Poultry farm fire kills over 8,000 chicken at Kotadeniyawa

Some 8,209 chicken were killed following a fire which broke out at a poultry farm in Waradala, Kotadeniyawa this morning, the Police said.

Five suspects in Badulla Prison injured in a clash

Five suspects detained at the Badulla Prison have been admitted to the Badulla Hospital following a clash broke out among them, the Prisons Department said.

Five DIGs including Crimes Division transferred

Five Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)s including DIG in charge of Crimes Division have been transferred with immediate effect, police said.

Punjab to conduct slain Lankan’s trial on daily basis

The provincial government of Pakistan’s Punjab region has decided to conduct the trial pertaining to the mob lynching of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot, on a daily basis.

Pre-departure COVID-19 testing of children below 12 years removed: CAASL

Travellers aged twelve years and above in Sri Lanka should carry a negative COVID-19 PCR test report in English done within 72 hours prior to embarkation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said.

Navy seizes another foreign fishing vessel with 250kg heroin in international waters

A foreign fishing vessel carrying more than 250kg of heroin had been seized by the Sri Lanka Navy along with six suspects during a special operation conducted in international waters.

It is not correct to force someone to convert dollars into rupees: Sajith

Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged the government to withdraw the gazette notification under which it has made conversion of dollars held by investors and those who remit funds to Sri Lanka, into rupees mandatory.

Population, household census next year: PM

The population and the household census which was to be conducted in 2021 will be done in the years 2022/2023, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa told Parliament yesterday.

Nine dolphins washed ashore in sea off Alampil, Mullaitivu

The carcasses of nine Dolphins had been lashed ashore in the sea off Alampil in Mullaitivu on Thursday morning (09).

Foreign currency salary earners up in arms over conversions by banks

Sri Lanka’s service exporters, including resident Sri Lankans, who receive their earnings in foreign currencies through the banking channels, have started to protest against the conversions of their foreign currency earnings by banks, under the new export proceeds repatriation rules imposed by the Central Bank (CB).

Tourism Ministry announces special programme to attract private jets and int’l airlines to MRIA

The Tourism Ministry will launch a special programme to increase the number of international airlines and private jets landing at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), as an attempt to lure tourists to the southeast region of the country.

US imposes sanctions on two more SL military officers

The United States imposed human right-related sanctions on two more Sri Lankan military officials under Section 7031(c), gross violation of human rights, the US State Department announced on Friday.

SL won’t seek assistance from anyone; will stabilize foreign reserves on its own: Basil

Sri Lanka will stabilize its foreign reserves on its own and will not seek any assistance from anyone, Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa told Parliament today.

2022 Budget passed with majority of 93 votes

The third reading of the 2022 Budget was passed in Parliament today with a majority of 93 votes.

Ban on inbound visitors from six African countries lifted

The ban imposed on the inbound passengers from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini was lifted with immediate effect, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) said

Priyantha Kumara case: Special prosecution team from Lahore to visit Sialkot

On Friday, a special prosecution team from Lahore will meet officials of the Sialkot police in the high-profile case of Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara who was lynched by a mob.

SL women cricket team stranded in Zimbabwe returns

The Sri Lanka women’s cricket team returned to Sri Lanka today after having been stranded for 12 days in Zimbabwe due to Covid-19.

Opposition Leader donates Rs.2mn for children of Sialkot victim

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has made two financial donations of Rs. 1 million each for the education of the two children of Priyantha Kumara, who was subject to a gruesome murder in Sialkot, Pakistan.

Vaccination card to be made mandatory when entering public places

The Special Committee on COVID-19 Control today decided to make the vaccination card mandatory when entering public places in the future,President’s Media Division(PMD) said.

Agreement signed with another Company violating Cabinet approval: Anura

The Government had signed the agreement with regard to the Yugadanavi Power Plant with a Company called “NFE Sri Lanka Power Holdings” a Holding Company affiliated to the New Fortress Energy, going against the Cabinet approval, National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed today.

18-hour water cut in several areas in Colombo

An 18-hour water cut will be imposed in Colombo 12, 13, 14 and 15 from 12 midnight on Saturday (11) to 6 p.m. on Sunday (12), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

No power cuts from today

No power cuts will be experienced in any part of the country from today, the Ministry of Power and Energy said.

Church of Ceylon expresses concern on many distressing developments in SL

In its message on International Human Rights Day, the Bishops of the Church and the Church of Ceylon expressed concern on many distressing developments in Sri Lanka that have undermined the important provision in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Plantations continue to face obstacles in obtaining fertiliser even after lifting import ban

While welcoming the lifting of the ban on fertiliser imports, the Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) yesterday pointed out that the country’s plantation sector has been significantly impacted by the policy and is now faced with practical challenges in securing fertiliser.

CB initiates regulatory action against errant money changers

In response to several complaints that certain authorized money changers are engaged in activities which are not in compliance with the Directions issued under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 12 of 2017 (FEA), the Central Bank said it is conducting a series of spot examinations to strengthen the monitoring and supervision of these entities.

New Zealand to ban cigarettes for future generations

New Zealand will ban the sale of tobacco to its next generation, in a bid to eventually phase out smoking.

University registrations extended till Dec. 16: UGC Chairman

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to extend the closing date of accepting online applications for university admission, UGC Chairman Sampath Amarathunga said.

Colombo Chief Magistrate dismisses case against three gay men for homosexuality

The Colombo Chief Magistrate has dismissed a case filed against three gay men for homosexuality.

Govt. continues to amend governing fiscal law to suit its agenda: Verité Research

The credibility of the government is significantly undermined as authorities continue to fail in adhering to the governing fiscal law of the country, the Colombo-based economic think-tank Verité Research said in their latest report.

Veteran film director Sunil Soma Peiris passes away

Veteran film director Sunil Soma Peiris has passed away at the age of 72.