SL in Guinness Record books for world’s largest sapphire aggregate

The star sapphire cluster weighing 503.2 kg, which was found in the Ratnapura area last year, today received the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest sapphire aggregate.

Massive drug shortage within three months: Pharmacy owners’ Assn.

A massive drug shortage is imminent as the existing backup stocks of medicines are due to be used up within three months, All-Island Private Pharmacy Owners’ Association (ACPPOA) President Chandika Gankanda said.

Central govt. ,PCs should follow one state policy: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today that the institutions under the government and the Provincial Councils should follow the same public policy when performing their duties.

Power cut re-scheduled to accommodate A/L students: Dinesh

Arrangements have been made to change the power cut schedule to minimize the inconvenience caused to those who are sitting for the GCE Advanced Level exam, Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardene informed Parliament today.

Lack of quorum brings SJB adjournment debate to abrupt end

The adjournment debate moved by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) on the current situation in the country had to be halted before the scheduled closing time as there was no quorum in Parliament today.

PUCSL approves power cuts for tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the request made by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to have rotational power shedding for tomorrow (24).

UNHRC Chief should do justice to SL: SF

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet should not disgrace the decorum of the institution of the body she represents and should do justice to Sri Lanka, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament today.

India foreign minister says willing to make investments in Sri Lanka

India’s foreign minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Wednesday the country is willing to make investments in Sri Lanka to help it ease a financial crisis.

Stop attacking, counter attacks will be dangerous: Lanza warns govt. politicians

State Minister Nimal Lanza, who was staying away from his ministerial duties due to a clash with the Ministry Secretary, today warned the government politicians who were insulting him recently, not to resort to such attacks claiming that counter attacks would be more dangerous.

Man caught selling women and girls earns over Rs. 45 million

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a 36-year-old man who had been engaged in a prostitution racket using women in various parts of the country for 18 years.

Govt. to seek assistance from oil exporting countries to buy fuel for next quarter: Gammanpila

Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila today informed Parliament that the government had called on a mèeting with ambassadors representing all oil exporting countries to seek their assistance to ensure continuous fuel supply to Sri Lanka during next three months.

SC concludes Yugadanavi power plant hearings: Order on leave to proceed reserved

The Supreme Court today reserved its order, to decide whether it proceed with the Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the legality of the agreements on Yugadanavi power plant. The Supreme Court would make an order on the matter in due course.

Constitutionality of Surcharge Tax Bill challenged in Supreme Court by SJB

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today filed a Special Determination petition in Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Surcharge Tax bill, which was placed on the order paper of Parliament on Tuesday (22).

Head-on bus collision injures 23 in Horana; two in critical condition

At least 23 individuals were injured in a head-on bus collision in Koralaima on the Horana-Colombo main road today.

Wanindu Hasaranga to miss India T20I series

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the upcoming T20I series against India, Chairman of National Cricket Selectors Pramodya Wickramasinghe told the Daily Mirror.

Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with SL: Imran Khan

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said yesterday (22) that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Sri Lanka as a reliable friend and partner.

SL settles US$ 35.3 mn for diesel shipment

The Ministry of Energy said today that it has settled US$ 35.3 million to the Singaporean company for the cargo ship that was carrying 37,500 metric tonnes of diesel docked outside the Colombo Port.

If diesel price soars, operating buses will come to halt: Gemunu

If the prices of diesel keep increasing again, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) today hinted that they will be forced to stop operating buses.

Secret deal between Ranil and Gota? UNP says no such thing

The United National Party has dismissed reports that its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is in a secret deal with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to merge the UNP and SLPP into an alliance in order to gain more parliamentary seats in a future election.

Yala incidents to be addressed

The recent incidents at the Yala National Park, which drew wide publicity on social media, will be addressed, Sri Lanka Tourism said.

Sri Lanka to ink MoU with US Dept. of Agriculture to boost milk production

Sri Lanka will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States (US) to improve the capacity of local milk production.

We have nothing to hide: Dr. Ramesh Pathirana

The government has held back only a few information and recommendations of the Presidential Commission Report on the Easter Sunday massacre, which has a direct bearing on the national security, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said.

Amendment to EPF Act enables to withdraw 30% from fund: Minister

The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Act will be amended allowing the owners to obtain 30% of their provident fund accumulation according to their needs, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said while addressing the monthly meeting of the Labour Advisory Council yesterday.

President directs to pay Rs.80 bn owed to CPC

At a special cabinet meeting held with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today evening, it was decided the government will settle an outstanding payment of Rs.80 billion owed to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation for the continuous supply of fuel.

Prevailing curbs cannot be lifted: Health Ministry

The existing COVID-19 restrictions can neither be lifted nor relaxed in the near future, given the Omicron situation in the country, the Health Ministry stressed.

Airline Pilot’s Guild again back to ’Fly the Roster’

Airline Pilot’s Guild of Sri Lanka (ALPGSL) yesterday said that they will re-launch the “Fly the Roster” campaign as the SriLankan Airlines Chairman and the management failed to address their issues, and none of them were resolved satisfactorily by the January 31, 2022.

PUCSL approves power cuts for tomorrow

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved the request made by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to have rotational power shedding for tomorrow.

Pakistan’s Imran Khan offers a TV debate with PM Modi

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said today that he would like to have a televised debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to resolve differences between the two nations.

Police summons Pushpika de Silva over attack on Chamuditha’s house

Former Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World’ Pushpika de Silva has been summoned to the Piliyandala Police to record a statement regarding the investigations into the attack on journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrema’s residence in Piliyandala.

People careless about getting booster vaccines, Prof. Jayasumana

People seem very careless about receiving their COVID-19 booster vaccines, and it was reported that not enough people are coming forward to get their COVID-19 booster vaccines, officials said.