New COPE, COPA members appointed

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene informed Parliament on the appointment of new members to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).

SL HR report to be tabled in Aussie Parliament

A group of New South Wales (NSW) Parliamentarians have assured the Sri Lankan expatriates living in Sydney that they will table Sri Lanka’s Human Rights violation report at their next parliament session.

Tax revenue plummeting as liquor sales significantly drop: Excise

The Excise tax revenue targeted for the year 2022 is plummeting as the sale of alcoholic beverages have significantly dropped owing to the recent excessive pricing on the booze, the Department of Excise complained yesterday.

UNHRC resolution : Sri Lanka not optimistic of overcoming it- Confident of getting only six votes

Ahead of the vote on the latest resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC ),Sri Lanka is only confident of six countries voting along with it against the move, Daily Mirror learns .

President meets the Bishop of Kurunegala

A special discussion took place last evening between President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rev. Dr. Harold Anthony Perera, Bishop of Kurunegala and the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka.

More countries sign resolution on Sri Lanka

More countries have signed the resolution on Sri Lanka in Geneva as co-sponsors, Daily Mirror learns. The resolution has now been signed by Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Türkiye, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United

Many areas may receive 100mm of rain

Heavy rains exceeding 100 mm is expected in Sabaragamuwa Province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

’’Pethiyagoda Sanka’’ arrested

Three persons including leading underworld kingpin Kothalawala Liyanage Harsha Chaturanga Perera alias ’’Pethiyagoda Sanka’’ have been arrested by the STF during a raid in Mulleriyawa over numerous crimes.

Education free from burden of exams for children in future: Edu. Minister

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that he is working hard to free the children from years of continuous memorization of subject knowledge and the stress of facing exams.

Foreigners continue to accumulate rupee bonds on reform hopes 

In what could be a rare bright spot emerging from an otherwise gloomy external sector, foreigners have continued their purchasing of rupee treasuries, stretching the streak into its fifth....

Jobless rate in 2Q increases as economy continues to contract

Sri Lanka’s official unemployment rate increased in the second quarter ended in June as the unprecedented economic crisis pushed many out of work amid sky-high interest rates, import restrictions, soaring.....

No benefit to people from reducing petrol prices: School van Assn.

People will only benefit from lowering diesel prices, not the price of petrol, several other organizations, including the All Ceylon Inter-Provincial School Van Transporters Association said.

Unable to reduce tuk-tuk fares even petrol prices are lowered: Union

The All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) today said that they are unable to reduce the taxi fares due to mythe recent price reduction of petrol.

Liquor and cigarettes prices increased

The prices of several brands of liquor and cigarettes have been increased with effect from midnight yesterday (October 1).

Charles to meet British- based Lankans

King Charles is to meet the British-based Sri Lankan community in his first public engagement.

Inflation could go down if diesel prices lowered: Gemunu

Lanka Private Bus Owners Association President Gemunu Wijeratne said that everything from public transport depends on diesel and the inflation rate which is now at 70% could be brought down if diesel prices are reduced.

Harsha to summon all MPs to public finance committee

Whilst stating that it is not possible to convert Sri Lanka’s primary deficit to a surplus within three years, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP and Chairman of Public Finance Committee Dr. Harsha de Silva said he had invited all members of Parliament to a three-day meeting this week to decide on the extent of economic reforms which the nation could afford.

All duties on imported raw material for domestically manufactured sanitary napkins waived

The government has taken measures to waive duties imposed on five imported raw materials for locally produced sanitary napkins in order to make hygiene products more affordable in view of ensuring hygiene among women and school girls. In addition, it has also been decided to provide tax concessions for imported finished sanitary napkins as well.

Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance launches destination marketing campaign

The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance (SLTA) has launched a Destination Marketing campaign to drive winter bookings and increase the visibility of the country through a number of different mechanisms.

Govt. responds to reports on employees salary cut

There is no truth in the reports spread through social media that the salary of government employees will be curtailed from next month, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

US$ 6mn grant from Korea to rejuvenate people affected by COVID

An agreement was signed between Public Administration Ministry and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to strengthen the socio-economic resilience of the people of Central and Uva Provinces those who affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Award winning actor Darshan Dharmaraj no more

LPopular Sri Lankan actor Darshan Dharmaraj passed away at the age of 41 this morning, hospital sources said.

Woman accidentally shot dead by police during robbery

A 29-year-old woman was shot dead in a shooting by police at Danowita in Gampaha this morning

More than 120 dead in football stampede in Indonesia

At least 127 people have died in a stampede at an Indonesian football match after police tear-gassed rioting supporters, officials say.

High Security Zones removed

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe revoking the order issued declaring the High Security Zones.

Third coal power plant in Norochcholai fixed, operates in full capacity: Minister

The third coal power plant in Norochcholai has been fixed and connected back to the national grid, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Fire in house claims lives of young couple at Valvettithurai

A young couple burnt to death due to a fire that broke out in a room of the house at Nediyakadu in ​​Velvettithurai today, police said.

Price of petrol lowered, no change in petroleum products

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has reduced the retail prices of petrol from midnight today.

Mobile app to figure out fake liquor

In view to distilling, marketing, distributing and selling fake or bootleg liquor, other than the genuinely distilled and marketed alcoholic beverages, the Excise Department has introduced a new mobile application to identify the original status of the alcoholic liquor being sold in the wine stores and by other nominated sellers, Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Fuel price revision likely today

A fuel price revision for the first quarter of this month to be made today, the power and energy ministry had earlier announced.