Govt. to provide nutritious meal for 1,080,000 schoolchildren prior to schools re-open: President

Measures have been taken to provide a balanced meal at the expense of the government and as an initial step, a nutritious meal for 1,080,000 schoolchildren prior to the reopening of schools, is already in progress, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

If 10 liters or more fuel allowed, tuk tuk fares would be lowered from this week: Assn.

If the Power and Energy Ministry allows another ten more litres of fuel for three-wheelers, three wheeler fares would be brought down, All Island three-wheeler Drivers’ and Owners’ Association President Sudhil Jayaruk said.

Resultant of new tax; prices of bakery products could go up: Assn.

Prices of bakery products may go up again after the Social Security Contribution Tax comes to force today, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said.

2.5% Social Security Contribution Tax from today

The Social Security Contribution Tax will come into force from today on importers, manufacturers, service providers, wholesalers, and retailers whose total turnover exceeds Rs. 120 million per annum.

India’s RSS chief says only India helped Sri Lanka

Addressing a programme organized by Bharat Vikas Manch, an organization associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), chief Mohan Bhagwat said that it was only India that helped Sri Lanka and Maldives when these countries were in distress while other countries were interested in finding business opportunities, the Indian media reported .

President returns after visits to Japan, Philippines

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his delegation arrived at Katunayake Airport last night (September 30) after winding up their official visits to Japan and the Philippines, the duty officer in charge of the airport said.

Demand for beer likely to go up as it becomes affordable option compared to spirits: Fitch

Sri Lanka is expected to witness an increase in demand for beer going forward, as the high cost of living coupled with soaring inflation makes it a more affordable option, Fitch Ratings said.

Negative portrayal of Sri Lanka hits tourism sector hard: Tour operators

The exaggerated negative portrayal of the current situation in Sri Lanka is taxing the hard-hit tourism sector, making it increasingly difficult to move towards the path of revival.

Colombo inflation flirts with 70% in Sept. as prices surge

Inflation in capital Colombo, as measured by the year-on-year (YoY) change in the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI), rose to 69.8 percent in September, from 64.3 percent in August, as the crisis-struck nation continues to battle with exorbitant prices.

Sri Lanka Legends win by 14 runs; to play final against IND-L

Sri Lanka Legends beat West Indies Legends by 14 runs in the semi-finals of the Road Safety World Series. Ishan Jayaratne and Nuwan Kulasekara starred as Sri Lanka Legends moved to the finals.

No force behind appointing MR as PM: Welgama

There is no force behind appointing former premier Mahinda Rajapaksa again. The Rajapaksa tide has already died down, Kalutara district Samagi Jana Bala (SJB) MP Kumara Welgama said.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka files petition against High Security Zone gazette  

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and a senior lawyer today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order suspending the operation of the gazette notification issued by the President, declaring High Security Zones in Colombo city.

2hr 20 minutes power cut approved for Saturday, Sunday

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved two hour and 20 minutes power cut for tomorrow (1) and day after (2).

School land acquisition to Upper Kothmale Hydro Power Project: SC orders CEB to construct auditorium for school

The Supreme Court today ordered the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to construct an auditorium for Thalawakele Tamil Maha Vidyalaya for its failure to build a new Auditorium as agreed in lieu of land acquisition to the Upper Kothmale Hydro Power Project.

Modernized BIA will be available by end 2024: Minister

Development of aviation infrastructure facilities of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) are progressing well even amidst the economic crisis and that the enhanced facilities would be available for use by the end of 2024, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

CMC opposes Lotus Tower musical show named ‘Hellfire’

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) allowed the Hellfire Music Festival to go ahead at Lotus Tower today with the new name “ Fire’ the Colombo Municipal council (CMC) said today.

Political tsunami likely by end October to wipe off corrupt politicians: Hirunika

A political tsunami will be highly likely by the end of October this year in which all corrupt politicians will be wiped off, former MP and Head of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya Hirunika Premachandra said today.

SL to receive another consignment of medical aid worth USD 2.74Mn from USA

Another consignment of medical aid worth USD 2.74 million donated by Hope Worldwide, an American humanitarian donor organization, and is due in Sri Lanka in the first week of October, the Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States said.

Maithripala files writ petition against magisterial inquiry relating Easter Sunday attacks

Former President Maithripala Sirisena today filed a writ petition in Court of Appeal challenging the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attack incidents.

President proposes ADB to establish International University on Climate Change in SL

President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed to establish an International University on Climate Change in Sri Lanka with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in order to enable students from any country in the world to engage in educational activities.

Prize money announced for T20 World Cup 2022

The ICC announced that the winning side at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Melbourne on November 13 would receive prize money of $1.6 million, with the runners-up guaranteed half the amount.

Prices of popular brands of vehicles decline, ideal time to buy vehicles: Vehicle Importers

With the decrease in demand, fuel shortages and increase in leasing interests, the prices of several popular brands of vehicle in the market have decreased. Therefore, this is the appropriate time to buy vehicles, Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) President Indika Sampath Merinchige said.

At least 23 dead after suicide bomb blast at educational center in Kabul

A suicide bomb attack on an education center in Kabul has killed at least 23 people, most of whom are believed to be young women, in the latest sign of the deteriorating security situation in the Afghan capital.

Japan set to do its part over Sri Lanka debt woes:Japanese Finance Minister

Japan is prepared to ’’do its part’’ over Sri Lanka’s debt issue, but other creditors, such as China and India, should also be involved in efforts to resolve it, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Thursday.

Suspect wanted over thefts, murder shot dead by police

A suspect wanted by the police over widespread robberies and chain- snatching was shot dead by police when he tried to attack an OIC of Police last night at Maduruvita in Gampaha.

Privately-owned renewable energy industry facing total collapse

Amid ill-slighted policy decisions, Sri Lanka’s privately-owned renewable energy Industry is seeing a total collapse within the next few months, as it is set to face increased losses from state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), clearing the way for another electricity tariff hike.

Showers forecast in southwest regions

Showery conditions are expected to intensify to some extent in the south-western part of the country today and in the next few days, the Metrology Department said.

Special intercity express train to Kandy every weekend from tomorrow

A special luxury intercity express train will run between Colombo Fort and Kandy every weekend from tomorrow (Oct. 1), Transport and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

Demand for alcohol to weaken amid economic contraction, roaring inflation: Fitch

Fitch Ratings expects demand for spirits to weaken in the coming months amid the projected contraction in the Sri Lankan economy in the next 12 months, unprecedented inflation and the erosion of purchasing power of consumers due to deterioration in the local exchange rate.

SL ranks 85th in 2022 edition of Global Innovation Index

Sri Lanka has been successful in jumping up the ranking on the 2022 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII), securing the 85th position in the world ranking and fifth in the regional ranking.