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.

New Omicron sub-variant most contagious, immune-evasive: Medical expert warns

Medical expert warned people to obtain the booster dose of the Covid vaccine, mask up at least indoors and get tested if anyone is symptomatic as world is experiencing one of the largest COVID waves of the pandemic fueled by the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant.

SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva stresses need for all party government

While calling for an all party or multi party government, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr.Harsha de Silva today said Sri Lanka’ will slide further as a nation.

Liberal Fellowship withdraws from Galle Face Protest

The organization called Liberal Fellowship said they have decided to withdraw from Galle Face protests as the common goal of the protests has been blurred by the use of the Galle Face protests by a few groups and individuals to popularize their personal political ideologies.

British High Commissioner calls on President

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Sarah Hulton called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (28),Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

Ruwan Wijewardena appointed Presidential Advisor on Climate Change

Deputy Leader of the United National Party Ruwan Wijewardane has been appointed as Presidential Advisor on Climate Change, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

China says its loans, projects boosted SL’s economy

China on Thursday defended its massive infrastructure ventures and investments in crisis-hit Sri Lanka and said that they have ’’boosted’’ its economic development, amid criticism from the US of Beijing’s unproductive projects and opaque loan deals among the reasons for the country’s bankruptcy.

No plans to offer financing to SL until adequate macroeconomic policy framework in place: WB

While claiming that it is deeply concerned about the dire economic situation and its impact on the people of Sri Lanka, the World Bank said that “until an adequate macroeconomic policy framework is in place, the World Bank does not plan to offer new financing to Sri Lanka.”

Man who stole President’s flag and used as bed sheet, arrested

A 54-year old man who stole the President’s flag on 09 July from the President’s Residence had been arrested after he surrendered to the Dam Street Police.

Over 6mn people over 20 years of age haven’t received booster vaccines: Dr. Ginige

More than six million people in the country who are over 20 years of age have not received the COVID booster vaccines, the Health MInistry said.

Pilot program to allocate bicycle lanes for users from today in Colombo

The Colombo Muncipal Council (CMC) is to launch a pilot program to allocate a separate lane for bicycle users today, as there is a considerable increase in the use of push bicycles due to the current fuel and transport issues.

4,479,376 users registered for fuel pass at 826 fuel stations: Ministry

A total of 826 fuel stations across the country have experimented the National Fuel Pass platform while registering 4,479,376 users for their fuel quota, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

25-ton Chinese rocket debris will fall to Earth around July 31, experts predict

The newest piece of big Chinese space junk will fall back to Earth around the end of the month, experts predict.

Young woman died and her sister injured in train mishap in Wellawatta

A 20-year old woman had died and her sister was injured after they were hit by a moving train in Wellawatta last night, police said.

Govt. initiates talks for all-party govt.

The government initiated negotiations with the parties in the opposition yesterday in a bid to form what is called ‘an all-party’ government.