Sri Lanka among 10 friendliest countries

Sri Lanka became among the ten friendliest countries in the world at the 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards, the Condé Nast Traveller official website said.

Sapugaskanda refinery to be closed from today

The Sapugaskanda oil refinery is to be closed from today as the crude oil shipment had to be delayed because there was no way of making a payment for it, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Kudu Anju’s accomplice arrested with over 6kg narcotics, ammunition

An 18-year-old youth believed to be an accomplice of notorious criminal and drug trafficker Kudu Anju, has been arrested with 6 kg of heroin and 19 rounds of 9mm ammunition by the Tangalle Division Crimes Unit.

Madras HC denies default bail to Sri Lankans linked to LTTE

The Madras High Court denied default bail to a few Sri Lankans who were part of an LTTE operation to steal Rs 40 crore from the bank account of a dead woman in Mumbai by fabricating documents.

Contaminated cough, cold syrup not received or donated to SL: Keheliya

The contaminated cough and cold syrups that triggered widespread controversies and alleged to have claimed over 60 innocent lives in Gambia - all children - were not imported or donated to Sri Lanka, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Condé Nast Traveller ranks SL in top 20 list of countries to travel in 2022

Sri Lanka has made it to the top 20 list of the Readers’ Choice Awards 2022 by Condé Nast Traveller.

Debt Restructuring and Implementation of Deep Reforms Critical for Sri Lanka’s Economic Stabilization

Sri Lanka’s economic crisis is deepening with unsustainable debt and a severe balance of payment crisis on top of lingering scars of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RTI Commission reserves judgment as IGP refuses to give further information

The Right to Information Commission, which had been hearing an appeal made by journalists requesting information regarding expiry dates of tear gas canisters used by the police to defuse recent protests, yesterday concluded the hearing as the Police Chief had refused to grant further information.

IMF waiting for Sri Lanka to do the needful - Staff-level deal only an ad-referendum

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is waiting for Sri Lanka to comply with all the applicable IMF policies before further steps can be taken.

Over USD 6 million to be busted on Sri Lanka resolution

The United Nations will be forced to bust over USD 6 million to implement the resolution on Sri Lanka which was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Dayasiri refutes CEB allegations of defaulted electricity bills

Denying allegations that he had defaulted electricity bills amounting to more than Rs. 600, 000, former state minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said today that the utility bills he had received for his residence included outstanding against the previous occupants, former ministers Richard Pathirana and Athauda Senviratne.

Anti -corruption Bill ready - Justice Minister

The Anti-corruption Bill , evolved in conformity with the UN Convention on Corruption has been sent to the Attorney General for clearance before presentation in Parliament for enactment, a Minister said today.

More digital solutions for country’s burning issues: CSSL

With the introduction of Fuel Pass QR code, it signifies that more digital solutions are available for the country’s burning issues, Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) President Damith Hettihewa said.

Thico Group owner Thilini Priyamali remanded over alleged massive financial fraud

The owner of Thico Group Private Ltd Thilini Priyamali was today ordered to be remanded till October 19 after being produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate’s court over allegedly misappropriating Rs.226 million, USD 60,000, and Australian $100,000 while operating a luxurious office at World Trade Center in Colombo.

New resolution on SL adopted at HR Council with 20 votes in favour

The new resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ A/HRC/51/5, that was presented at the 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council has been adopted with 20 voting in favour while 7 voted against the resolution and 20 abstained from voting

Resolution on SL introduced in Human Rights Council in Geneva

The draft resolution, titled, ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ which has been proposed by a group of states comprising Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United States and the United Kingdom, has been tabled at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva today.

Brigadier Ravi Herath appointed as Director of Army media

Brigadier Ravi Herath of the Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC) assumed office as the new Director Media and Army Spokesman at the Army Headquarters during a brief formal ceremony today.

Kanchana & Ministry involved in massive corruption? Dayasiri reveals

General Secretary of the SLFP, former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara alleged that a major fraud involving government politicians has taken in the procurement of crude oil for the CPC running into US$ 100 million (Rs. 36 billion approximately) from a single shipment recently.

Debate on 22A postponed for next week

Party leaders who met today have decided to postpone the debate on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene announced today.

Pay your half a million electricity dues - CEB warns Dayasiri

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has sent a notice to parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera informing him to settle his electricity bill dues amounting to Rs. 637,448.38.

At least 31 people killed in mass shooting in Thailand

At least 31 people have been killed after a former police officer opened fire at a pre-school child daycare centre in Thailand, police say.

Japan says no pact yet with Sri Lanka on debt restructure talks

Japan has not yet reached an agreement with crisis-hit Sri Lanka to co-chair a summit on negotiations with creditor nations, a government official with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters, brushing aside a statement from Colombo on Thursday.

SL seeks Intl. Dev. Assn. assistance to get concessional financing: President

Sri Lanka has sought the assistance of the International Development Association to get concessional financing as the nation can no longer afford commercial borrowings, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Ranjith Bandara appointed COPE Chairman

SLPP MP Prof. Ranjith Bandara has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) with majority votes, Communications Department of Parliament said.

Maithripala’s writ petition against magisterial inquiry to be heard on Monday

A writ petition filed by former President Maithripala Sirisena challenging the magisterial inquiry and issuance of summons against him in connection with the Easter Sunday attack incidents was today fixed for support by Court of Appeal.

Cup of tea lowered by Rs. 30, fixed at Rs. 100: Assn.

The All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) has taken steps to reduce the price of a cup of black and milk tea effective from tonight.

All engaged in paddy mafia based in Polonnaruwa: Namal Karunaratne

Why does former President Maithripala Sirisena stage protests against paddy mafia when all the culprits behind controlling paddy trade are in Polonnaruwa, All Ceylon Farmers Federation Convener Namal Karunaratne questioned.

No approval from TRCSL to up telecom charges

Though telecommunication companies have announced to revise their charges, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) today said that they have not given such approval for any increase.

Monetary Board maintains SDFR and SLFR at current levels

The Monetary Board announced today that a decision has been taken to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent.

Rash of child deaths in Gambia linked to cough syrups made in India - WHO

The deaths of dozens of young children in Gambia from acute kidney injuries may be linked to contaminated cough and cold syrups made by an Indian drug manufacturer, the World Health Organization said on Wednesday.