President hits at inflation risks as Rs. 500 bn cyclone rebuilding begins

The government faces the challenge of preventing a surge in inflation as the Rs. 500 billion allocated for rebuilding the country after Cyclone Ditwah begins to circulate in the economy, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Market extends pullback

The CSE extended its downward trend on Friday, marking another red session amid subdued turnover and lower trading volumes. Investor sentiment remained weak as the market continued to pull back from its All-Time High (ATH), with the ASPI now reflecting a 9.3% correction from peak levels.

Medical lab raided over patient safety violations

Blood collection tubes meant for single use were washed and reused on several patients at a private medical laboratory in Laggala leading to a raid by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

President arrives in Parliament

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in the Parliament chamber a short while ago and has begun his address to Parliament.

Only red rice and gravy in members’ canteen in Parliament: Archchuna

Independent MP Ramanathan Archchuna today created a commotion in Parliament, protesting the non-availability of food in the members’ canteen when he went for lunch.

Brown University shooting suspect found dead, police say

The suspect ‍in ​last week’s ‌mass shooting at Brown University has been found dead in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, following a six-day multi-state manhunt, police say.

OCC clears proposed settlement for SriLankan Airlines borrowings

The Official Creditor Committee (OCC) has formally granted a “no objection” clearance, enabling Sri Lanka to proceed with its proposed settlement arrangements for foreign borrowings guaranteed by the government for SriLankan Airlines.

Court clears release of 166 more BYD vehicles

The Court of Appeal today directed Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) to release a further 166 BYD vehicles detained by Customs, subject to the furnishing of the relevant bank guarantees and corporate guarantees.

Chelsea’s Maresca says Man City link '100 percent' speculation

Enzo Maresca said Friday that reports linking him to the Manchester City manager’s job were ’’100 percent’’ speculation, promising that he would still be at Chelsea next season.

WECare vaccinates more than 32,000 dogs , expands aid after flood

In the aftermath of the devastating floods, while many organisations rushed to assist affected communities, one group turned its attention to often-overlooked victims — street dogs.

Bellana was removed for revealing sensitive info on patients: Deputy Minister

National Hospital Deputy Director Dr. Rukshan Bellana was removed from his post as he had revealed sensitive information on patients and creating panic, Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni told Parliament today.

Julian Assange files complaint against Nobel Foundation over Machado prize

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has filed a criminal complaint in Sweden against the Nobel Foundation, challenging the organisation’s decision to award its Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.

Train services to resume on upcountry and eastern lines from tomorrow

The Sri Lanka Railways Department has announced the resumption of new train services on the Upcountry and Eastern Railway lines, effective from tomorrow (20), aimed at improving passenger convenience.

President to attend Parliament for debate on Rs. 500 bn

President and Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to attend Parliament today (19) to participate in the debate on a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion.

BASL condemns Kaduwela Mayor’s conduct over obstruction of lawyer

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has strongly condemned the conduct of Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal, alleging that he had obstructed and hindered an Attorney-at-Law while representing an Animal Welfare Association at an inquiry conducted by the Mayor.

Donations to ’Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ surpass Rs. 4 bn

The total donations received by the ’Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ has increased up to Rs. 4.2 billion as of today, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma said today.

Former leaders’ support will not be sought in fund raising due to their corrupt practices: PM

The government will not seek the support of former leaders who were involved in corruption through disasters, in the fund raising process this time, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Rs. 25,000 paid to 257,000 affected families so far: Minister

The initial grant of Rs. 25,000 paid for flood affected families to clean their houses have been paid to 257,000 families out of the total of 493,000 entiled to the payment so far, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today.

Trump suspends US green card lottery in wake of Brown University and MIT shootings

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, has ordered the suspension of the green card lottery program at Donald Trump’s direction, saying it allowed the suspect in the Brown University and MIT shootings to come to the US.

NPP MP blames police, Opposition for spreading falsehood

National People’s Power (NPP) MP Shantha Pathmakumara today accused the police and the Opposition of spreading falsehoods about him and thus violating his parliamentary privileges.

New Zealand Cricket chief quits after split over new T20 league

The boss of New Zealand cricket resigned on Friday after a long and bitter dispute with players and member associations over the future of T20 cricket in the country.

Australia’s ’Bondi Hero’ handed $1.65 mln collected from fundraising

A man credited with saving lives for wrestling a gun from one of the alleged attackers during a mass shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach received a cheque for more than A$2.5 million ($1.65 million) on Friday, after tens of thousands of people contributed to a donation website.

Mahaweli water level rises in Manampitiya

The water level in the Manampitiya area of the Mahaweli River basin has risen above the minor flood level due to heavy rainfall, according to Irrigation Director (Hydrology and Disaster Management) Engineer L.S. Sooriyabandara.

GovPay surpasses Rs. 2 billion in transactions

GovPay, Sri Lanka’s government digital payment platform, surpassed Rs. 2 billion in total transaction value, the Ministry of Digital Economy said.

Moragahakanda Reservoir to release water tonight

Authorities have issued a warning to residents living along the Amban River as the Moragahakanda Reservoir is set to release water tonight.

Dasun Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka until 2026 T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka Cricket’s newly appointed Selection Committee Chairman, Pramodya Wickremesinghe said today (19) that Dasun Shanaka will continue as captain of the Sri Lankan national team until the 2026 ICC Twenty20 World Cup.

Executive Presidency will be abolished in new Constitution: PM assures

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya today assured that the Executive Presidency will be abolished as promised in the National People’s Power (NPP) manifesto.

US warns travellers to Sri Lanka over chikungunya

The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel notice for Sri Lanka, advising travellers to “practice enhanced precautions.”

73 children lose parents due to Cyclone Ditwah

Seventy three children have lost their parents – one or both - due to disasters triggered by Cyclone Ditwah as reported by December 16.

175,000 hectares of croplands destroyed, will there be a food security crisis?

Of the country’s approximately 2.3 million hectares of agricultural land, 175,000 hectares or 7.6 percent of land has been damaged in Sri Lanka due to the recent cyclone causing a setback in harvest, output levels and driving price hikes for locally produced food, according to the Department of Agriculture compiled with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).