Damitha will be released if she hasn’t done anything wrong: Govt.

Arguments flared up in Parliament regarding actress Damitha Abeyratne who was arrested on Wednesday with Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa calling for her release and to put a stop to state terrorism and the ruling party assuring that she will be freed if she has not done anything wrong.

Thirty-seven State Ministers sworn-in

The swearing in of 37 State Ministers held before President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.

Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka among six Booker Prize finalists

Sri Lankan writer Shehan Karunatilaka, 47, is among the six authors who have made it to the Booker Prize shortlist, which were announced at a news conference in London on Tuesday.

Energy Minister highlights lack of credible CPC data for proper decision-making

Loss-making Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) needs to look at improving its data collection and presentation efforts, as there is poor consistency in what the entity makes available for decision-making, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

T-bill auction dormant amid rupee debt restructuring concerns

The Public Debt Department (PDD) of the Central Bank yesterday only sold Rs.10.2 billion worth of Treasury bills, despite offering Rs.75 billion in bills, with yields remaining unchanged across all three maturities from last week’s auction.

SL born Ranil Jayawardena is Britain’s new Environment Secretary

Sri Lankan born Ranil Jayawardena has been appointed as Britain’s new Environment Secretary in Liz Truss’ Cabinet, UK media reported yesterday.

India knocked out of Asia Cup final race as Pakistan beats Afghanistan

India has been eliminated from the Asia Cup 2022 final race by Pakistan after it beat Afghanistan by one-wicket in a Super Four match in Sharjah on Wednesday.

Food insecurity in Sri Lanka

While claiming that millions of the poorest Sri Lankans can no longer afford an adequate diet, a top official of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) expressed fear that the “situation may get worse in the weeks to come.”

Actress turned activist Damitha Abeyratne arrested

Actress and GotaGoGama activist Damitha Abeyratne had been arrested by the Colombo North Divisional Crime Detective Bureau (DCDB) for obstructing the duties of police officers.

Minister Susil says it is possible that malnutrition among school children may be high

Despite rejection of the UNICEF report which said Sri Lanka has been ranked sixth among nations with high child malnutrition by the Ministry of Health, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha today told Parliament that it is possible that malnutrition among school children may have increased during 2021 given the country’s situation.

UNICEF report incorrect: Pathirana

Contradicting the UNICEF report on malnutrition among the children in Sri Lanka, Minister Dr.Ramesh Pathirana said according to latest data, nutrition level of the Sri Lankan children has been improving over the last two decades.

Omalpe Sobhitha Thera files FR petition

Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera has filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order staying the purported award made to a company incorporated in United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the procurement of 4.5 million MTs of coal to the Lakvijaya Power Plant.

English medium from Grade 1 next year: Minister

Along with the education reforms, the Education Ministry is planning to introduce the English medium in all schools from Grade 1 next year, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Saharan’s wife and five others further remanded till Sept.21

Colombo Fort Magistrate today ordered to further remand six suspects including the wife of the National Thowheed Jamaath leader Zahran Hashim till September 21 in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Confusion in Parliament over Social Security Contribution Levy Bill

Confusion reigned with regard to the proposed Social Security Contribution Levy Bill, as it was revealed that amendments to the legislation have been sent to Parliament from unknown sources.

SMS alerts from next week to prevent illegal use of NFP

Fuel station codes will be added to the SMS generated when obtaining fuel starting next week to prevent the illegal use of National Fuel Pass (NFP) QR, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Cabinet approves payment of govt. employee retirement gratuity

Cabinet approval was granted for the payment of the retirement gratuity of government employees, which was delayed until now, the Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

Circular ready to allow checking school bags to prevent drugs brought to schools: Edu. Minister

A circular will be issued by next week to check the bags of schoolchildren in the morning to prevent drugs are brought into schools, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

CEJ files petition against importation of glyphosate

An environmental organization today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Court seeking an order suspending the operation of Gazette notification issued to import pesticide glyphosate.

No enrollment of students in intermediate classes up to O/L: Minister

The Education Ministry made a decision not to enroll students in intermediate classes up to the Ordinary Level (O/L) in all schools which enroll children based on scholarship examination marks, the Minister of Education said.

No six-month validity period for birth, marriage, death certificates: Registrar General's Dept

The Registrar General’s Department advised the Education Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Immigration and Emigration Department and the Department of Registration of Persons to refrain from considering the validity period of birth, marriage and death certificates issued by the Registrar General’s Department.

Agriculture Ministry ready to lift ban on glyphosate: Amaraweera

The Agriculture Ministry is ready to relax the ban on glyphosate herbicide that is currently in effect in Sri Lanka, Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Skinny children portray hike in childhood malnutrition: Pediatrician

The rise in COVID-19 virus, current economic crisis and lack of awareness about nutrition, the country is witnessing a greater change in nutritional status among children who are lesser than five-years-old and an increase in malnutrition, Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Sri Lanka donates tea to Pakistan flood victims

Sri Lanka donated a consignment of Ceylon tea to the flood victims in Pakistan following devastating flash floods in the recent weeks.

Prepared to face the challenge of gunmen: DIG Ajith Rohana

Senior DIG, Southern Province Ajith Rohana said 13 murders had been reported from the Southern Province for June 1 to date and that he was prepared to face the challenge of gunmen.

Sri Lanka explores US $ 6 billion fuel credit line from Saudi Arabia

Environment Minister Naseer Ahamed, in his capacity of the president’s envoy to Saudi Arabia, has initiated discussions with the Saudi government last week seeking for a five year credit line of US $ 6 billion for the supply of fuel on a government to government basis, as a long-term solution to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis, Daily Mirror learns.

No-pay leave up to 5 years for govt. officers

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to provide no-pay leave for pension-owning government officials up to a maximum of five years based on a recommendation by a committee of senior officers.

WFP fears that situation may get worse in the weeks to come

While claiming that millions of the poorest Sri Lankans can no longer afford an adequate diet, a top official of the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) expressed fear that the “situation may get worse in the weeks to come.”

Proposed National Council to be finalised next week: Prez

Highlighting that a ‘Devani Aragalaya’ (A second struggle) will be launched for a systems change shortly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the parties will finalise an agreement on the proposed National Council.

Asia Cup: Rajapaksa, Shanaka guide SL to six-wicket win over IND

Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Dasun Shanaka held nerves to guide Sri Lanka to a six-wicket win against India in the Asia Cup Super 4 game in Dubai.