US Embassy won’t offer NIV passback services until Monday

The Consular Section of the United States Embassy in Sri Lanka today announced that they will not offer NIV passback services on Friday (26).

Govt. slaps import ban on wide range of goods

The Govt. yesterday issued new regulations via an extraordinary gazette suspending the import of a plethora of items, with effect from August 23, 2022, until further notice.

PTA, a must to tackle terrorism: Cabinet Spokesman

The government today said that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sleuths are questioning several suspects including the convener of the IUSF Wasantha Mudalige detained under the provisions of Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to determine whether there was a conspiracy to topple the government.

Super Diesel cargo to be unloaded tomorrow, more fuel expected: Minister

The Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera today said that 30,000MT of Super Diesel cargo is to be unloaded tomorrow.

QR code leaves Bowser, filling station owners in dire straits

According to the Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners’ Association (CPPBOA), following the introduction of the QR code system under the National Fuel Pass (NFP) portal as a result of the fuel crisis, fuel sales have dropped by 60%, leaving tanker operators and filling station owners in dire straits.

BASL urges President to refrain from using PTA against protesters

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has urged the President and the law enforcement authorities to refrain from using the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against the persons who have been involved in protests against the Government.

Harsha appointed Chairman of Public Finance Committee

The Public Finance Committee which met today, unanimously appointed SJB MP Harsha de Silva as its new Chairman.

Repeal PTA and release arrested Uni. students: NPP

While urging the government to repeal the Prevention of Terrorrism Act (PTA), the National People’s Power today called on the government to release the three student activists who were detained under the PTA.

SL ignores COVID; people warned against uncontrollable spreading: PHI head

As the current COVID situation in the country has been ignored, the dreaded virus is now spreading uncontrollably from the grassroots level, Public Health Inspectors (PHI) Union Head Upul Rohana said.

After introducing QR, fuel consumption falls closer to 3mn liters: Minister

The Power and Energy Ministry said the fuel consumption has fallen by 2,816,056 liters after the successful introduction of QR code system under the National Fuel Pass (NFP) portal.

Four cops arrested for robbing youth

Four policemen attached to Malabe police post were arrested today by the Kottawa police on suspicion of their involvement in a robbery at Vidyala junction in Kottawa.

SATHOSA lowers prices of 5 essential goods

The Lanka SATHOSA has announced the price reduction of five essential foodstuff, including sugar and rice from today at all its outlets.

HRCSL recommends govt. to permit safe return of GR, his family

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) in a letter to President Ranil Wickremesinghe has recommended the Government to take all necessary steps to assess the threat situation and provide the former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family with the security protection provided under the law to safely return to the country whenever he makes such a request.

Court issues arrest warrant on Pathum Kerner

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today issued a warrant for the arrest of Social media activist Dr. Pathum Kerner over an case filed by Colombo Crimes Division.

Spike in influenza, fever patients normal, not COVID cases: Dr. Herath

These days, the increase in the number of influenza and fever infections in the country is quite normal, but the escalation of COVID-19 positive cases is quite unexpected, Health Services Deputy Director General Dr. Hemanta Herath said.

SL ranks 5th among 10 countries with highest food price inflation: World Bank

Sri Lanka ranked 5th among the 10 countries with the highest food price inflation in the latest World Bank assessment.

’Haal Sameera’ arrested with firearms in Minuwangoda for extortion

The STF arrested Warnakulasuriya Kristebuge Sameera Sampath Fernando alias ’Haal Sameera’ with firearms and ammunition for his involvement in several crimes and frauds across the country.

US $ 18tn wiped off from global markets in first half of 2022, WFE data reveals

The new data published by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), the global industry group for exchanges and central clearing counterparties, lays bare the full economic impact of the Ukraine war upon a global economy still trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Aragalaya causes Rs.5 million in damages to Galle Face: Ministry

The damage caused to the Galle Face Green due to the Aragalaya has been estimated at Rs. 5 million, a statement from the Housing and Urban Development Ministry said.

Positive investor interest for EOI floated by Colombo Lotus Tower

The Chinese-funded Colombo Lotus Tower, which has repeatedly come under much criticism for being non-operational for a long period since completion of its construction, has received positive responses from potential investors to set up ventures, a senior official said.

‘Bad bank’ mooted to deal with tourism industry debt

The Sri Lanka tourism authorities, led by Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, are actively contemplating on setting up what is called a ‘bad bank’ to restructure the debt of the crisis-hit tourism sector, Mirror Business learns.

National inflation increases to 66.7%

Headline inflation, as measured by the year-on-year (YoY) change in the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI), increased to 66.7 percent in July 2022, from 58.9 percent in June 2022.

President never ordered British woman to be deported

President office today denied reports that said an order has been given by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to deport the British women who has allegedly supported the Galle Face protesters by spreading falsehoods.

Mano welcomes direct cash subsidy by govt. in the wake of kerosene price increase

Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) an ally of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Mano Ganesan today welcomed the decision by the government to introduce a direct cash subsidy to low income groups to purchase kerosene in the wake of the price increase.

Two Sri Lankan origin Canadians among Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022

Two Sri Lankan origin Canadians, Professor Janaka Ruwanpura and Dr. Sivakumar Gulasingam were among the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2022, the High Commission of Sri Lanka to Canada said.

EU concerned about using PTA

The European Union (EU) representatives in Sri Lanka expressed concern about reports on the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act in the recent arrests.

Dearth of Science, technology enrollment in faculties caused unemployment: Minister

The main cause of unemployment in the country is a lack of enrollment in technology faculties, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Prez meets Sajith and Madduma Bandara to discuss all party govt.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa together with Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara today where they discussed the proposed all party government.

Govt. should uphold rights of people to express their views: US Ambassador

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka urged the government to uphold the rights of the people to express their views.

3-hour power cut approved for tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today approved a three-hour power cut for tomorrow.