Govt. says 58% of households seeking financial assistance under various social welfare schemes

While making the case for tax hikes, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya revealed that nearly 4 million families, which make up nearly 58 percent of the country’s households are seeking financial assistance from the government under various social welfare schemes to survive from the on-going economic crisis.

Elon Musk completes $44bn Twitter takeover

Elon Musk has completed his $44bn (£38.1bn) takeover of Twitter, according to an investor in the firm.

Ranjan turned away from Katunayake Airport

Former Minister Ranjan Ramanayake, who arrived at the Katunayake international airport last night, was not allowed to leave the country and turned away by the Immigration and Emigration officials, a Department spokesman said.

SL to draft new law in compliance with Singapore Convention on Mediation

The Cabinet nod has been granted to draft a bill in compliance with the Singapore Convention on Mediation, formally the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation.

Gazette notification stipulating regulations pertaining to Port City to be issued soon

The Gazette notification stipulating the laws and regulation pertaining to the Colombo Port City Development Project will be issued in a couple of days, the Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugma said during a site visit to the Port City yesterday.

36 shot dead among 435 murders

An alarming number of 435 murders have been reported in various parts of the country until September this year with 36 persons losing their lives to shooting incidents, police revealed today.

BB asks banks not to transact with Sri Lanka through ACU mechanism

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has asked banks not to do transactions with Sri Lanka through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) mechanism.

Increase in rape cases

Nearly 1,500 rapes including statutory rapes and rape of children have been reported to the Sri Lanka Police within the first nine months of this year which is an increase of rapes when compared to the first nine month of last year.

My son is not involved, he didn’t leave Colombo during the last ten days: Amaraweera

Wild Life Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today denied social media reports that his son was among the members who drove their vehicles in a reckless manner inside the Yala National Park a few days ago.

Appoint PSC to probe Sumanthiran’s statement on SC: Wijeyadasa tells Speaker

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane to appoint a Parliament Select Committee (PSC) to probe and recommend appropriate action on the statement made by TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran regarding the Supreme Court determination on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

Netherlands to provide newly developed variety of potato seeds to SL

The Netherlands has offered Sri Lanka a newly developed variety of potato seeds that can grow in salty lands, to start potato cultivations in areas close to sea, especially in the north and east in the country, the prime Minister office said.

Zimbabwe stun Pakistan by one run at T20 World Cup

Zimbabwe pulled off a stunning one-run win over Pakistan on Thursday to put the Asian giants in danger of an early exit from the Twenty20 World Cup.

New fraud hits Sri Lankans by storm, over 8,000 people lose billions

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has launched an investigation into a new financial fraud which so far has involved Rs.14 billion with 8,000 people being victims in a fake crypto currency scheme.

I do not want to get on the elephant although I support the President - Prasanna

Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ratnatunga today said he does not intend to leave the SLPP and join the UNP although he supports President Ranil Wickremesinghe at this moment.

Govt. to bring regulations to control Mycotoxin

The Minister of Health today gave an undertaking to Court of Appeal to bring comprehensive regulation to control Mycotoxins (Aflatoxin is one type of Mycotoxin) c, considering the specific levels for each food categories in separate.

Thieves fail to rob, instead eat and fall asleep

Two thieves who entered a house in Maullai in Wadukkodai at the dead of night when the owners were away, had instead of carrying out the robbery, prepared a sumptuous meal and fallen fast asleep while watching TV.

Heavy traffic alert

Heavy traffic reported at Ibbanwala Junction and the Town Hall area, Colombo due to a protest march.

Even nuns watch porn, Pope says, warning of risks

(BBC); Pope Francis has warned priests and nuns about the dangers of watching pornography online, saying it ’’weakens the priestly heart’’.

Gazette notification stipulating regulations pertaining to Port City to be issued soon

The Gazette notification stipulating the laws and regulation pertaining to the Colombo Port City Development Project will be issued in a couple of days, the Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amunugma said.

India to witness highest salary hike in 2023; Sri Lanka among lowest in the World

At a time rising inflation is set to put a major dent in salary increases for the second year running in 2023, India is set to see the highest rise in real salaries in the world.

Dealers show reluctance in stocking gas cylinders in fear of price revision: LITRO Chairman

With the announcement to be made on price revision on cooking gas, some dealers and stockists show reluctance to buy and stock cylinders from the company and started spreading rumours saying that there would be no gas distribution during the months ahead, until fresh cargo of gas reaches the ports, LITRO Lanka Chairman Muditha Peiris said.

Court calls for investigation report against Diana Gamage on passport issue

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued an order directing the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to submit a report regarding the investigations against State Minister Diana Gamage over a complaint that she had obtained a Sri Lankan passport after furnishing false information to the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration.

TRC goes to Technology Ministry

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) which was under the purview of the Defence Ministry has been brought under the purview of the Ministry of Technology.

2023 Budget on Nov.14

A decision has been taken at a party leaders’ meeting to present the 2023 Budget to Parliament on November 14, parliament sources told Daily Mirror a short while ago.

12-hour water cut in Colombo - Water Board

Water supply will be interrupted for 12 hours from tomorrow (28) at 10 p.m until 10 a.m on Saturday (29) in Colombo due to an essential renovation project of the Greater Colombo Water and Wastewater Management Improvement Investment Program, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Stop mothers who have children under five years from leaving for foreign jobs: Geetha

The government’s decision to grant permission for mothers with children more than two years of age to leave the country for foreign employment should be amended to a maximum of five years, Women and Child Affairs State Minister Geetha Kumarasinghe said.

October 1-24 tourist arrivals top 31,000

The tourist arrivals for the first 24 days of October have reached 31,828, bringing the total number of international visitors to the country....

President appoints committee to ensure availability of essential items

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a high-powered committee, led by the secretary to president, to monitor the possible disruptions in the supply of essential goods and to make swift actions to rectify such disruptions.

Currency depreciations risk intensifying global food, energy crisis: World Bank

The shrinking value of the currencies of most developing economies is driving up food and fuel prices in ways that could deepen....

SL to enter into a bilateral aviation pact with Netherlands to start direct flights

In a potential boost to tourism, trade and investments, the Cabinet green light has been granted to enter into a bilateral aviation pact with the Netherlands, potentially leading to initiating direct flights between the two countries.