No six-month validity period for birth, marriage, death certificates: Registrar General's Dept

The Registrar General’s Department advised the Education Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Immigration and Emigration Department and the Department of Registration of Persons to refrain from considering the validity period of birth, marriage and death certificates issued by the Registrar General’s Department.

Agriculture Ministry ready to lift ban on glyphosate: Amaraweera

The Agriculture Ministry is ready to relax the ban on glyphosate herbicide that is currently in effect in Sri Lanka, Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Skinny children portray hike in childhood malnutrition: Pediatrician

The rise in COVID-19 virus, current economic crisis and lack of awareness about nutrition, the country is witnessing a greater change in nutritional status among children who are lesser than five-years-old and an increase in malnutrition, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Sri Lanka donates tea to Pakistan flood victims

Sri Lanka donated a consignment of Ceylon tea to the flood victims in Pakistan following devastating flash floods in the recent weeks.

Prepared to face the challenge of gunmen: DIG Ajith Rohana

Senior DIG, Southern Province Ajith Rohana said 13 murders had been reported from the Southern Province for June 1 to date and that he was prepared to face the challenge of gunmen.

Sri Lanka explores US $ 6 billion fuel credit line from Saudi Arabia

Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, in his capacity of the president’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, has initiated discussions with the Saudi government last week seeking for a five year credit line of US $ 6 billion for the supply of fuel on a government to government basis, as a long-term solution to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis, Daily Mirror learns.

No-pay leave up to 5 years for govt. officers

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to provide no-pay leave for pension-owning government officials up to a maximum of five years based on a recommendation by a committee of senior officers.

WFP fears that situation may get worse in the weeks to come

While claiming that millions of the poorest Sri Lankans can no longer afford an adequate diet, a top official of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) expressed fear that the “situation may get worse in the weeks to come.”

Proposed National Council to be finalised next week: Prez

Highlighting that a ‘Devani Aragalaya’ (A second struggle) will be launched for a systems change shortly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the parties will finalise an agreement on the proposed National Council.

Asia Cup: Rajapaksa, Shanaka guide SL to six-wicket win over IND

Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka held nerves to guide Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win against India in the Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai.

Sri Lanka at critical juncture: UN report urges progress on accountability, institutional and security sector reforms

Sri Lanka’s new Government should embark on a national dialogue to advance human rights and reconciliation, a UN report urges today, calling for accountability and deeper institutional reforms to prevent a recurrence of past violations.

If we don’t get 70% salary increase, will resort to trade union action immediately: Estate Staffs’ Union

The Ceylon Estate Staffs’ Union (CESU) today said that they would resort to a massive trade union action immediately if they did not receive a 70% salary increase to their minimum salary.

Myanmar donates 1000 tonnes of rice to Sri Lanka

Myanmar donated 1000 tonnes of Myanmar White Rice worth Rs. 170 Million (approximately US$ 463,215) to Sri Lanka on September 2, 2022, a statement from the Foreign Ministry said.

Constitutionality of Petroleum Products Bill challenged in Supreme Court

Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya today filed a Special Determination petition in Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill, which was placed on the order paper of Parliament on last Wednesday (31).

First school term ends tomorrow; Second term starts on Tuesday

The due date of the first school term for the year 2022 will end tomorrow, the Education Ministry announced today.

Mahindananda passes the buck to AG over Chinese fertilizer issue

Claiming that there had been no malpractice in connection with the import of Chinese organic fertilizer shipment, former minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said today everything connected to the import had been done in accordance with the instructions of the Attorney General.

Committee appointed over removal of scrap material from govt. institutions

A committee has been appointed to supervise and implement the entire process of the disposal of scrap metal accumulated in the public sector institutions, as per the budget proposal of the interim budget.

Rajapaksas & friends thought they owned this country - CBK slams

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today slammed the Rajapaksas saying that the actions taken by the Rajapaksa regimes had led to the serious crisis situation in the country.

President congratulates Britain’s new PM

President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated Britain’s new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, who was elected as the leader of the Conservative Party and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Social Security Contribution Levy will increase VAT to 20%: AKD

The proposed Social Security Contribution Levy would further burden the people as it would result in further increase of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 20%, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Social Security Contribution Bill postponed after heated argument in Parliament

Parliament today decided to postpone the enactment of the proposed Social Security Contribution Bill after heated argument between the ruling and the opposition party members.

Canada relaxes travel advisory on Sri Lanka

Canada this week became the latest country to relax its travel advisory against visiting Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Canadian government updated the travel advice, moving Sri Lanka from the ‘orange’ list to the ‘yellow’ list.

Cabinet not informed of IMF staff level agreement: Susil

The staff level agreement which was signed with the International Monetary (Fund) has not been presented to the Cabinet as yet, leader of the House Susil Premajayantha said today.

SC determines some clauses inconsistent with Constitution

The Supreme Court has determined that some clauses of 22nd Amendment to the Constitution are inconsistent with the Constitution and needs to be approved through a special majority in Parliament and a referendum, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeyawardane told Parliament today.

11 Sri Lankans planning to sail to Canada held in Kerala: Police

Kerala police on Monday arrested 11 Sri Lankans from a hotel in Kollam in south Kerala after a tip off from Tamil Nadu police that they were planning to sail to Canada in a fishing boat.

Water levels rise alarmingly in Kelani, Kalu, Nilwala, Maha Oya, Attanagalu Oya: DMC

The heavy showers have lashed most parts of the country and water levels were rising at several gauging stations of the Kelani river, Kalu river, Nilwala river, Maha Oya and Attanagalu Oya may cause minor floods, the Disaster Management Centre warned.

WFP direct cash transfers to food insecure families

The World Food Programme (WFP) has agreed to provide Rs.10,000 monthly direct cash transfers to at least 61,000 food insecure families that are in need of urgent assistance.

Govt. installs new system to identify those who deserve welfare benefits

The government has deployed a new welfare benefit information system from next year onwards to provide better targeted social welfare benefits by way of direct cash transfers to the vulnerable groups in society.

Construction sector warns workers will take to streets if govt. doesn’t pay bills

The government’s move to halt the construction projects without settling the bills of the contractors would severely impact those dependent on the sector, a senior representative of the construction industry said.

Local canned fish manufacturers allege Sathosa trying to buy imported tinned fish despite self-sufficiency

Despite the country reaching self-sufficiency in canned fish production, the local canned fish manufacturers allege that the country’s largest modern retail chain, state-owned Lanka Sathosa, is attempting to purchase imported canned fish.