US will continue to support Sri Lanka - Under Secretary Nuland

The United States will continue to support Sri Lanka through its economic crisis, US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland has assured.

Seven including gangster ’Parippuwa’s’’ sibling arrested in Dematagoda

Seven suspects including the brother of organized criminal Kolonnawa Lakmal alias ’ Parippuwa’ have been arrested by the STF over assault on individual and several other crimes during a raid in Dematagoda.

New Zealand changes to its passport requirement

Immigration New Zealand has temporarily removed the requirement for most applicants to provide a physical passport, the New Zealand High Commissioner in Colombo said.

Pfizer vaccines to expire on Oct. 31, so will RAT kits: GMOA

The three-month extension of the expiry date of the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines will be due on October 31, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Cabinet not notified of IMF staff level agreement: Speaker confirms

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana today informed Parliament that the cabinet of ministers have not been briefed about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff level agreement and that he will brief the cabinet, the opposition and the House once the additions and amendments are added to it.

I did not refer to prostitution, night life goes beyond prostitution: Diana

Taking on critics on her recent remarks on introducing night life activities, State Minister Diana Gamage told Parliament yesterday that when she spoke about night life she was not referring to prostitution.

Peradeniya Uni Art Faculty lectures limited to online following ragging

The Arts Faculty of the University of Peradeniya has been closed and lectures are being conducted online following the recent clash among students, a university official said.

After EU, Saudi Arabia raises red flag over cancerous fungicide presence in basmati rice

Following reports of European countries testing premium variety basmati rice imported from India with traces of cancer causing fungicide tricyclazole, Saudi Arabia has also asked exporters to cut use of fungicide.

Petroleum Products Bill inconsistent with Constitution: SC informs Speaker

The Supreme Court informed speaker that Petroleum Products Special Provisions Amendment Bill is inconsistent as a whole with the article 12(1) of the Constitution, Speaker announced a shortwhile ago.

I will continue to fight for my father: Ahimsa Wickrematunge

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, says she will continue to fight for her father.

US organization ’Americares’ donates US$ 773,000 worth medicines to SL

Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization donated more than US$ 773,000 worth of urgently needed medicines and medical supplies to Sri Lanka, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the US said.

National inflation breaches 70% in August

The national index of consumer prices for August notched above 70 percent, as the sharp electricity tariff revision, which came into effect from the start of the month, hit the consumer wallets hard on top of the soaring food prices.

Body of missing Peradeniya undergrad found in Mahaweli River

The body of the fourth year Arts faculty student at the Peradeniya university, who had gone missing since the September 16, was found in the Mahaweli River in Gatambe area, police said.

Currency float sends rupee value of foreign debt swelling

The Sri Lankan rupee, which shed nearly 80 percent of its value, has sent the rupee value of the foreign currency-denominated debt of the government spiralling by significant proportions, even with no fresh borrowings, as the rupee weakness is sending ripple effects across markets.

SL to officially present IMF deal, debt restructuring plans to creditors tomorrow

Sri Lanka will present its programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to its official and private creditors tomorrow for the first time, seeking debt relief, as the US $ 81 billion crisis-hit economy seeks to turnaround its fortunes.

Consensus from both sides of aisle to end subsidies on electricity, other public services

As religious leaders, led by Buddhist monks, took to streets this week and intensified their agitation against the recent electricity tariff hike,

Reports on toxic Thriposha false: Keheliya

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella today refuted reports that toxic Thriposha stock was being distributed.

PUCSL denies request for 2-hr 20-min power outage from tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today denied approval for the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) request for longer power cuts from tomorrow, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

President agrees to reduce tax on sanitary pads: Geetha

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has agreed to reduce tax on sanitary pads and the gazette notification in that regard would be published soon, State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe said today.

Exam. Dept certificates not compulsory for university admission

The certificates issued by the Examinations Department under the one-day service programme are not compulsory for submitting applications to the University Grant Commission (UGC), Examinations Department Commissioner general L.M.D Dharmasena said.

92 out of 383 essential drugs in short supply: Keheliya

While admitting that there was a shortage in 92 out of 383 essential drugs, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today the 14 vital drugs were in stock. He told Parliament that however these 14 vital drugs were not in stocks at Medical Supply Division, but were available in the periphery.

SL receives USD15Mn worth consignment of rice from Australia

The first consignment from an Australian donation totaling AUD22 million (approximately USD15 million) has arrived in Sri Lanka and will soon be distributed to those most affected by the ongoing economic crisis.

MPs right to speak suppressed: GL

Not only in the country, but the government had also taken actions to suppress expressing opinions even in the parliament, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National List MP G. L. Peiris said.

High Court begins trial of corruption charges against former Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith

The Colombo High Court today commenced recording evidence from the prosecution witnesses in a corruption case filed against two accused including former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon.

Parliament heated up over IMF staff level agreement

Arguments flared up in Parliament over the request made by Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella who wanted the details of the staff level agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) tabled in the House.

Only three officials join President’s delegation to UK

Three officials, including the President’s doctor, joined the official delegation along with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the funeral ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II held at Westminster Abbey in Britain, the President’s Media Division (PMD) clarified.

Education Ministry seeks support from Gates Foundation

While highlighting Sri Lanka enjoys a free education policy from grade one to university level, the Education Ministry sought the support of the representatives of the Gates Foundation to increase the technical capacity of selected public schools by replacing the traditional blackboards with smart boards.

Malaysia to hire 10,000 Sri Lankan workers

The Malaysian Cabinet has agreed to bring in 10,000 migrant workers from Sri Lanka, says Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M.Saravanan.

Teasing and attempted robbery cost four lives

Four persons including a 16-year-old boy had died in three separate homicides reported in Galgamuwa, Gampaha and Mutur last night.

Economy should be strengthened through industrial sector: Industry Minister

While bringing the country’s export economy to its maximum level, the government is paying more attention to the industrial sector by reducing imports and increasing import substitution production.