Circular on cladding of attire for public officers issued

A circular has been issued regarding the ‘attire of public officers’, permitting them to dress in appropriate and modest attire for males and females to preserve the dignity of the public service in office.

Umar fears FIFA ban after Minister appoints Interim Committee

Football Sri Lanka (FSL) President Jaswar Umar today warned that there is a great danger of the world football governing body – the FIFA banning Sri Lanka in the coming days.

Tamil Nadu Police arrests 2 criminals wanted by Sri Lankan govt

Two criminals who were wanted in connection with various cases in Sri Lanka were arrested by Tamil Nadu police and lodged in Puzhal Jail. They were wanted for murder, robbery and human trafficking.

Major fire reported in Thotalanga

A major fire has broken out at Kajeemawatta Flats in Thotalanga this evening, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Fire Service Department said.

Fresh circular issued restricting public officials use of social media

Public officials expressing opinions and views on social media without following the provisions under the Establishments Code will be subject to disciplinary action, according to a fresh circular issued by the state.

SL fishermen express concern over Chinese entry to marine industry in North

Fishermen in Northern Sri Lanka raised concerns over the presence of Chinese firms in the country’s marine industry, especially in the Jaffna Peninsula and the possible effect it could have on the ecology.

Govt. plans to unleash repression when people take to streets: Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union

While stacking more burdens on people, the government is planning to unleash repression when they take to the streets, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) said.

HSZ to be removed?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has advised the Attorney General to look into annulling the gazette notification which he had earlier issued declaring several areas as high security zones.

Train crashed into old building at Dematagoda Yard

Ruhunu Kumari train which was taken to the Dematagoda railway yard for maintenance has crashed into an old building this morning.

Airport senior security officer nabbed with Rs. 20mn gold biscuits

An airport senior security officer who attempted to smuggle eight gold biscuits weighing one kilogram, worth in the range of Rs. 20 million, was apprehended while leaving the Katunayake airport by a group of officers from the Customs Narcotics Control Division in the afternoon.

Security Council: SL to back bids of India and Japan for permanent member status

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said Sri Lanka government will back the bids of India and Japan for permanent member status at the UN Security Council.

FM to launch e-channeling appointment system

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with SLT Mobitel will launch an e-channeling appointment system with effect from 29 September, 2022.

SJB warns to trap RW in one location if he fails

Whilst expressing that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will not allow the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe to remain in power till 2024, parliamentarian S. M. Marikkar today said President Wickremesinghe will be surrounded from all corners wherever he resides, if he fails to resolve the starvation and other issues.

Marine Pollution Prevention organises Beach Cleaning Day

As part of the “Marine Pollution Prevention” component of its Sixfold Sustainable Model, C.W. Mackie PLC recently organised “Beach Cleaning Day” in an effort to band together environmentalists and the staff of C.W. Mackie PLC towards achieving a shared goal.

Power cut extended today

Due to the technical fault of the Norocholai third coal power plant, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved a three-hour power cut today and a two-hour and twenty-minute power cut tomorrow.

Green light to purchase power from private plants; no extended power cuts: Minister

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has granted approval for Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to purchase power from Private Plants until Norocholai Power Plant is restored, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

SL ready to enter into free trade agreement with Singapore: Prez

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said Sri Lanka is ready to enter into a free trade agreement ( FTA) with Singapore, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

SLPP PS member arrested over attempted robbery in Thambuttegama

A Pradeshiya Sabha member of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has been arrested in connection with the attempted robbery of Rs. 22.3 million near a bank in Thambuttegama.

Japan ready to play a leading role with creditors to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt – Japanese FM

President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi this morning in Tokyo.

Further extension in power cuts inevitable: PUCSL

The third Coal power plant in Nuraichcholai has been shut down due to a technical fault and as a result, power cuts may have to be extended, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Sajith says Prez does more atrocious things than Gota

It is interesting to witness today that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has resorted to doing what Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not as President, Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Man who demanded ransom from GR’ s wife Ayoma Rajapaksa arrested

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a person for allegedly threatening Ayoma Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and demanding a ransom of Rs. 1 million.

Hair and beauty industry badly hit by import ban on wide range of cosmetic products

The hair and beauty industry of Sri Lanka is fast losing viability with limited access to hair and cosmetic products, due to the temporary ban on cosmetic products imposed by the government.

Inflation nightmare could stay through 2023 even if things turn out as planned

Sri Lankans could be in for a long drawn-out path out of the economic misery that they have dug themselves into, as the prevailing cost of living crisis could grind on for years with inflation staying higher than the pre-crisis level, even after a year from now, that also if things turn out according to the forecasters’ expectations.

Legality of President’s Order declaring HSZ challenged in Supreme Court

A youth organization affiliated to Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an interim order suspending the operation of the order issued by President declaring High Security Zones in Colombo district.

SL’s FitsAir announces commencement of international passenger operations

Sri Lanka’s aviation space will see a new cost-effective addition in the coming weeks, as a new local brand is gearing up to fly the skies, becoming the first privately-owned airline in Sri Lanka to operate international passenger flights.

SJB says Official Secrets Act does not prevent people from travelling on roads

The Official Secrets Act of 1955 does not provide to prevent anyone from travelling along roads where important state buildings are located and thus declare these areas as high security zones, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Gayantha Karunatilaka said today.

Sri Lanka to purchase oil from Iran on government to government deal

Sri Lanka is to purchase crude oil from Iran on a government to government deal, a Minister said today.

HRCSL deeply concerned about Govt. declaring HSZs violating fundamental rights of people

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is deeply concerned about the government’s approach to adopt the Official Secrets Act and declare high security zones, which grossly violates the fundamental rights of the people of the country.

Two men nabbed when attempting to rob Rs. 22.3 million

Two robbers who attempted to snatch Rs. 22.3 million from a man who came to deposit the money in a bank were arrested by the Thambuttegama police this evening.