SL to teach Japanese at school level targeting job opportunities in Japan

Targeting employment opportunities in Japan, Sri Lanka will begin to teach Japanese and English languages at the school level, under the technical subject stream.

SLC refute SJB MP’s claims in Parliament

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said refuted what it called “false, derogatory and malicious allegations” made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha in Parliament yesterday regarding the upcoming Asia Cup 2022.

Six more Covid-19 deaths, 214 cases reported

Six new coronavirus-related deaths were confirmed for yesterday by the Director-General of Health Services bringing the country’s death toll to 16,594.

Activists leave Galle Face protest site

Actress and GotaGoGama activist Damitha Abeyratne said today that they have decided to vacate from the Galle Face protest site.

Chinese social media platform bars a promotional campaign by SL

A Chinese social media platform has suspended a promotional campaign organized by the Sri Lankan embassy apparently in tit for tat for the government’s move to suspend the visit of the Chinese ship, a top source said.

If govt. provide concessions, we will convert our three-wheelers to electric: AITWDU

If the government provides electric three-wheelers under installment schemes, we will convert our fossil fuel three-wheelers to electric and will be able to provide more profitable and easy service for passengers, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) lamented.

Term tests for Grade 1 to 5 to be scrapped under new educational policy: Susil

Term tests for students from grade 1 to 5 would be scrapped in the forthcoming educational policy, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today.

It was the Security forces that safeguarded the legislature - President Wickremesinghe

Security forces have saved the day by safeguarding the legislature and thus avoided further anarchy, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Donald Trump says FBI agents raided his Mar-a-Lago Florida home

Former US President Donald Trump has said his Florida home was raided by the FBI, and that agents broke open a safe.

Recieved death threats before Presidential vote: three MPs allege

Three MPs namely Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Tilak Rajapaksa and Chaminda Wijesiri today alleged that they had received death threats whilst the latter questioned the legitimacy of the recent election of a new President in Parliament.

Youth who sat on President’s Chair arrested; no action against MPs who sat on Speaker’s Chair: Harsha

Claiming that the youth who entered President’s House and sat on the President’s chair have been arrested, Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva questioned as to what action has been taken against the MPs who sat on the Speaker’s Chair and damaged the microphones.

Amended appropriation Bill presented in Parliament

The amended appropriation Bill under which government expenditure has been revised, was presented to Parliament today.

Customs notify travellers to refrain from bringing prohibited, restricted commodities

The Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) today informed all travellers/passengers to avoid bringing in any prohibited and restricted commodities, temporarily suspended commodities or commodities in commercial quantities contained in the accompanied and unaccompanied baggage through the airport or through the unaccompanied passenger baggage (UPB) warehouses with immediate effect.

Cabinet nod to register electric trishaws

Cabinet approval was granted to amend the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) Act to register electric three wheelers.

Electricity charges to go up by 75% from tomorrow: PUCSL

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today granted permission to increase the electricity tariff by 75 % from tomorrow, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

SLPP PS member’s shooting suspect dies after taken to show hidden weapons

A suspect who is a close associate of late underworld figure Angoda Lokka, died after he fell down a quarry when he went to show a cache of hidden weapons.

Vajira Kodithuwakku appointed as Presidential Electronic Media Director

Veteran journalist and artiste Vajira Kodithuwakku today assumed duties as Presidential Media Director (Electronic and Operations).

Lunch packet, plain tea price to go down from tonight: Canteen owners

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) has decided to reduce the price of a lunch packet and a cup of plain tea from tonight.

Cabinet approves price formula for domestic LP gas

The Cabinet has approved to impliment a cost-based price formula for domestic LP gas and revise it each month.

UNFPA appeals for US $ 10.7mn to meet urgent needs of Lankan women and girls affected by economic crisis

In an effort to deliver life-saving healthcare to more than two million women and girls in Sri Lanka over the next six months, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched an appeal for US $ 10.7 million to cater to the vulnerable groups.

Govt. expects labour migration to hit an all-time high this year

With the prevailing deep economic and political crisis in the country driving the demand for foreign employments to unprecedented levels, the government expects the official outward labour migration to reach a new all-time high of 330,000 this year.

President Wickremesinghe needs to end crackdown -HRW

Sri Lanka’s new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, should ensure that his administration adopts measures to protect the basic rights of all Sri Lankans, Human Rights Watch said in a letter published today outlining key human rights concerns.

Domestic debt restructure could stoke fresh banking crisis, expert warns

Sri Lanka could stoke another crisis if the authorities chose to restructure the rupee-denominated domestic debt, as it could have severe implications on the country’s banking sector, thereby endangering the entire financial system, a top asset manager in the country said.

UN human rights experts condemn repeated use of emergency measures to crackdown on protests

GENEVA (8 August 2022) –​UN human rights experts* today condemned the extensive, prolonged and repeated use of state of emergency measures since 2 April 2022 by Sri Lankan authorities to crackdown on peaceful protesters and prevent them from voicing their grievances amidst an economic collapse in the country, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

China asks India to ’’stop disturbing’’ its exchange with SL

Riled by Sri Lanka’s request to defer the planned docking of a high-tech Chinese research vessel at the strategic Hambantota Port, China on Monday took a dig at India, saying it was ’’senseless to pressure’’ Colombo by citing the issue of security concerns.

Colombo allows Pakistani frigate Taimur to dock, Dhaka says no

Sri Lanka has allowed permission to the Chinese built-Pakistani guided missile frigate PNS Taimur to make a port call at Colombo while on its way to join the Pakistan Navy in Karachi. Build by Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, the warship is on its maiden voyage to Pakistan while exercising en-route with Cambodian and Malaysian navies.

AG gives undertaking not to construct new roads in Sinharaja forest

The Attorney General today gave an undertaking before Court of Appeal not to construct new roads and repair existing roads within the Sinharaja Forest Reserve.

12.5Kg LITRO gas cylinder lowered by Rs.246 from tonight

The prices of 12.5kg domestic LITRO gas cylinders will be reduced by Rs. 246 from midnight today, LITRO Lanka Chairman Muditha Peiris said.

Police seek public assistance to identify 32 suspects over forcibly entering President’s House

The Colombo Central Divisional Crime Detective Bureau (DCDB) released photographs of 32 persons seeking public assistance to identify them over forcibly entering the President’s Resident in Fort and causing damage to the property there on August 9.

Govt. permits to open 50 new LIOC filling stations

The government has permitted opening of 50 new Lanka IOC (LIOC) filling stations across the country, Lanka IOC Managing Director Manoj Gupta said.