Sri Lanka relents, asks China to defer ship visit

Sri Lanka has asked China to indefinitely delay a visit by a ship, following objections from India, official sources said on Friday.

Five arrested for pilferage of garlic from container in Ragama

Five men have been arrested over a theft of 777 kg of garlic from a container in Ragama yesterday.

UN ready to support SL to address immediate and long-term needs: UN Chief

While congratulating President Ranil Wickremesinghe, UN Secretary General António Guterres said the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be critical in bringing stability and ensuring an environment conducive to ushering Sri Lanka out of the current challenges it is facing.

Another cold blooded murder in broad daylight in Gampaha

A 20-year old youth died in a shooting incident at Kehelbaddara in Gampaha, police said.

Another visa extension to Gotabaya to stay in Singapore requested

The Sri Lanka government has reportedly requested the Singaporean government to grant another 14 days to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to stay in Singapore, informed sources said.

Controversial Chinese ship Yuan Wang 5 in Hambantota only for refueling and other facilities - Minister

Under no circumstances would Sri Lanka act detrimental to the interests of India or China as both nations have been Sri Lanka’s friends-in-need and have stood alongside Sri Lanka at all times, Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Two of three missing Sri Lankan athletes located in UK

West Midlands Police in UK have confirmed that two athletes from Sri Lanka who had mysteriously disappeared from the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham have now been located, but a third is still missing, UK’s mirror.co.uk reported.

Male corpse with hands and legs tied found in Dikowita beach

The Body of an unidentified male with both hands and legs tied was found floating in the sea near Dikowita Fishery Harbour in Wattala yesterday, police said.

Dullas-led SLPP group to support National programme

The SLPP group of MPs led by Parliamentarian Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday announced that they have decided to support a national programme agreed upon by all political parties for a temporary period.

We will not leave, send us away if possible: ’GotaGoGama’ protesters challenge

Protesters at the Galle Face main agitation site yesterday said they will not leave the ‘Gotagogama’ over any notice and challenged the law enforcement authorities to try and send them away if possible.

Petrol and Diesel sales have plummeted from March to July

Sri Lanka’s petrol and diesel sales have plummeted from March to July this year, MP Patalli Champika Ranwaka said yesterday.

Leopard crashes into house through hilly area

A leopard that roamed into the Logy estate in Lindula and frequenting a slope, had crashed into a house below through the roof.

Rising prices reduce access to food for millions in Sri Lanka: WFP

Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis since independence is spinning off a “serious food crisis,” said World Food Programme Representative and Country Director Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, while describing a toxic mix of spiking prices, shrinking crop yields, the fallout of the war in Ukraine and a lack of state funds to pay for key supplies.

New registration for QR code suspended for next 48 hours: ICTA

Obtaining the QR code under the National Fuel Pass, new registrations will be disabled during the next 48 hours, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said.

46 illegal Sri Lankan migrants deported from Australia, arrived

A total of 46 Sri Lankans repatriated from Australia were brought back to Sri Lanka onboard an Australian Border Force (ABF) vessel for the first time and disembarked at the Port of Colombo on Friday.

Social market economy need of the hour for Sri Lanka: President

Sri Lanka as a nation must step up efforts in establishing a social market economy, so that going forward the people can move forward with the assurance of sustainable growth and development, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

President raises concerns about CSE operations

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday raised concerns about the manner in which the country’s capital market, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), operates, and asserted the need for the entire system to change.

Board of Investment launches online visa recommendation system

The Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday announced the completion of the integration of the visa recommendation system which was established with the aim of further accelerating its digital transformation.

Lanka IOC records stellar performance in 1Q

Despite the operational challenges stemming from forex crisis, inflation and higher global oil prices, Lanka IOC PLC reported robust performance for the quarter ended June 30, 2022 (1Q23) with significant growth in revenue and profits.

Sri Lanka win bronze in Wrestling

18-year old Nethmi Poruthotage became Sri Lanka’s youngest ever Commonwealth Games medallist and first ever medallist in Wrestling when she beat Australia’s Irene Symeonidis in the Bronze medal match in the Women’s Freestyle 57kg category at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games a short while ago.

Commonwealth Games Boxer goes missing

A third athlete in Sri Lanka’s Commonwealth Games contingent has decamped, the fourth such individual to have gone missing from the team this week.

Violent incident near Parliament Road: Police seek public assistance to identify individuals

Police have sought public assistance to confirm the identity of the individuals who were involved in violent behaviour near Polduwa Roundabout and Parliament Road on July 14.

Sanath Jayasuriya appointed brand ambassador for tourism promotions

Former Sri Lanka’s swashbuckling opener Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the tourism promotions in Sri Lanka, the Department of Government Information said.

Bad weather suspends two night mail trains

The night mail trains operating between Colombo Fort and Badulla have been suspended today due to bad weather, the Railway Department said.

Litro gas prices to be reduced significantly on Monday - Chairman

The LITRO Gas Lanka Ltd will reduce the domestic gas prices from Monday (8) by a significant amount, LITRO Lanka Chairman Muditha Peiris said.

No powercuts this weekend: PUCSL

There will be no scheduled power cuts during this weekend (Saturday and Sunday), the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said

Schools will function three days from next week until further notice

The Education Ministry has decided to continue functioning government and government approved private schools for three days in a week from next week until further notice.

Stolen number plates of motorbikes used in recent murders: Police

Police warned people not to park their motorbikes insecurely as there is a tendency of stealing number plates by the organised criminals.

Oil prices hit lowest since Ukraine invasion amid recession fears

Global oil prices dropped on Thursday to their lowest levels since before Russia’s February invasion of Ukraine, as traders fretted over the possibility of an economic recession later this year that could torpedo energy demand.

Court refuses to make Hirunika a suspect

The Colombo Fort magistrate refused to make Hirunika Premachandra and 10 others suspects for protesting outside the presidents house on July 6.