Couple wanted over murder arrested while trying to flee to Dubai

A couple who wanted over a murder in the Mount Lavinia area had been arrested by the police at the Katunayake airport when they tried to flee to Dubai last night.

Appoint five individuals from Aragalaya campaign to Parliament: Gemunu requests prez

A request has been made to the President to appoint five individuals from the recent ’Aragalaya’ campaign to the Parliament through the national list, as it is the best way for an all-party government at this present nature, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Maximum effort should made to prevent another COVID wave; can’t afford to face such situation: GMOA

Maximum effort should be made to prevent another wave of the COVID-19 virus in the country, but we have no strength to face such a situation as we faced during the first and second COVID waves, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.

Two suspects wanted for gem theft worth over Rs. 158Mn arrested

Two suspects have been arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) in connection with the theft of a safe containing precious gemstones worth over Rs. 158 million in Cinnamon Garden, Colombo.

Finance Ministry approves to issue soft liquor licences

The President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies, has granted approval to issue soft liquor licences to all hotels and restaurants registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and tourist establishments located in areas identified by the authority.

Man shot dead in Kotahena

A 51-year-old man was shot dead last night in Kotahena, police said.

Chinese rocket falls to Earth

A Chinese rocket fell back to Earth on Saturday over the Indian Ocean but NASA said Beijing had not shared the ’specific trajectory information’ needed to know where possible debris might fall.

World Athletics U-20 Championship: Arrangements finally made to send SL team to Colombia: Harin

Arrangements were finally made to send the Sri Lanka Junior Athletics team to Colombia to take part in the World Athletics U-20 Championship, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said.

Airmail charges up from Aug.1

The postal department is to increase the charges for airmails from August 1, Postmaster General Ranjith Ariyaratne said.

Ministry requests public to send evidence of illegal fuel hoarding, selling

The Power and Energy ministry requested the public to send photo or video evidence through WhatsApp of illegal fuel hoarding or selling and other related activities to the contact number 0742123123.

Isuru Kumara wins Bronze for Sri Lanka at CCWG 2022

Weightlifter Isuru Kumara won Sri Lanka’s first medal at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, in the Men’s 55kg category.

Schools will function three days next week: Edu. Ministry

The Education Ministry will continue functioning government and government approved private schools for three days a week until next Friday (5).

Makeshift brothels crop up in Sri Lanka as economic hardship pushes women into prostitution

In Sri Lanka, which is battling a crushing economic crisis, is now facing another predicament with its women, most of them who have lost their jobs in the textile sector, now forced to become sex workers to earn a livelihood, the ANI reported.

All arrangements in place to implement QR code system from Aug.1

All arrangements set to implement the QR code system under the National Fuel Pass portal from August 1, Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) Chairman Jayantha de Silva said.

Decision to function schools during the week will be announced today

A discussion will be held today at the ministry whether to function schools during five days of the week or not with the current transport issues, the Education Ministry sources said.

Police hunt 8 more suspects over MP Amarakeerthi Athukorala’s murder

The police yesterday released several photographs of eight suspects who are wanted over the slaying of former parliamentarian Amarakeerthi Athukorala and his security officer, with the view of seeking public assistance to apprehend them.

China defends military ship’s planned visit to SL as India voices concern

China said on Friday it hoped “relevant parties” would refrain from interfering with its legitimate maritime activities, after New Delhi voiced concern over a Chinese military ship’s planned visit to a port in India’s southern neighbour Sri Lanka.

Australia reveals four asylum seeker boats with 125 Lankans intercepted in June

Four people-smuggling boats from Sri Lanka have been intercepted in Australian waters as economic unrest grows in the south-east Asian country.

Law related to Contempt of Court to be amended : Bandula

The Law Commission of Sri Lanka has studied the matter and prepared preliminary drafts with a view to introducing appropriate laws

Oil and gas exploration delays in Mannar basin to cost SL over US $ 1bn in FDI

The long-delayed Mannar basin M2 block (exploration and production) tender and commencement of exploration work by the selected bidder for the M1 and C1 July 2019 tender could cost Sri Lanka over a billion dollars in foreign direct investment (FDI).

Merchandise export earnings top US $ 1.2bn in June

The earnings from merchandise exports expanded by 20 percent year-on-year (YoY) in the month of June, fetching foreign exchange earnings amounting to US $ 1,208 million.

Two police teams raid FSP headquarters in Nugegoda; search for Wasantha Mudalige

The group had entered the party’s head office at Melder Place in Nugegoda at around 7.30am yesterday and had started searching the premises without giving any reasons for doing so

China assures support to SL at IMF Board Meetings

The importance of further strengthening the existing economic, agricultural and cultural relations between China and Sri Lanka in the face of the current economic crisis was emphasized

Prez invites all MPs to join all-party programme

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has extended an invitation to all the Members of Parliament to join a National All Party programme to create economic and social stability in the country, President’s Media Division said.

Male body found in Galle Face beach

The body of an unidentified young man was washed ashore on the Galle Face beach this evening, police said.

Legendary Trotskyist Wije Dias no more

Socialist Equality Party’s (SEP) Chairperson Wije Dias died of a severe heart attack on Wednesday at the age of 81 . Mr. Dias was a member of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site WSWS.org, the global publication of the ICFI.

Negotiations between Govt. and IMF highly successful-PMD

The government has made significant progress in negotiation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with the objective of obtaining the assistance of the IMF to alleviate the economic issues and establish good economic practices in the country, the Presidential Media Division said.

SJB disassociates itself from SF’s call for August 9 final battle

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has not made any decision to participate in a protest which is claimed to be the final battle against the corrupt politicians on August 9 although party Chairman Sarath Fonseka had claimed he and others will participate in it, an SJB MP said today.

Pathum Kerner remanded till August 4

Social media activist Pathum Kerner arrested in connection with the recent violent incidents during a protest at Polduwa Junction remanded till August 4 after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Cases against Gota should resume after his return: JVP

The cases which were filed against former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa should resume soon after he returned to the country as his presidential immunity is no longer intact, Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Vijitha Herath said today.