IRD blames former FinMin officials for turning blind eye to tax evasion

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) officials yesterday blamed top Finance Ministry officials under the former regime for turning a blind eye to tax evasions by preventing them from performing their duties under the law.

Lanka IOC donates Rs.200mn to the President’s Fund

With continued focus on giving back to the society, Lanka IOC Chairman Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra donated a cheque of Rs.200 million to President Ranil Wickremesinghe as a contribution to the President’s Fund meant for advancement of education, upliftment of the society or any other purpose in the interest of the public.

Multiple crises have worsened long-standing worrisome features in SL’s labour market: ILO

The multiple crises in Sri Lanka have intensified long-standing worrisome features of the country’s labour market, a report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) revealed.

Govt. should find an immediate solution to the high cost of living: SF

Government should come up with immediate solutions to the high cost of living and the closure of small and medium industries without depending on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), SJB MP Sarath Fonseka told Parliament yesterday.

PHI EXCO approves statement made regarding toxic Thriposha

The executive committee of the Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union yesterday assured that the statement made by the union’s head, Upul Rohana regarding the toxic Thriposha stocks was correct.

People in North, South unite against PTA is a major victory: Sumanthiran

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is failing in all his attempts to retain power with the backing of the Rajapaksas as finally the people in the north have united with their brethren in the south in the campaign for repealing the draconian law PTA, Parliamentarian M. A. Sumanthiran said.

Govt. never promised to appoint opposition MPs as heads of COPE, COPA: Sagara Kariywasam

The government never promised to offer chairmanship of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) and Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) to the Opposition, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary MP Sagara Kariywasam said today.

Power cut lengthened; 2 hour 20 min until Sunday: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today approved request of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to impose 2 hours and 20 minutes until Sunday (25).

Damitha Abeyratne to enter politics?

Actress turned activist Damitha Abeyratne today said that now is the time to have an election to provide an opportunity for those who want to work for this country.

President visits Book Fair, says will hold a special book exhibition

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a special book exhibition including books and documents of rare and historical value that have been taken from Sri Lanka to foreign countries, is expected to be organized in conjunction with the 75th Independence Commemoration.

Report on student consuming coconut kernel for lunch unfounded-PMD

The reported incident of a student consuming coconut kernel for lunch due to poverty, was found to be unfounded, the President’s Media Division said.

Parliament heated up over food scarcity among school children

Heated argument erupted in Parliament today when opposition MPs charged that schoolchildren are facing serious issues without being able to get proper meal and that the government has been unable to provide them meals with nutritious value.

MRIA incurring Rs. 100 Mn loss every month: Nimal Siripala

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) was incurring a monthly loss of Rs.100 million, Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

Education Minister meets UNESCO Director General

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha who is in New York to attend Transforming Education Summit, met the Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay.

President to attend Shinzo Abe’s funeral in Japan

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave for Japan on September 26 to attend the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

US will continue to support Sri Lanka - Under Secretary Nuland

The United States will continue to support Sri Lanka through its economic crisis, US Under Secretary Victoria Nuland has assured.

Seven including gangster ’Parippuwa’s’’ sibling arrested in Dematagoda

Seven suspects including the brother of organized criminal Kolonnawa Lakmal alias ’ Parippuwa’ have been arrested by the STF over assault on individual and several other crimes during a raid in Dematagoda.

New Zealand changes to its passport requirement

Immigration New Zealand has temporarily removed the requirement for most applicants to provide a physical passport, the New Zealand High Commissioner in Colombo said.

Pfizer vaccines to expire on Oct. 31, so will RAT kits: GMOA

The three-month extension of the expiry date of the Pfizer BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines will be due on October 31, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said.

Cabinet not notified of IMF staff level agreement: Speaker confirms

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana today informed Parliament that the cabinet of ministers have not been briefed about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff level agreement and that he will brief the cabinet, the opposition and the House once the additions and amendments are added to it.

I did not refer to prostitution, night life goes beyond prostitution: Diana

Taking on critics on her recent remarks on introducing night life activities, State Minister Diana Gamage told Parliament yesterday that when she spoke about night life she was not referring to prostitution.

Peradeniya Uni Art Faculty lectures limited to online following ragging

The Arts Faculty of the University of Peradeniya has been closed and lectures are being conducted online following the recent clash among students, a university official said.

After EU, Saudi Arabia raises red flag over cancerous fungicide presence in basmati rice

Following reports of European countries testing premium variety basmati rice imported from India with traces of cancer causing fungicide tricyclazole, Saudi Arabia has also asked exporters to cut use of fungicide.

Petroleum Products Bill inconsistent with Constitution: SC informs Speaker

The Supreme Court informed speaker that Petroleum Products Special Provisions Amendment Bill is inconsistent as a whole with the article 12(1) of the Constitution, Speaker announced a shortwhile ago.

I will continue to fight for my father: Ahimsa Wickrematunge

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, says she will continue to fight for her father.

US organization ’Americares’ donates US$ 773,000 worth medicines to SL

Americares, a health-focused relief and development organization donated more than US$ 773,000 worth of urgently needed medicines and medical supplies to Sri Lanka, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in the US said.

National inflation breaches 70% in August

The national index of consumer prices for August notched above 70 percent, as the sharp electricity tariff revision, which came into effect from the start of the month, hit the consumer wallets hard on top of the soaring food prices.

Body of missing Peradeniya undergrad found in Mahaweli River

The body of the fourth year Arts faculty student at the Peradeniya university, who had gone missing since the September 16, was found in the Mahaweli River in Gatambe area, police said.

Currency float sends rupee value of foreign debt swelling

The Sri Lankan rupee, which shed nearly 80 percent of its value, has sent the rupee value of the foreign currency-denominated debt of the government spiralling by significant proportions, even with no fresh borrowings, as the rupee weakness is sending ripple effects across markets.

SL to officially present IMF deal, debt restructuring plans to creditors tomorrow

Sri Lanka will present its programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to its official and private creditors tomorrow for the first time, seeking debt relief, as the US $ 81 billion crisis-hit economy seeks to turnaround its fortunes.