha

An officer attached to Sri Lankan mission in the Oman who has been involved in human trafficking racket has been suspended and will be brought back to Sri Lanka, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkatra told Parliament today.

President proposes to offer discounted leisure on Feb.4

The government has approved free entry into all national parks, botanical gardens, and leisure parks in view of the 75th Independence Day, which falls on February 4, 2023.

Dress code circular doesn’t apply for teachers: Public Adm. Secy.

The circular issued allowing government offices to report to work in an easy and decent dress is not applicable to school teachers, the Public Administration and Home Affairs Ministry said.

NASA’s Orion spacecraft flies by the moon, 81 miles above the surface

Five days after launching from the Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Orion spacecraft reached the moon Monday, passing within 81 miles of the lunar surface and marking the completion of a key step in the space agency’s Artemis campaign to return astronauts there within a few years.

No payment made by Basil to use VIP arrival lounge at BIA

Former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa who arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday morning to a grand welcome at the VIP lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is yet to pay the bill for using the VIP services as well as for the food which was provided to the guests that arrived.

Some SLPP ers to vote against budget 2023

Some groups of SLPP are to vote against the budget 2023 today while some opposition parties are to make the final decision today.

National inflation decelerates to 70.6% in October

Sri Lanka’s national consumer prices eased in October, signalling that the relentless increase in consumer inflation may have finally turned a corner after climbing for 14 consecutive months.

Tourism Alliance releases report on global travel demand for Sri Lanka

The Tourism Alliance has released a comprehensive report analyzing international traveller demand for Sri Lanka utilizing search data.

Budget 2023 aims for stability while laying platform for rebooting growth: Treasury Secy

Outlining the main policy thrust underlying Budget 2023 that was unveiled last week, Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana said it was designed with the intention of contributing to the economic stabilisation path, which the country had already embarked on, while laying the platform for rebooting growth.

World’s largest sapphire aggregate not sold yet, brought to Dubai from Switzerland

The world’s largest single natural blue star sapphire cluster has not been sold as yet, and the cluster is being moved to Dubai from Switzerland, National Gem and Jewellery Authority Chairman Viraj de Silva said.

Indonesia: Java quake kills 162 and injures hundreds

An earthquake on the main Indonesian island of Java has killed at least 162 people and injured hundreds, regional governor Ridwan Kamil has said.

Number of road accidents must reduce: Minister

While commemorating International Victims Day today, Transport State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said the number of road accidents must be reduced to commemorate the day next year.

Mrs. Grand International 2022 alleges she was asked for sexual bribes

Magen Ratata Organization President Sanjaya Mahawatte claimed that the Sri Lanka representative for Mrs. Grand International 2022, Chamika Withanawasam, had allegedly been asked for sexual bribes.

Woman arrested over alleged human trafficking racket was a translator: Court grants bail

It was revealed before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that a woman arrested in connection with the investigations into alleged human trafficking to Dubai and Oman was a translator attached to a foreign employment agency.

No plans to remove QR code for fuel: Minister

There’s no plans to remove Fuel Management QR code system from next month as stated by certain media and social media, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted.

Many teachers break the rule; Attend school wearing casual clothes

Several female teachers in many schools in the island have begun attending schools dressed in casual clothes instead of the mandatory saree dress code.

Proposal to remove ethnicity from birth certificate: Registrar General’s Dept.

According to the Registrar General’s Department, it was reported that a proposal has been tendered to remove the ’ethnicity’ from the birth certificate.

Update: 44 dead as Indonesia quake shakes Java island

A shallow 5.6-magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia’s main island Java on Monday, killing at least 44 people and injuring hundreds, local officials said, with buildings damaged and a landslide triggered.

At least 50,000 children suffer from malnutrition in Sri Lanka

A UNICEF report had indicated that at least 50,000 children suffer from malnutrition in Sri Lanka, Chairman, Professional Forum of Professionals on Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

SLFEB halts visit visas for untrained housemaids to Oman, UAE

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has temporarily halted the registration of women who acquire private visas for untrained and domestic employment in Oman and the UAE.

MetaHub' to solve teachers' issues related teaching Maths

The Education Ministry today launched its first-ever Mathematics Education Teacher Awareness Web Portal, ’’MetaHub,’’ to make it quick and easy to solve issues that the teachers face related to the subject of mathematics.

’’Go back to your seat’’ - Presiding member warns SJB MP who holds Satyagraha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dilip Wedaarachchi staged a satyagraha inside Parliament chambers today calling for immediate relief for fishermen.

Nine passenger liners with tourists scheduled to reach SL by March: Nimal Siripala

While expressing confidence that tourism sector is picking up, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today that nine passenger liners bringing in tourists is scheduled to reach Sri Lankan ports by March next year.

French travel agents are in SL to promote tourism here

Eighty French travel agents arrived in the country this morning to promote tourism in Sri Lanka.

Woman involved in human trafficking to Dubai, Oman surrenders

In the wake of the arrest of two suspects linked to the human trafficking to Dubai and Oman, a 49-year-old woman surrendered to the CID this morning for alleged involvement to the malicious racket.

Gammanpila’s travel ban temporarily suspended to attend religious function in India

The Colombo High Court today permitted Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila to travel abroad from November 23 to November 29.

Two sisters remanded for swindling Rs.120 mn from Norway-based Lankan

Two sisters in a same family who had defrauded Rs. 120 million from a Sri Lankan who is living in Norway were arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers in Jaffna.

Police Commission Chairman greets Basil at BIA: SJB asks Speaker to oust him

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today questioned the presence of Police Commission Chairman Chandra Fernando and member M. P. Perera at the airport to welcome former Minister Basil Rajapaksa, and wanted them sent out of the commission.