Only around 12,000 places of worship get electricity bills over Rs. 3,990: Kanchana

Claiming that only about 12,000 religious places are getting electricity bills over Rs. 3,990 out of the total of 48,682 such places of worship, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said plans are afoot to introduce solar power for such places.

Opposition calls for PCS to ascertain those reponsible for economic crisis

Around 34 MPs representing various opposition groups in a letter addressed to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene to urged to appoint a select Committee to carry out a probe to determine the reasons for the economic crisis, identify responsible persons and to decide on steps that needs to be taken to avoid such crisis in the future.

Plans to launch project to manufacture sanitary pads locally: Keheliya

Discussion are continuing with Indian entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganathan, popularly known as ‘PAD-MAN’ to initiate a project to manufacture sanitary pads in Sri Lanka, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella told Parliament today.

SLC ends contract with Tom Moody ahead of T20 World Cup 2022

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Executive Committee mutually agreed with Tom Moody, who was functioning as the ’’Director of Cricket,’’ to exist from his contract with immediate effect, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

UK Tour: Only important people accompanied President: President’s office

It was only some important people who had accompanied President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his recent tour to Britain to attend the funeral of British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II, a spokesperson from the President’s office confirmed today.

Covid-19 pandemic is over in the US: Joe Biden

President Joe Biden has declared the pandemic over in the US, even as the number of Americans who have died from Covid continues to rise.

Why President took large delegation to UK; questions Welgama

Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama raised concerns about President Ranil Wickremesinghe accompanying a large delegation to the United Kingdom whereas only a three-member delegate should have been taken with him to minimize unnecessary expenses.

Chinese scientists develop mask that detects COVID, flu exposure

Chinese researchers have developed a mask that lets users know if they’ve been exposed to Covid-19 or the flu, a development that could help vulnerable populations even as the use of face coverings falls and more nations ease virus restrictions.

Organic fertiliser pivot continues to send shockwaves through agriculture sector

The disastrous organic fertiliser pivot, which came to a head in the second quarter of this year, plunged Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector to an unprecedented decline, creating a massive food crisis in the country.

People’s revolt inevitable if no polls are held within 6 months. Ven. Dhammarathana

If a general election is not held within the the next six months after the formation of an all-party government, a revolt by public could become inevitable, Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya head Ven. Valahangunawewe Dhammarathana Thera said.

Prices of confectionary items to come down with immediate effect

After several weeks of paying exorbitant prices to procure what used to be affordable snacks, consumers will witness a drop in the prices of confectionary products across all product categories.

Construction shrinks twice as much as economy in 2Q

While the broader economy contracted by 8.4 percent in the second quarter ended in June, the construction activities, which contributed an outsize 9.5 percent to the overall economic output, shrank by nearly twice as much as in the same period, indicating its importance to the Sri Lankan economy, specially in the post-war era.

Temples to go dark on Vap Poya

The Sri Lanka Ramanya Mahanikaya’s Central Province Sangha Sabha has taken a decision to turn off the lights of all temples during the upcoming Vap poya day as a mark of protest against the increased electricity tariffs, Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Central Province – Ven. Godamune Pannakitthi said

Tourist arrivals during Sept. 1-15 hit almost 15k

Tourist arrivals for the first 15 days of September totaled 14,833, bringing the arrivals for the January 1 to September 15 period to 511,263.

Attestation, Verification process at the Consular Affairs Division resumes tomorrow

The computer system breakdown experienced in the Attestation and Verification unit of the Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Ministry has been resolved, and the functionalities will resume tomorrow (20).

Tell even leaders of our political party to behave in the way you want: Sarath Fonseka

Whilst stating that Sri Lanka’s political culture should be changed, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman Sarath Fonseka said people should get even SJB leaders to behave in the way they want.

Getambe Cheithiya on verge of collapse

More than 500 year old Bodhi and the Cheithiya in Getambe temple ground are exposed to the danger of being eroded into the Mahaweli river. Anunayaka of the Sri Lanka Ramanniya Nikaya Ven. Keppitiyaoda Siriwimala Thera said the Bodhi ground and several buildings had developed cracks and were facing the danger of collapsing into the river if protective step were not taken immediately.

Don’t try to hoodwink the voter

If President Ranil Wickremesinghe has extra cash, he is free to hold a referendum, but he cannot use it to hoodwink the voter to postpone the Local Government (LG) polls, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said today.

Ex-CID officer arrested along with Shani Abeysekera: PSC fails to pay his salary as directed by SC

It was revealed that no steps have been taken by Public Service Commission (PSC) as directed by Supreme Court to pay the salary of former CID sub inspector Sugath Mendis who was arrested and interdicted along with former CID Director Shani Abeysekera.

Queen’s funeral: Elizabeth II’s final journey begins

The Queen’s final journey is under way as her coffin is carried by gun carriage to her funeral service at Westminster Abbey.

UN resident coordinator makes an appeal for SL

UN Resident Coordinator in Srilanka Hanaa Singer said Sri Lanka needs her friends to show solidarity to address shortages in food and medical supplies as Sri Lanka is facing a severe socioeconomic crisis that impacts all its citizens.

Patali warns RW of another public uprising

SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has warned President Ranil Wickremesinghe of another public uprising if Wickremesinghe fails to perform after taking over the presidency.

Jacqueline Fernandez summoned again by Delhi Police in Rs 200-cr extortion case

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has been summoned again today by the Delhi Police for questioning in a ₹ 200 crore extortion case linked to jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekar, sources have said.

Can revive country in five years: Rajitha

Even if some people claim that it would take 10 years to revive the country back to normalcy, SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne said they could do it in around five years.

The Queen’s lying in state ends ahead of state funeral

The lying-in-state ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall formally ended and the doors closed to the public ahead of her state funeral on Monday.

Ranil extends Col term appointed by GR

The term of the 3-member Commission of Inquiry (CoI) appointed by the former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to investigate, inquire into and report or take necessary action on the findings of preceding Commissions or Committees appointed to probe into human rights violations, serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other such offences, was extended by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Tore nails off and kept saying ’’money’’: police give details about capture of Sri Lankan citizens

The National Police of Kharkiv Oblast have reported the details of seven Sri Lankan citizens who had been in captivity and managed to free themselves after liberation of the oblast.

Lotus Tower nets over Rs. 7 mn from visits by public

The Lotus Tower Management said that they have earned over Rs.7 million until yesterday from the date the tower was opened for public viewing, Lotus Tower Head of Management, Prasad Samarasinghe said.

Daughters demand Rs.200,000 to take care of father

An 82 year old father of seven daughters yes­ter­day made a com­plaint to the Padukka police that his daugh­ters were demand­ing Rs.200,000 to take care of him. He reques­ted the police to help him.

Police launches probe as Peradeniya Uni student who goes missing

Peradeniya Police have initiated investigation into a complaint over the disappearance of a fourth year student of the University of Peradeniya.