Govt. to advertise Mannar basin plots for oil exploration

The government plans to advertise identified plots in the Mannar basin for further studies on oil exploration based on the research concluded in the area last year.

All parties should support the proposed 21A : UNP Deputy Leader

All parties should support the proposed 21st amendment which will curtail presidential powers as that is what the general public and those who are staging continuous protests are requesting for, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said today.

Kush worth Rs.23.8Mn seized at Central Mail Exchange

A stock of special Cannabis variety ‘Kush’ which came in ten parcels from four western countries, valued at Rs.23.8 million, was seized by Customs officials at the Central Mail Exchange (CME) today.

New secretaries appointed to 23 ministries

New secretaries were appointed to twenty-three ministries by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Container freight rates up by 35%: Assn.

All Island Container Transport Owners’ Federation (AICTOF) today decided to increase container freight transport rates by 35%, AICTOF chairman Sanath Manjula said.

Ready to accept FM only under national government: Dr. Harsha

SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva said today he was ready to accept the Ministry of Finance if a national government was formed with the participation of all political parties representing Parliament.

CPC, LIOC amend fuel pumping limit for vehicles

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Lanka IOC (LIOC) today amended the limit of fuel issued for vehicles.

Ministry Secretaries to be appointed later today

The Secretaries to the ministries of the new government will be appointed later today.

Drugs worth more than Rs. 6 Bn face quality issues due to improper storage: COPA

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has disclosed that Rs. 6,259 million worth of drugs are facing quality failure issues from 2011 to 2020 due to improper storage.

Mahinda has not asked for a safe haven in Maldives - Nasheed

Former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed who is presently in Sri Lanka, said former prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had not sought a safe haven in the Maldives and he had not met Rajapaksa during his current visit in the country.

Fuel price hike make canteens, bakeries to halt: Assn.

The All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) and All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said that their industries have come to a standstill with the increase in price of fuel.

Cricketer Kamil Mishara recalled from Bangladesh tour

Sri Lankan cricketer Kamil Mishara has been recalled from Bangladesh, where he is part of Sri Lanka’s Test squad, following a breach of tour rules.

Protest underway near CID calling for Johnston’s arrest

A protest is being held outside the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) building in Fort urging the officials to arrest former minister Johnston Fernando over the incidents at Kollupitiya and Galle Face Green on May 9.

19.5% bus fare hike from tonight

The National Transport Commission (NTC) today announced a fare increase of 19.5 per cent with effect from tonight, NTC Director General Commander (Rtd) Nilan Miranda said.

WHO assures support to overcome medical crisis

World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr. Alaka Singh called on Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today (24) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo and assured him of the organization’s full support to overcome Sri Lanka’s medical crisis.

Kimarli Fernando resigns as Tourism Chief, slamming Harin

Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism, Kimarli Fernando tendered her resignation to Tourism Minister Harin Fernando today, claiming that she could not meet the Minister to review progress and discuss matters related to the Tourism Industry.

2021 Grade five scholarship exam: Cut-off marks released

The Examinations Department today released the cut-off marks for the enrolment of students into Grade six next year, based on the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Spouse living in adultery disentitled to maintenance: SC

The Supreme Court in a recent judgement held that a wife living in adultery at the time of filing the maintenance application is not entitled to maintenance in terms of the proviso to section 2(1) of the Maintenance Act.

Johnston Fernando arrives at CID

Former Minister Johnston Fernando arrived at the CID a short while ago to record a statement over the incidents took place at Kollupitiya and Galle Face Green on May 9.

Did Nasheed meet Mahinda to offer him a safe haven in Maldives?

The Maldives Journal has learned that the speaker of the Maldivian Parliament, President Mohamed Nasheed is presently brokering safe passage for beleaguered former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his family.

Circular to advise public sector to bring only essential employees to workplaces

The Public Administration and Management Ministry today said that they are to issue a new circular to the heads of departments to summon the employees whose presence at workplaces is absolutely found necessary.

Three-Wheelers hike fares; 1st km Rs.100, 2nd km Rs.80

With the increase of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) fuel prices from early this morning, the All-Island Three-Wheeler Drivers’ Union (AITWDU) lamented that there will be an increase in the three-wheeler fare.

Bus fare to go up after 12.00 noon: LPBOA

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) said that they are going to increase the bus fare after 12.00 noon today.

Sri Lanka picks Lazard, Clifford Chance as advisers for landmark debt restructuring -sources

Sri Lanka has hired heavyweight financial and legal advisers Lazard and Clifford Chance as it prepares for the difficult task of renegotiating its debts, a trio of sources told Reuters on Monday.

LIOC increases fuel prices

The Lanka IOC (LIOC) today claimed that they also increased the fuel prices on par with the price increase by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) with effect from 3.00 am today.

Fuel prices up after cabinet approves price formula

Prices of fuel have been increased from 3.00 am today soon after the fuel pricing formula has been approved by the cabinet ministers, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

National inflation hits record high of 34% in April

The national consumer prices rose 33.8 percent in April over the same month in 2021, accelerating from 21.5 percent in March, as the after effects of the rupee weakness against the dollar sent shock waves across consumer markets, resulting in a multifold increase in the prices of everything from essentials to discretionary to durables.

Advocata welcomes PM’s call to privatise SriLankan

Colombo-based free market think tank Advocata Institute yesterday welcomed Prime Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe’s recent statement that SriLankan Airlines should be privatised.

Central Bank says providing tax-related incentives to migrant workers pervasive

Portraying how perverse it is for the migrant workers to expect for myriad benefits from the taxes paid by the resident Sri Lankans, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the migrants should neither expect nor must be entertained with such incentives associated with taxes, as it tantamounts to injustice meted out to those who pay taxes at home.

DIG in charge of CID transferred

The DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) W. Thilakaratne has been transferred.