Tuk Tuk fares increased; Rs.120 per km, Rs. 100 from 2nd km: Union

With the uncontrollable increase in three-wheeler fares, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) has increased the three-wheeler fare with immediate effect.

CBSL maintains policy rates at current levels

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka announced today its decision to maintain policy rates at their current levels.

CCD finds man who deposited Rs.5 Mn to Ratta’s account; Probe finds mistaken transaction

The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) has recorded a statement from an individual who is said to have deposited Rs. 5 million to the bank account of YouTuber and ’GotaGoGama’ activist Rathindu Senaratne alias Ratta.

Man arrested for entering MP Kokila’s residence

The Nalla Police in Gampaha have arrested a 25-year-old man for entering MP Kokila Harshani Gunawardena’s residence in Nalla and caused damage and setting her house and office ablaze.

Man with drugs, money worth Rs. 10Mn nabbed in Kotahena

The STF has arrested a suspect in possession of 670g of ice and more than Rs. 1.45 million in cash during a raid in Kotahena last night.

Prez reignites domestic debt restructuring fears

Reigniting fears over a potential local debt restructuring, President Ranil Wickremesinghe this week warned that Sri Lanka’s International Sovereign Bond (ISB) holders may push the government to restructure the domestic debt,

France relaxes travel advisory against Sri Lanka

The government of France yesterday relaxed the travel advisory to Sri Lanka, from recommending ‘only essential travel’ to ‘exercise caution’.

GR applies for US Green Card, looks to settle back in US

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled the country last month amidst public protests calling for his resignation, is awaiting to obtain a US Green Card to return back to the United States and settle there with his wife and son, the Daily Mirror learns.

New Cabinet appointment to be delayed by week

The appointment of the new Cabinet will be delayed for another one week due to closed door discussions being underway with the parties on the formation of it , Daily Mirror learns .

UN and Sri Lanka sign deal focused on rapid recovery

The United Nations and Sri Lanka yesterday (Wednesday) signed the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 agreement which will guide UN agencies operating in Sri Lanka.

I have given several recommendation letters: Namal

Former Minister Namal Rajapaksa says he has given several recommendation letters to individuals and played down one such letter shared on social media.

House and apartment prices skyrocket with escalating construction costs

The recently released 2Q data of the House Price Index of LankaPropertyWeb revealed that the overall selling prices of apartments increased by 45.17 percent when compared to 2Q of 2021.

LAUGFS lowers 12.5kg cylinder price by Rs.1,050

The price of a 12.5kg domestic LAUGFS gas cylinder was reduced by Rs. 1,050 from midnight today, LAUGFS Holdings founder and Chairman W.K.H. Wegapitiya said.

No longer intend to criticize govt.: SJB

Three Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Dr.Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne and Kabir Hashim today said they no longer intend to criticize the government but will focus on making proposals to push the nation through the current economic crisis.

Customs Intelligence thwarts attempt to smuggle copper, aluminum to India

An attempt to export 34 metric tons of restricted metals such as copper and aluminum worth of Rs.15 million to India, which was thwarted by Sri Lanka Customs last week was displayed to the media today at the Customs Export Facilitation Centre at the Trico Yard in Grand pass.

Five die of COVID-19

Five more COVID-19 death being confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services, the Government Information Department said.

CPC expects to commence refinery operations this week: Minister

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is hoping to commence refinery operations this week, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Multiple bomb, arson attacks rock Thailand’s south

Explosions and fires ripped through at least 17 locations in southern Thailand on Wednesday, authorities said, in what appeared to be multiple coordinated attacks that injured seven people.

Gotabaya set to return on August 24: Udayanga hints

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to return to the country on August 24, Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga hinted today.

Collective effort to bust human smuggling rackets using visit visas: Manusha

A collective decision was taken, with the representatives from Katunayake airport, the Immigration and Emigration Department and Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) to stop people going overseas for jobs under the guise of visiting a particular country through visit visas, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Ban on organizations removed in accordance with UN Charter: Presidents office

Ban of six organizations was removed in accordance with the charter on prevention of terrorism which have been approved by UN security Council, President’s office said today.

Eggs, chicken sales drop drastically: Animal Farmers’ Union

Egg and chicken sales have drastically dropped due to increasing prices of eggs and chicken in the local market, National Animal Farmers’ Union Convener Sujeewa Dhammika said.

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez is now an accused in INR 200-Crore extortion case

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has been named an accused in the money laundering case against conman Sukesh Chandrashekar, who faces charges of extortion amounting to a massive INR 200 crore.

Udayanga Weeratunga arrives at CID over MIG deal

Former Sri Lankan ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga arrived at the CID to record a statement in connection with the alleged misappropriation of 7 million US dollars in the purchase of MiG aircraft for the Air Force.

Female jailer arrested for possession of suspected pills

A female jailer of the Welikada prison was arrested by the STF for possession of suspected drug pills.

Julian Bolling summoned to CID

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today summoned Sri Lankan medal-winning swimmer Julian Bolling to record statements for the future investigation following the incident where the private residence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe was set ablaze on July 9.

Polish national arrested at BIA with cocaine worth Rs.245mn

A 60-year-old Polish national was arrested by the customs narcotic division officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while he was attempting to smuggle Rs.245 million worth of cocaine into the country, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

Govt. seeks multi-party consensus to set up private universities

As Sri Lankan students studying overseas are struggling to find their tuition fees amid the on-going forex crisis in the country, the government....

Central Bank lifts forced dollar conversion rule on services export receipts

The Central Bank yesterday said it has lifted the mandatory requirement to convert services export proceeds that are received in Sri Lanka on or after August 12, 2022.

No contribution was made by govt. for fmr prez’s foreign tours

Whilst Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardana admitted that the Sri Lankan government footed the bill to provide former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to fly to Thailand from Singapore in a chartered flight last week, Information Department said government made no contribution for it.