Trains on coastal belt delayed due to signal failure

The train services along the coastal belt were delayed as a result of signal failure in Kalutara this morning, the Railway Control Room said.

Five year no pay leave won’t apply for teachers, health sector etc: official

The government circular that provides for five-year no pay leave for public servants will not apply for categories such as school teachers, health sector employees and technical services, an official said .

Govt. to review suspended imports list every fortnight

The government is reviewing the suspended imports list every fortnight to lessen the impact on industries, a Cabinet Minister said.

Qatar Airways Group to recruit significant number of staff from Sri Lanka

Qatar Airways Group is looking to onboard a significant number of new employees from Sri Lanka to support its global operations....

Decline in employment as firms cut staff, impose hiring freezes

Sri Lanka’s manufacturing and services sectors are already seeing widespread layoffs, non-renewal of employment contracts....

Govt. to gradually curtail rice imports

The government plans to gradually curtail rice imports following a modest harvest expected in the Yala season. “We expect a.....

​Controversial Social Security Contribution levy comes into effect  

The controversial Social Security Contribution (SSC) levy came into effect this week with 2.5 percent slapped on turnover on a wider .....

SL initiates debt restructuring talks with China, Japan and India

Sri Lanka has initiated debt-restructuring negotiations with the country’s main bilateral creditors which include Japan, China and India, according.....

LOLC’s Group’s Browns Investments eyes coal supply deal to Norochcholai

Browns Investments, a unit of LOLC Group, expects to enter into a negotiations with the Sri Lankan authorities to secure an unsolicited bid to supply coal to Norochcholai power plant after the party who was awarded the contract to supply coal backing out.

Litro to take legal action against those making allegations on WB funds

While denying rumours that Litro Gas Lanka Limited had misused the World Bank funds allocated for gas supply, the LITRO Chairman, Muditha Pieris said they would take legal action against those who made these baseless allegations.

Wimal Weerawansa ordered to appear in court with MC

Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratna Marasinghe today noticed former Minister Wimal Weerawansa to appear before the Court on October 26 with a Medical Certificate issued by a medical practitioner.

Ranil’s exit will be more fearsome than Gota’s: Hirunika

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s exit from office will be more fearsome than former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s, former MP and Samagi Wanitha Balawegaya Head Hirunika Premachnadra said today.

30% hotels, canteens, restaurants, food carts, 50% of school canteens closed: AICOA

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) Chief Asela Sampath today said that 30 percent of the hotels, canteens, and 50 percent of school canteens have closed due to the price increase of essential commodities and the price increase of chicken and eggs in the local market.

Hotline to inquire on obtaining licenses for electric vehicles

The Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry said hotline numbers were introduced for obtaining information and details relating to obtaining electric vehicle import permits.

Rights Groups urge strong UN resolution on Sri Lanka

The United Nations Human Rights Council should adopt a strong resolution on Sri Lanka that strengthens current UN mandates on accountability for crimes under international law and monitors the country’s deteriorating human rights situation, four international human rights organizations said in a letter to council member states published today.

Authorities linked to health sector responsible for medicine scarcity: GMOA

The hospital health system, Health Ministry, Central Medical Store, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC), and National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) should be held responsible for the medicine shortage prevailing in the country, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

China firmly supports Sri Lanka at the 51st UNHRC session

On 12th September, Ambassador Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the UN Office at Geneva, openly spoke for Sri Lanka and opposed external interference during the Interactive Dialogue on the island nation at the 51st Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Alleged contemptuous statement by Sanath Nishantha: Order regarding issuance of summons fixed for Sept.29

The Court of Appeal today fixed for September 29 to announce whether it issues summons against State Minister Sanath Nishantha in connection with two contempt of court cases.

Lazard in talks with China, India, Japan on Sri Lanka debt

Financial advisory group Lazard has started talks with India, China and Japan on restructuring Sri Lanka’s debt, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka government said on Tuesday (Sep 13), as the crisis-hit island nation seeks an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

Gen Shavendra Silva’s father passes away

L. H Creasy Silva, former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) and father of Chief of Defence Staff and former Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, has passed away at the age of 93 this morning.

New location for Aragalaya: Presidential advisor

A new location which is in line with the developing world will be provided for the youth to get on with their protest activities, Presidential advisor Sagala Ratnayake said today.

Committee to make recommendations on essential recruitment to public service

Cabinet approval has been granted to appoint a committee headed by the Secretary to the Prime Minister to make recommendations on essential recruitment to public service and to resolve issues within.

Green light to appoint Cabinet sub-committee on economic revival and development

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal made by President Ranil Wickeremesinghe to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee on economic revival and development to take expeditious decisions.

Govt. declare next Monday holiday and mourning day

The government to declare a special public holiday for government institutions on September 19 on account of the royal funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

CB independence doesn’t mean lack of accountability: Harsha

As calls are growing for the independence of Sri Lanka’s Central Bank, which was also clearly laid out in the staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there are growing concerns among certain sections whether total independence would mean lack of accountability for the actions the monetary authority takes to maintain price stability.

Tourist arrivals cross half a million mark

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka for the first eleven days of September have crossed the 10,000 mark, indicating a slow but steady increase in the number of visitors entering the country.

SL ranks 73 out of 191 countries in latest Human Development Index

Sri Lanka scored 0.782 points in the latest Human Development Index (HDI), ra​n​king 73 out of 191 countries.

Second school term for year 2022 begins today

The second term of schools under the government and government-approved private schools for the year 2022 will begin today (13), the Education Ministry said.

Teenager who stole a bus to go to see his girlfriend arrested

A 15-year-old youth, who had stolen a bus parked from the Piliyandala bus stand and gone to visit his girlfriend, was arrested three hours later, the Piliyandala police said.

No plan to remove PM: Chief Govt Whip

Chief Government Whip Minister Prasanna Ranatunga ruled out any plan to change premiership.