Only SLFP, its leadership will regain lost faith in political system: Daham

Claiming that people have lost faith in the political systems in the country over the years, former President Maithripala Sirisena’s son Daham Sirisena said today it was only the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and its leader had an action plan to rebuild the country.

Supreme Examinations for monks should be recognized globally: Edu. Minister

The time has come to intervene to bring the supreme examinations for venerable monks to internationally accepted standards, Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said.

Naval, fishing communities advised not to venture into sea until further notice: Met Dept.

Due to low-pressure area is currently formed in the sea area off the eastern coast of the island, naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankesanturai until further notice, the Meteorology Department said.

Govt. to provide free tea plants to potential growers from next year: Plantation Minister

Tea plants will be provided free of charge to any grower who wishes to engage in tea plantation from next year, Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana said in a media briefing today.

Provide relief for private bus owners to restart services: Minister tells NTC Head

Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi today instructed the National Transport Commission (NTC) Chairman to provide all possible relief for private bus owners to restart bus service.

DIG in charge of CID replaced

DIG in charge of the CID Prasad Ranasinghe has been transferred from the post to the Police Headquarters and DIG in charge of the Matara and Hambantota Districts W. Tilakaratne has been appointed as the DIG in charge of the CID with immediate effect.

Moody’s further downgrades Sri Lanka to Caa2

Moody’s Investors Servicehas today downgraded the Government of Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign currency issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to Caa2 from Caa1 under review for downgrade, concluding a review for downgrade initiated on July 19, 2021.

SLMA warns of another COVID wave; writes to President

Lessons learnt from the recent outbreaks in countries such as the UK, Singapore and Israel compel Sri Lanka to believe that another wave is imminent, particularly in a situation where the restriction of movement has been lifted, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) warned.

Fr. Cyril Gamini requests a week to study case against him at CID

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando who was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Division ( CID) to record a statement over a complaint lodged by the Director General of State Intelligence Services, has informed the CID that he needs a week to study the case.

Speaker certifies Youthful Offenders, Penal Code (Amendment) bills

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has endorsed the certificate on the Youthful Offenders (Training schools) (Amendment)bill and the Penal Code (Amendment) bill, Communications Department of Parliament said.

Organic fertilizer shipment won’t be accepted: Minister

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa informed the Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka that the organic fertilizer shipment sent by the Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group will not be accepted, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said.

Prof. Malavige appointed WHO technical advisory committee member

Head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Prof. Neelika Malavige has been appointed as a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) technical advisory committee on COVID-19.

Let the children focus on their schooling: Paediatrician

Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera today requested parents to act responsibly and to give priority to schooling activities for their children other than taking them to public gatherings or excursions

ICC allows Sri Lanka’s beloved, noisy papare bands play at T20 World Cup in Dubai

The infectious music of the wildly popular Sri Lankan papare bands will soon be heard at the T20 World Cup.

Final rites of Ven. Kusaladhamma Thera with full state honours

The final rites of Most Ven. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera will be held with full state honours, Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry said.

Sri Lankan choreographs dance routines in new Marvel film 'Eternals'

Nileeka Bose nee Gunawardene, who we featured in the Hi! Magazine a few years ago, can now reveal that she was the Choreographer for Marvels new film ‘Eternals’. Fast becoming one the UK’s most prominent choreographers, Nileeka’s dance company is in high demand to perform at weddings and events across UK and Europe.

Colombo Chief Magistrate orders CID probe

Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala ordered the CID to probe the complaint of Government Intelligence unit head Suresh Salay against Rev.fr Cyril Gamini and some others over remarks made on him during an online briefing addressing the international community alleging that the government Intelligence Unit had funded and aided and abetted Thawheed Jamath leader Zaharan Hashim.

SJB will not allow anyone to make SL a playing fiels in geopolitics

The SJB will not allow anyone to make Sri Lanka a playing field in geopolitics, Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

Most Ven. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera passes away

Vidyalankara Parivenadipathi, Kelaniya University Chancellor Most Ven. Velamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Thera passed away at the age of 84.

CB issues fresh warning to public on financial scams

The Central Bank this week issued a fresh warning to the public to be on alert on financial scams.

Italy now allows essential purpose travel from Sri Lanka

The Italian authorities have announced that travellers from Brazil, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka reaching the country for essential purposes are no longer banned since the countries have been moved to List E.

Island wide sand distribution to be brought under BMC from next year: Amaraweera

While taking measures to stop the exploitation of sand by middlemen, the environment ministry has decided to carry out the island wide sand distribution under the Building Materials Corporation (BMC) from next year.

How arrivals can now complete the health declaration at BIA in 20 seconds

The government yesterday said that the new health declaration system inaugurated at the BIA was one of its kind which would enable passenger to complete fulfilling their health declaration in 20 seconds to proceed to clear immigration.

SLC stance unchanged on cricketers taking a knee

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has not changed its position regarding its players ‘taking a knee’ and expects them to not participate in the gesture during the T20 World Cup, in keeping with a previously issued directive.

Shakthika’s FR petition challenging his arrest and detention fixed for argument

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by award-winning writer Shakthika Sathkumara challenging his arrest and detention over an allegation that he propagated religious hatred through a short story titled ’’Ardha’’ (Half) has been fixed for argument by Supreme Court.

Police to offer Rs.2.5 mn reward for information on main Mulleriyawa suspect

The Police Headquarters announced that a Rs. 2.5 million cash reward will be awarded for any information on the main suspect in the shooting incident in which a 42-year-old man was killed and another was injured when a gunman on a motorbike opened fire at them at Kotikawatte in Mulleriyawa on Monday.

CEB Trade Union warns of strike similar to the one in 1996

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) United Trade Union Alliance today warned that there would be trade union action on November 3 similar to the 72-hour trade union action experienced in 1996.

SL understands importance of maintaining balance between environment and human needs: Prez

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that Sri Lanka, with its rich philosophical heritage shaped by the teachings of the Buddha, fully understands the importance of balancing environmental boundaries with human needs.

Parties currently not in Parliament will join UPFA by Nov. - Amaraweera

All parties that are not currently represented in Parliament will join the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) by November 11, UPFA General Secretary and Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Discussions in making vaccine cards mandatory underway: Health Ministry

The matter with regard to making the vaccination card mandatory when entering public places is being discussed by relevant stakeholders, the Health Ministry said.