Yohani returns from India

Sri Lankan singer, songwriter, rapper, music producer and financial specialist, who became popular in many countries around the world, returned to the country after taking part in several concerts in India.

President never said that ‘he failed’

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa never said that ‘he failed’ as interpreted by certain media but admitted that he and the cabinet were not able to fulfill fully the aspirations of 6.9 million who voted him into Presidency, Cabinet spokesman, Mass Media Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said yesterday.

Issuing vehicle revenue licenses suspended for two weeks in WP

It has been decided to suspend the issuing of vehicle revenue licenses in the Western Province for a period of two weeks from today (13) till October 26.

Current restrictions likely to be extended until Oct. 31

The restrictions which are scheduled to be lifted from October 16 are likely to remain in effect until October 31, sources said.

Sri Lanka explores possibility of using Merck’s Oral antiviral pill

Sri Lanka is exploring the possibility of using the oral antiviral pill developed by the pharmaceutical giant ‘Merck’ for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, Daily Mirror learns.

Order on Cabraal’s preliminary objections reserved for Nov. 3

The Court of Appeal yesterday reserved for November 3 to deliver its order regarding the preliminary objections raised by newly appointed Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and Attorney General challenging the maintainability of the writ petition.

Mendis, Gunathilaka and Dickwella allowed to play club cricket

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has rescinded the domestic cricket ban handed to Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella, subject to the players paying their respective fines.

65 arrested while waiting to migrate illegally

Police have arrested 65 persons including a 4-year old girl who were staying at a hotel in Trincomalee to migrate illegally to a foreign country by sea, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.

Govt. can do nothing about fluctuations in prices of certain goods: Dilan

SLPP MP Dilan Perera said today not only this government but any government could do nothing about fluctuations in prices of certain goods.

Excise Dept. denies social media reports; wine stores close only on Vap Poya Day

The Excise Department refuted social media reports that all liquor outlets in the country will be closed for two days on October 19 and 20.

Bathiudeen brothers’ FR petitions fixed for further support

The Fundamental Rights petitions filed by Bathiudeen brothers seeking an order to release them forthwith from the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) were today fixed for further support by the Supreme Court.

Teacher-Principal TUs to convey their stance tomorrow: Stalin

Teachers and principals trade unions which met Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today is expected to convey their stance tomorrow following a discussion with their trade unions, General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers’ Union Joseph Stalin.

COVID vaccine: University students too show reluctance

There is still hesitancy shown by youth in getting COVID-19 vaccination and in particular, the university students have also been hesitant to get themselves vaccinated, Health officials pointed out.

Sri Lanka expresses interest to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

Sri Lanka is among the countries which has reportedly expressed interest to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the BBC reported.

Arms seizure: Indian NIA seeks info from Sri Lanka under treaty

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has sought information about suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) members from Sri Lanka under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) as part of the probe into the seizure of five AK 47 rifles from a foreign vessel off the Kerala coast in March this year.

Draft Bill on extending retirement age of private sector employees to be presented in Parliament

The Cabinet approval was granted to present in Parliament the minimum retirement age for private sector employees Act which proposed to extend the retirement age of private sector employees to 60 years, the Government Information Department said.

Cabinet nod to formulate laws on cyber security

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to draft two bills called Defense Cyber Commands Act and a draft bill for imposing cyber protection laws, the Government Information Department said.

Indian Politico Subramaniam Swamy to arrive in SL today

Senior Indian Politician from the ruling BJP, Dr. Subramaniam Swamy will arrive in Sri Lanka today on a two day visit on an invitation extended by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

SL hit by rising cost of living wave

Sri Lanka has within the past 48 hours announced rising prices for basic necessities which has led to anger among citizens throughout the nation as the public still struggles to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic which saw many livelihoods come to a standstill especially during the 42 day lockdown.

President raps cabinet over unwanted state expenses as cost of living soars

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday evening instructed his cabinet to cut down on all state expenses including unnecessary fleets of vehicles being used by ministries as the government felt the heat over the soaring cost of basic items.

Prices of essentials controlled by black market: Ruwan

The black market Mudalalis (players) have taken over Sri Lanka as they have been allowed to decide on the prices of essential goods, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

Digital ID to be rolled out next year bringing 20-year project into fruition

Sri Lanka is likely to see the national roll-out of the digital identity next year, providing every citizen with a unique identification (UID), potentially ending the endless time waste and hassles the citizenry and businesses undergo in their everyday dealings with the government and other service providers.

SLC to consider ending domestic cricket ban for bubble breachers

A partial reduction of the blanket ban handed to Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka, for breaching the bio-secure bubble during the tour of England in July this year, will be determined on by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Management Committee today.

Removing controlled price on essentials not due to Dollar crisis: JVP

Claiming that the Government had not removed control price on a number of essential commodities due to the Dollar crisis, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said control price on rice would not have to be removed if that was the case.

US tourist left SL after 5 hours stay; minister calls for probe

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga instructed to launch an extensive investigation into the incident in which an American tourist who arrived in Sri Lanka had to return after a 5 hours stay in Sri Lanka due to inconvenience.

Indian Army Chief in Colombo

The Chief of Staff of the Indian Army (COAS) General Manoj Mukund Naravane arrived in Sri Lanka today on a five-day long goodwill visit, the Army said.

Fully vaccinated & had Covid-19? No rush for a booster shot, Experts say

People who both had Covid-19 and are vaccinated don’t need to rush to get the boosters, health experts say.

Jeevan Thiagarajah sworn in as Northern Province Governor

Former member of the Election Commission, Jeevan Thiagarajah took oath as the Governor of Northern Province before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today, Presidential Media Division (PMD) said.

If CPC does not receive govt. concession, increasing fuel price inevitable: Gammanpila

If the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) does not receive any concession from the government and unable to bear the loss, there will be no choice but to increase the fuel prices, Petroleum Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Bread prices increase by Rs. 5 from tonight: Bakery Owners’

The price of a 450g loaf of bread will be increased by Rs. 5 from tonight, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association (ACBOA) said.