Qingdao Seawin breaks silence, says Sri Lanka will be taken to FAO over false claims

China’s Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group, the fertilizer company caught in the midst of controversy with Sri Lanka’s Agriculture Ministry has warned to lodge a complaint against Sri Lanka at the FAO of the United Nations, if the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) does not rectify its report over the company’s organic fertiliser, which it has called ‘inaccurate’, causing loss of reputation and goodwill.

Could have been averted if NBRO recommendation had been followed

The disastrous situation in the Lower Kadugannawa area could have been averted if the NBRO’S prior recommendations in 1999 were followed by the relevant authorities, top NBRO official yesterday said.

Australia beat New Zealand to win T20 World Cup

Australia won their maiden T20 World Cup title as they defeated New Zealand in the final by 8 wickets.

Excise Chief orders spree of countrywide detections

In a strict responsive measure, the Chief of Excise has ordered a spree of detections to be conducted countrywide in the coming weeks, to address the mushrooming illicit liquor industry that thrived during the recent Covid lockdowns.

697 more fresh COVID-19 cases reported

A total of 697 more COVID-19 patients have been detected within today,the Government Information Department said.

8000 Covid patients treated at Navinna Ayurveda, no deaths: State Minister

As many as 8000 Covid-19 patients sought treatment at Ayurveda hospital in Navinna, Maharagama but none of them succumbed to the disease, a minister said.

Sapugaskanda refinery to be shut for first time as no crude oil

The Sapugaskanda oil refinery will shut down tomorrow for the first time in history due to a shortage of crude oil, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation’s (CPC) Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya wing (JSS) Secretary Ananda Palitha said.

SLFP to contest as a single party

Anuradhapura District Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) branch passed a resolution that the SLFP should contest the next elections as a single party regardless of victory or defeat.

Wanted criminal ’Athurugiriya Ladiya’ arrested in Bengaluru

The Crime Branch-CID police from Coimbatore arrested Chanuka Thananayaka alias Ladiya alias Ladim, 38, a close aide of Sri Lankan underworld don Angoda Lokka, from Bengaluru on Saturday.

Sajith condemns Basil’s remarks on public service

Condemning the remarks made by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that public service is a burden to the nation, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa today alleged that the government is preparing to dissolve the public service in Sri Lanka, either directly or by indirect means.

One lane of Pahala Kadugannawa area to be opened tomorrow

One lane of the Pahala Kadugannawa area on the Colombo-Kandy main road will be opened after 12 p.m. tomorrow, Kegalle District Secretary Mahinda S. Weerasooriya said.

Introducing changes to scholarship, O/L & A/L exam papers: Ministry

The Ministry of Education has decided to make some changes in the preparation of Scholarship, G.C.E. O/L and A/L examination papers.

Alleged discrimination against LGBTIQ community by police: Civil society activists seeks Court’s intervention

Ten civil society activists have filed a writ petition in the Court of Appeal challenging the ever-rising abuse, harassment and discrimination against individuals of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) community, at the hands of the Police.

SJB to proceed with mass protest despite ban: Madduma Bandara

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is to go ahead with its planned mass protest on Tuesday November 16 despite the ban on mass gathering, party seniors said.

Vehicle import ban to continue for 6-7 months

The vehicle import ban, which has been in effect since March last year, is expected to continue for another six to seven months, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance SR Attygalle said.

Colombo Development Symposium presents the Future of the Sri Lankan Economy

The Colombo Development Symposium presenting, the Future of the Sri Lankan Economy will kick off in Colombo tomorrow with Secretary to the President Dr. P. B. Jayasundera delivering the keynote address, focusing on charting the country’s path forward following the reading of the National Budget for the year 2022.

COVID-19: Country is heading into a dark period?

With the number of cases and deaths showing a marginal increase day by day despite vaccination, Health authorities warn of a dark period ahead if the situation is not nipped in the bud.

You’re one of most important players in Lankan cricket history: Muttiah tells Mahela

Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan has called his former teammate and the ICC’s latest Hall of Fame inductee Mahela Jayawardene one of the game’s ’’great thinkers’’.

Six arrested for digging gold buried during war in Mannar

Six suspects have been arrested for digging for gold suspected to be buried during the war in Mannar, police said.

Cache of ammo found in Dist. Judge’s land in Baddegama

A cache of live ammunition was recovered in a land belonging to the Elpitiya District Judge in Baddegama.

22 more COVID-19 deaths reported

A total of 22 more COVID-19 related deaths that occurred yesterday (12) were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services today pushing the death toll to 13,972.

Natural disasters claim 106 deaths so far this year: Chamal

A total number of 106 deaths have been reported due to natural disasters so far this year while the death toll due to natural disasters stood at 62 last year, National Security and Disaster Management State Minister Chamal Rajapaksa said today.

Mahela Jayawardene & two other cricketers inducted into ICC Hall of Fame

Mahela Jayawardene, Janette Brittin and Shaun Pollock have been announced as the newest inductees into the prestigious ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

381 more COVID-19 patients recover

A total of 381 more COVID-19 patients recovered and were discharged from hospital increasing the total number of recoveries in Sri Lanka to 523,503 , the Health Ministry said.

Special raid in WP net over 600 suspects

A total of 628 suspects have been arrested in possession of drugs and illicit liquor during a 4-hour special raid conducted in the Western Province yesterday.

Special railway goods carriage to transport food crops: Minister

Steps were being taken to transport food crops such as vegetables by train to minimise damage in transit, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said today.

Accomplice of ’Bloemendal Sanka’ arrested with Italian-made revolver

An accomplice of organized criminal Sanka Shirantha alias Bloemendal Sanka, had been arrested with an Italian-made revolver by the STF during a raid at Pannipitiya in Maharagama.

Revised excise levies announced

The Excise notification has been issued by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa amending the excise duty with effect from November 13, as per the 2022 budget.

Budget nothing but a damp squib: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa who commented on the budget said it was a budget with characteristics of Somalia. He said the budgetary proposals had been formulated in a manner that would drive the country down the path of disaster instead of resurrecting it from the present mess.

Govt. to seek foreign funding for green bond

The government plans to initiate talks with foreign parties to obtain green bond financing facilities to fund green ongoing projects, to meet the country’s climate commitments and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.