Economic crisis plunges pandemic’s ‘new poor’ below poverty line

While the pandemic in the last two years created a segment of people identified as ‘new poor’, who were on the brink of poverty, the economic crisis, which soon followed, tipped them down below the poverty line, sending the country’s official poverty levels at least multiple levels higher than what was prior to the pandemic.

PM invites France to invest in fishery, agriculture, IT, renewable energy, electronics, tourism sectors

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said he is hopeful that French investors would enter into new areas of investment such as fishery, agriculture, information technology (IT), renewable energy, electronics and tourism sectors.

President Media gets new unit to counter disinformation

In parallel with the International Day for Universal Access to Information which falls today, a new unit “Counter Disinformation Unit” was launched by the President Media division.

2hr 30min power cut approved for tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today approved the two hour and 20 minutes power cut for tomorrow (29).

Allow maximum concessions to indebted entrepreneurs: Siyambalapitiya

Considering the ongoing economic crisis, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siambalapitiya requested the state bank heads to allow maximum concessionary period to the entrepreneurs who have taken loans.

Civil activist Shehan Malaka indicted in High Court

The Colombo High Court today served indictments on civil activist, Shehan Malaka Gamage in respect of a statement he had made on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

RW, Modi discuss Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in Tokyo

President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring when the two held informal discussions in Tokyo last evening, on the sidelines of the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Amendment to raise age of child from 16 to 18 years

An Amendment has been proposed by a commitee in Parliament to the Children and Young Persons Ordinance to consider the age of a person who shall be a child will be raised from 16 to 18 years,Communications Department of Parliament said.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman named PM

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been named the kingdom’s prime minister in a cabinet reshuffle ordered by King Salman, according to a royal decree published by the official Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

SJB files FR against High Security Zone gazette

Samagi Jana Balawegaya today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order suspending the operation of the gazette notification issued by President declaring High Security Zones in Colombo city.

Court issues arrest warrant on Dhammaloka Thera

Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka thera of Alan Mathiniyaramaya Temple in Polhengoda for not appearing in Court over a private plaint filed against him for allegedly using loudspeakers in a manner of causing nuisance.

Govt. spends Rs.2,800 mn annually on elephant repellents

The Wildlife Department has to spend Rs. 2,800 million annually to provide free repellents (crackers) to repel wild elephants to safeguard the villages in the vulnerable areas when Tue beasts invade the farmlands and villages.

Attempted bank robbery: Party membership of SLPP PS member suspended

The party membership of SLPP Rajangana Pradeshiya Sabha member who was arrested over attempted bank robbery in Thambuththegama, has been suspended, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

Revoke sweeping new order to restrict protest: HRW

The Sri Lankan government should reverse a new regulation that unlawfully restricts protests in large areas of the capital, Colombo, Human Rights Watch said yesterday.

SL can assist workers when hired for jobs in Japan

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara informed Japanese officials today about what Sri Lanka can offer when it comes to hiring workers for jobs in Japan.

Army Suranga arrested with a firearm in Mulleriyawa

The two underworld gangsters Buddhika Prasad alias ’Army Suranga’ and Chamara Chaturanga, were arrested last night in Walpola in the Mulleriyawa police area, the police said.

ADB plans to provide US$ 14bn to ease food crisis, promote long-term food security in APAC

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday announced plans to provide at least US$ 14 billion over 2022–2025 in a comprehensive....

220 people in 80 families affected by Kajeemawatta fire: Police

More than 200 people belonging to 80 families have been affected due to the major fire that broke out at Kajeemawatta Flats in Thotalanga, Grandpass last evening, police said.

Power cut schedule for today announced

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the request made by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to impose power cuts for two hour and 20 minutes today.

Colombo port set to lose out from new direct container shipping service between Chattogram and Dubai

A direct container shipping service is to be launched between Chattogram, Bangladesh and Dubai avoiding the Colombo Port...

Apparels, textiles boost August exports income

Sri Lanka recorded its highest merchandise export income so far for this year in the month of August amid increased export...

Tourism back on track for recovery: SLTDA Chief says on World Tourism Day

Although Sri Lanka tourism had to face some unprecedented challenges over the past couple of years, the industry is now back on....

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.