Lawyer Nuwan Bopage granted bail in Galle Face protest case

Attorney-at-Law Nuwan Bopage who became an active participant in the “GotaGoGama” protest was today ordered to be released on bail after being surrendered before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Railway Dept: 45 derailments this year alone!

With the derailment of Kandy- Colombo express train, the number of train derailments this year has reached 45.

Trafficking women to ME; matter to be discussed in cabinet

Trafficking of Sri Lankan women to the Middle East will be brought into the notice of cabinet, Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakshe told Parliament today.

No move to restructure domestic debt: State Minister

The Government has not made any decision to restructure domestic debt, as negotiations on treating external debt is still being discussed with external bilateral and commercial creditors, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said

China’s Xi confronts Canada’s Trudeau over media leaks

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in person over alleged leaks of their closed-door meeting at the G20 summit, a rare public display of annoyance by the Chinese leader.

South African President celebrates his birthday at BIA

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has celebrated his 70th Birthday at the Sri Lanka Air Force base, Katunayake last night during his short visit to the island.

Diana Gamage’s travel ban further extended till Dec.15

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today further extended its order directing the Controller-General of Immigration and Emigration to prevent State Minister Diana Gamage from leaving the country until December 15.

Danushka Gunathilaka granted bail on sexual assault charges

Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been granted bail on sexual assault charges after a court heard he had the support of the Sri Lankan cricket association and government and a surety of $150,000 was offered.

DMT revises motor vehicle fees from tomorrow

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has revised the motor traffic fees related to all services, including the first registration of a motor vehicle, with effect from tomorrow.

Tourist arrivals in November first half top 27,000

The tourist arrivals for the first 15 days of November stood at 27,213, making Sri Lanka inches away from crossing the 600,000 arrival mark for the year.

CB believes interest rates at peak levels after inflation turned a corner

The Central Bank believes that interest rates may have reached their highest levels after inflation peaked in September and showed a slight deceleration in October amid the ultra-tight monetary policy and higher taxes brought in to reduce demand in the economy.

RW Budget 2023 provides no relief to the people or to the economy: Dayasiri

The budget 2023 speech of the executive Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was the same old grandiloquence the people in Sri Lanka have heard over the last couple of decades with no relief at all to the people or to the economy, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) charged.

Stalin assures housing for Sri Lankan returnees

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin has promised 650 houses for Sri Lankan returnees affected by the transfer of the Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation (Tantea) to the Forest Department in Tamil Nadu.

Suspected human trafficking racket exposed

A suspected human trafficking racket has been exposed after a number of women stranded in Abu Dhabi in the UAE contacted a celebrity couple in Sri Lanka and appealed for help, Daily Mirror learns.

Raids on human traffickers, punish offenders irrespective of ranks

It has been decided to carry out raids to apprehend persons involved in human trafficking and smuggling throughout the country and to punish them irrespective of their ranks and files, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Banking cooperation launched between SL & Russia for tourists

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow initiated a banking cooperation between People’s Bank in Sri Lanka and National Investment Industrial Bank in Russia (NIIB) to devising a platform for Russian tourists to make payments in Sri Lanka seamlessly in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) with effect from November 22, 2022.

Alleged misappropriation estimated at Rs.1.3 billion

The CID conducting investigations into a massive financial fraud relating to Thilini Priyamali today informed the court that the ongoing investigations have revealed Thilini Priyamali had allegedly misappropriated more than 1.3 billion rupees of funds invested in her companies.

Passport fee up from tomorrow

The Emigration and Immigration Department has increased the levy for issuing passports and foreign travel documents from tomorrow

CESS levy imposed over 600 items amended from Nov.15

The government has change the rate of the CESS levy imposed on over 600 items with effect from yesterday (15).

Hearing impaired can get light vehicle driving licence

The Transport and Highways Ministry today launched their pilot program to issue light vehicle driving licenses for the hearing impaired in the Gampaha district.

IGP tenders unconditional regret to Supreme Court

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana Wickremaratne and four other police officers today tendered their unconditional regret to the Supreme Court for their failure to adhere with a Supreme Court’s order.

Budget more like concept paper: Anura Priyadarshana

The budget presented by Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was similar to a concept paper than a budget as the government has failed to explain the gravity of the economic crisis, Parliamentarian Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said today.

Thilini Priyamali and others further remanded till November 30

Several suspects including owner of Thico Group Private Ltd Thilini Priyamali, Ven. Borelle Sirisumana Thera and businesswoman Janaki Siriwardena further remanded till November 30 by Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court for alleged financial fraud incidents.

Tusker donated by Thailand shifted to Dehiwala Zoo due harassment

The Tusker Muthuraja, which was a gift by the government of Thailand to Sri Lanka, was ordered to be handed over to the Dehiwala Zoological Garden due to ill treatment meted out on the animal by the mahout in charge.

NASA’s next-generation Artemis rocket lifts off on test flight to moon

NASA’s towering next-generation moon rocket blasted off from Florida early on Wednesday on its debut flight, a crewless voyage inaugurating the U.S. space agency’s Artemis exploration program 50 years after the final Apollo moon mission.

It’s too late for SL to seek IMF assistance: Champika

The National Council Sub Committee on Economic Stability has determined that Sri Lanka has been too late to seek IMF assistance.

CEB doesn’t follow PUCSL instructions to provide relief: Sobitha Thera

Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera said yesterday that the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) does not follow the instructions given by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) for providing relief on the electricity bills to places of worship.

Entire second shipment of urea to be supplied for paddy cultivation: Ministry

The Agriculture Ministry has decided to release the entire shipload of urea fertilizer required for paddy cultivation this season starting today through all Agrarian Service Centers.

Abduction case against Hirunika fixed for trial in January

The case against Colombo district former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra for her alleged involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender was today fixed for trial by Colombo High Court.

School Principal and two cops granted bail in alleged torture case

A school Principal and two policemen held in remand custody for allegedly torturing several Grade Five students at Millaniya Primary School in Horana were today granted bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.