SL ready to enter into free trade agreement with Singapore: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said Sri Lanka is ready to enter into a free trade agreement ( FTA) with Singapore, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SLPP PS member arrested over attempted robbery in Thambuttegama

A Pradeshiya Sabha member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been arrested in connection with the attempted robbery of Rs. 22.3 million near a bank in Thambuttegama.

Japan ready to play a leading role with creditors to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt – Japanese FM

President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi this morning in Tokyo.

Further extension in power cuts inevitable: PUCSL

The third Coal power plant in Nuraichcholai has been shut down due to a technical fault and as a result, power cuts may have to be extended, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Sajith says Prez does more atrocious things than Gota

It is interesting to witness today that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has resorted to doing what Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not as President, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Man who demanded ransom from GR’ s wife Ayoma Rajapaksa arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a person for allegedly threatening Ayoma Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and demanding a ransom of Rs. 1 million.

Hair and beauty industry badly hit by import ban on wide range of cosmetic products

The hair and beauty industry of Sri Lanka is fast losing viability with limited access to hair and cosmetic products, due to the temporary ban on cosmetic products imposed by the government.

Inflation nightmare could stay through 2023 even if things turn out as planned

Sri Lankans could be in for a long drawn-out path out of the economic misery that they have dug themselves into, as the prevailing cost of living crisis could grind on for years with inflation staying higher than the pre-crisis level, even after a year from now, that also if things turn out according to the forecasters’ expectations.

Legality of President’s Order declaring HSZ challenged in Supreme Court

A youth organization affiliated to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an interim order suspending the operation of the order issued by President declaring High Security Zones in Colombo district.

SL’s FitsAir announces commencement of international passenger operations

Sri Lanka’s aviation space will see a new cost-effective addition in the coming weeks, as a new local brand is gearing up to fly the skies, becoming the first privately-owned airline in Sri Lanka to operate international passenger flights.

SJB says Official Secrets Act does not prevent people from travelling on roads

The Official Secrets Act of 1955 does not provide to prevent anyone from travelling along roads where important state buildings are located and thus declare these areas as high security zones, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Gayantha Karunatilaka said today.

Sri Lanka to purchase oil from Iran on government to government deal

Sri Lanka is to purchase crude oil from Iran on a government to government deal, a Minister said today.

HRCSL deeply concerned about Govt. declaring HSZs violating fundamental rights of people

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is deeply concerned about the government’s approach to adopt the Official Secrets Act and declare high security zones, which grossly violates the fundamental rights of the people of the country.

Two men nabbed when attempting to rob Rs. 22.3 million

Two robbers who attempted to snatch Rs. 22.3 million from a man who came to deposit the money in a bank were arrested by the Thambuttegama police this evening.

Declaring HSZ not acceptable, may cause another uprising against govt. - Maithri

Declaring several areas as high-security zones (HSZ) in Colombo is certainly not advisable, as it may pave the way for another uprising of the people as they are more stressed - physically and mentally, former President and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Maithripala Sirisena said.

Mother arrested for selling her seven-day old infant for Rs. 50,000

A young mother who sold her seven-day old infant child for Rs. 50,000 was arrested together with the husband of a nurse who facilitated the deal in a government hospital in Anuradhapura last evening.

CPC to take legal action against PUCSL Chairman: Minister

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will respond legally to Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Chairman Janaka Ratnayake against the accusations on the quality of Crude Oil, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Deadly gun attack at Russian school

A gunman has opened fire at a school in central Russia, killing at least six people and injuring twenty, Russian officials say.

Student organizes beer party in class room for her boyfriend

A female student in a leading school in the Chilaw education zone is alleged to have organized a party to celebrate the birthday of a male student with whom she is in love.

Want to protest? Get Police approval 6 hours prior: Acting Def. Minister

Police should be notified and approval must be obtained from local Police six hours before holding a protest, Acting Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said today.

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez gets interim bail in Rs 200 crore extortion case

Jacqueline Fernandez was granted interim bail on Monday in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case against conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Delhi’s Patiala House Court granted interim bail to the actor subject to a bond of Rs 50,000.

Supreme Court discharges Ranil from Easter Sunday attacks petitions

The Supreme Court today decided not to proceed legal action against President Ranil Wickremesinghe in respect of several Fundamental Rights petitions filed over Easter Sunday attacks, owing to the presidential immunity.

CPC fixed dealers’ commission based on fuel issues under QR code

Considering the limited distribution of petroleum products, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) board of directors has decided to fix the dealers’ commission for Dealer-owned Dealer-operated (DODO) and Company-owned Dealer- Operated (CODO) dealer- based on the issuing of fuel under the QR code for two months.

Early LG polls after incorporating youth list into electoral register : Punchihewa

The Election Commission (EC) will not delay conducting Local Government polls on the pretext of introducing electoral reforms and expects to announce the dates for the LG polls in November after incorporating the ‘Youth List’ into the 2022 electoral register, chairman, S.G.Punchihewa said.

State Tourism Minister to revive night economy

In a measure to revive the night economy in Sri Lanka, State Tourism Minister Diana Gamage ceremonially inaugurated the ‘Fairway....

President leaves for Japan and Philippines

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island early this morning on an official tour to Japan & Philippines, the President’s Media Division said.

IMF bailout at least 3-4 months away as assurances from bilateral creditors essential

Any fund disbursements from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to crisis-hit Sri Lanka could be at least 3-4 months away from now....

Bosses think workers do less from home: Microsoft survey

A major new survey from Microsoft shows that bosses and workers fundamentally disagree about productivity when working from home.

US$ 41,000 required on daily basis to settle Lotus Tower debt: Patali

A daily revenue of US$ 41,000 has to be earned from the Lotus Tower, if Sri Lanka is to settle the loans obtained to construct it, MP Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

India exceptional in helping neighbourhood including SL

While claiming that the international community must rise above narrow national agenda, India said that, for its part, is taking exceptional measures at exceptional times to help its neighbourhood including Sri Lanka.