SLC Exco sends LoD on Rs. 2Bn to National Sports Council Chairman Arjuna

Members of the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have sent Letters of Demand to the newly appointed Chairman of the National Sports Council Arjuna Ranatunga, claiming Rs. 2 billion, the SLC said.

UK becomes the first country to approve a dual Covid vaccine targeting omicron

Britain on Monday became the first country in the world to approve a dual Covid-19 vaccine, which tackles both the original virus and the newer omicron variant.

Myanmar court convicts Suu Kyi on more corruption charges

A court in military-ruled Myanmar convicted the country’s ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, on more corruption charges on August 15 and sentenced her to an additional six years in prison, a legal official said.

S&P pushes Sri Lankan bonds deeper into junk territory with ’default’ rating

Global ratings agency S&P Global on Monday slashed its rating on Sri Lankan bonds to ’D’, representing default, following missed interest and principal payments.

Power cut to be extended from tomorrow

The present 1 hour and 20 minutes power cut will be extended from tomorrow due to a minor breakdown to one of the Norochcholai coal power plants, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Dhaniz Ali released on bail

Activist Dhaniz Ali, who was remanded for forcibly entering the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and disrupting the broadcast last month, was released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe today.

SL receives Dornier 228 Aircraft donated by India

Sri Lanka today received the Dornier 228 Aircraft which was handed over to Sri Lanka by the Indian government, the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said.

Power cut duration to be extended from tomorrow

The one hour and 20 minutes power cut will be extended from tomorrow due to a minor breakdown repair of unit one of the Norochcholai coal power plant, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

Sri Lanka imposes ban on three new entities and 55 individuals

While de-listing six Tamil international organizations including the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and 317 individuals, the government has added 55 new individuals and three more organizations to the banned list as part of this year’s review, informed sources said.

Opposition nominates Eran, Kabir as COPE, COPA heads

Whilst confirming that the opposition groups in Parliament have nominated his name as the new Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises ( COPE), Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Eran Wickramaratne today said it is up to the government to decide on a policy to give the chairmanship to members of Opposition.

Fuel price revision likely today

A fuel price revision for the second quarter of this month will be made today, the power and energy ministry announced earlier.

Norochcholai Unit 1 breaks down: Minister

Unit 1 of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has experienced a breakdown this morning and the Technical staff is working to identify the fault, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

STF arrest ’Harak Kata’s sniper ’Kadira’

Prabodha Kumara alias ’Kadira’, who was the main sniper of underworld figure and drug trafficker ’Harak Kata’, was arrested by the STF in Boralesgamuwa last night.

Techno Ministry flouts regulations in purchasing office space at One Galle Face

The Ministry of Technology sealed its rental agreement with Shangri-La Group to purchase an office space at Level 11 of One Galle Face Tower without following the standard procurement procedure, a Summery Report compiled by the Auditor General’s Department has revealed.

President in a hurry to rope in Jaffna MPs to showcase to Geneva: Wigneswaran

In an apparent negative signal to the Tamil political parties that aspire to join the proposed All-party government, former Chief Minister of Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe appears to be in a hurry to rope in Jaffna MPs to be part of the Government, to showcase to Geneva.

President a prisoner of the SLPP: Jayasekara

With the pledge given by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP) for his survival that he would not dissolve Parliament as long as the current regime completes its full term in 2025, he will become a prisoner of the SLPP, General Secretary of the SLFP, former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.

India, a force to be reckoned with

As the world’s largest democracy India celebrated its Independence Day today (August 15), Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation invited all Indians to carry out their duties to ensure that the country is a developed nation in the next 25 years.

India’s generous assistance to Sri Lanka heartening, says Commonwealth Secretary General

India’s ’’generous’’ and ’’multi-faceted’’ assistance to Sri Lanka to help it deal with its unprecedented economic crisis is ’’heartening’’, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has said.

Recent 75% electricity tariff is a farce: CEB Trade Union Alliance

The recent 75% increase in the electricity tariff is incorrect; it is a 100% increase when considering higher unit rates, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) United Trade Union Alliance said.

T.N. BJP will continue to press for retrieval of Katchatheevu: Annamalai

The Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party will continue to pressurise the Union government to retrieve the Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka as it would facilitate the fishermen in Tamil Nadu to engage in fishing activities along the Palk Straits without any insecurity and threat from the Sri Lankan Navy personnel, said its state president K Annamalai in Rameshwaram on Sunday

Tourist arrivals from August 1 – 11 cross 16,000 mark

Tourist arrivals for the first 11 days of August crossed the 16,000 mark, showing signs of a slight improvement in terms of the rate of arrivals to the country when compared with the previous month.

Reports on ‘War Game’ between Sri Lanka Navy and Pakistan Navy are fallacious; Navy responds

Responding to certain reports relating to scheduled naval exercise with the Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Taimur which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, the Sri Lanka Navy said they conduct Passage Exercises as a routine engagement when their visiting naval ships depart the island after making official port calls.

Man arrested over video showing death threats on son

An individual who attempted to compel his wife who is employed abroad to return to the country, by way of posing death threats on his five year old son was taken into custody by Kuliyapitiya police today.

1 hour & 20 minutes power cut for next two days

The power cut schedule of 1 hour and 20 minutes for Monday (15) and Tuesday (16) was approved today, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.

LPBOA appeals to youth, politicians, clergy, govt. servants to engage in betterment service

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) today made several appeals to the youth who are engaged in Aragalaya, the politicians, government servants and the clergy who too are engaged to uphold the similar cause, to come out and serve for the benefit of the people of this country.

Cardinal calls for a fresh probe on Easter attack

Calling for a fresh probe on the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today said the incumbent President will be accepted only if he works towards uncovering the hidden truth on the Easter Sunday attacks.

90% buses will provide shuttle for school children: Gemunu

Nearly 90% of buses will be on the roads to facilitate schoolchildren from tomorrow, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) said.

Strengthen tug-boat fleet to boost efficacy of the port: Minister

The fleet of tugs at the Colombo Port should be strengthened to further boost the efficiency of the maritime operations at the Port, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Sapugaskanda refinery to resume operation mid next week

Refining activities at the Sapugaskanda oil refinery will resume operations in mid next week after the arrival of crude oil shipment, the Power and Energy Minister said.

Number of vehicles can now be registered under BRN under NFP: ICTA

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) today said Businesses with large fleet of vehicles can now be registered with their Business Registration Numbers (BRN) from today under the National Fuel Pass (NFP).