Gazette issued making public services essential

An extraordinary gazette notification was issued considering the necessity of the services provided by any Public Corporation or Government as essential public services.

Silver for Sri Lanka in Men’s Para Discus

Sri Lanka’s Palitha Bandara won Silver in the Men’s Discus Throw F42-44/61-64 Para Athletics event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on Thursday morning.

Yupun Abeykoon wins Commonwealth Games bronze

Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon won Bronze in the Men’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, clocking a time of 10.14 secs.

Govt. told to use household electricity consumption to determine welfare eligibility

The leading economists of the Verite Research Sri Lanka Economic Policy Group (SLEPG) called on the relevant authorities to steer away from using Samurdhi as a determinant of eligibility for welfare benefits and instead, consider electricity consumption for targeting vulnerable groups, as it is a superior method.

Ex-IGP Wickramaratne appointed as Chairman of Sanasa Life Insurance

Retired Inspector General of Police Dr. Jayantha Wickramaratne has been appointed as the new Chairman of Sanasa Life Insurance Company PLC.

India expects US $ 8-9bn in trade with Russia and Sri Lanka in two months

India expects bilateral trade worth US $ 8-9 billion with Russia and Sri Lanka in the next two months after it allowed international trade in rupees, India’s trade secretary said.

Joseph Stalin arrested

The General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers’ Union Joseph Stalin had been arrested by the Police.

Protesters at Galle Face ordered to vacate the area before 5 pm on Friday

The Fort Police has informed the protestors illegally occupying the Galle Face Green and surrounding areas to vacate from their protest sites before 5 pm on Friday (5), the police media unit said.

SJB accepts President’s invitation for discussion on political reforms

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa in a letter addressed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe had informed that his party the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has accepted the invitation extended by the latter for a discussion on political reforms.

Another athlete goes missing at Commonwealth Games

A third individual who was a part of Sri Lanka’s contingent at the 22nd Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England has gone missing, team management said today (3).

Heightened crackdown on dissent in SL - Human Rights Watch

The Sri Lankan government is using emergency regulations to harass and arbitrarily detain activists seeking political reform and accountability for the country’s economic crisis, Human Rights Watch said today.

NPP will not join all-party govt: AKD

The National People’s Power (NPP) was not ready to join any all-party government that was formed with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Rajapaksa camp, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Travel ban on MR, Basil extended till August 11

The Supreme Court today extended the travel ban imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa until August 11.

British woman’s passport seized over posting over protest in Colombo

The passport of a British national who posted about the protests at Galle Face has been seized by the Immigration and Emigration officers yesterday.

President should walk the talk: Sajith

Saying though they could see more positive aspects in President’s policy statement, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today they were ready to support the joint all-party action plan through Parliament committees without accepting ministry portfolios.

Law will be applied to people who attacked protesters on May 9, those engaging in violence, terrorism: Prez

The law will be applied equally to the people who attacked the peaceful protesters on May 9 and those who are engaging in violence and terrorism under the guise of the struggle, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Discussions with IMF to continue this month: Prez

Discussions with International Monetary Fund (IMF) would continue this month and expected to conclude staff level negotiations expeditiously and successfully, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Payments for Diesel Cargo settled, discharging today: Ministry

The Power and Energy Minister today said that payment for a diesel cargo has been made yesterday and the discharging process begins today.

2021 A/L exam results will be released this month: Com. Gen.

The examination department is to release the results of the 2021 A/L Examination before the end of this month, Examination Department Commissioner General L.M.D. Dharmasena said.

Heavy rains over 100mm expected in several areas: Met Dept.

Heavy rains exceeding 100 mm is expected in some parts of the country due to the active Southwest Monsoon, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Immediate government assistance sought to avoid paralysis of tea exports

The Sri Lanka Tea Board (SLTB) along with industry stakeholders seeks a well-coordinated and synergised mechanism from the government....

July sees over 47, 000 tourist arrivals

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka edged up to 47, 293 in July compared to 32, 856 arrivals in June, though down from the peak of 106, 500 arrivals.....

Man who sat on President’s chair arrested

A person who illegally entered the President’s House in Fort on July 9 and took photographs while sitting on the President’s chair was arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division in Deraniyagala.

Ahead of arrival of Chinese vessel in Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu to scale up security along the coast

After an alert from the Union government on the scheduled arrival of Yuan Wang 5, a Chinese research vessel at Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port on August 11, the Tamil Nadu police have decided to scale up security at vital installations along the coastline.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed makes phone call to Sri Lankan President

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has made a phone call to the President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, congratulating him on his election as the country’s new president.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lands in Taiwan amid threats of Chinese retaliation

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi landed in Taipei on Tuesday, marking a significant show of support for Taiwan despite China’s threats of retaliation over the visit.

Norway concerned about crisis in Sri Lanka: Norwegian Foreign Minister

Norway is concerned about the food and nutrition crisis witnessed in Sri Lanka, Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt said.

Accelerate vaccination rollout to combat COVID pandemic: Health Minister

As there is an escalation in the COVID pandemic spread in the country, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella advised the officials to accelerate the vaccination programme to control the situation.

Register with Fuel Pass Portal, avoid using illegal means to get fuel: ICTA director

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) today requested the public to register with the new Fuel Pass System as early as they can, and not to misuse the system to obtain fuel by illegal means.

First person who forcibly entered President’s Secretariat remanded till Aug. 5

The first person, who forcibly entered the Presidential Secretariat on July 9 was remanded till August 5 after being produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate.