Government approves purchase of locally made medicines

The government has decided to purchase locally produced medicines and medical supplies for a one-year period, following approval at the Cabinet meeting held on October 14, 2024.

French government on brink as Prime Minister faces no-confidence vote

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier is bracing for a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday in which parties from the left and the right are expected to join forces to oust him after he forced through his budget without lawmakers’ consent.

No action taken on assigning same-zone exam supervisors: CTU

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) claimed that no action has been taken to remove examination supervisors assigned from schools within the same educational zone.

Rs. 6,000 allowance for school children to obtain stationaries

To minimise the negative effects on schoolchildren, the Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide an allowance of Rs. 6,000 for purchasing stationery as outlined below, prior to the commencement of the 2025 academic year.

I was beaten by Opposition MP: Ramanathan Archchuna

affna District independenet MP Ramanathan Archchuna said he was assaulted by SJB MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera when he visited the Opposition Leader’s office.

Unfortunate incidents never occurred during our protests: Mahinda Jayasinghe

Claiming that several police officials had sustained cut injuries during yesterday’s protest outside the Education Ministry, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe said today, he as trade union leader, had resorted to trade union actions with thousands of people but such unfortunate incidents had never occurred.

Super luxury vehicles in government institutions to be disposed

The Government has decided to dispose super luxury vehicles used in government institutions given their high maintenance and fuel costs.

Will address drugs shortages soon: Minister

Actions will be taken to resolve the shortage in medicines including Sodium bicarbonate within the next few days, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Australian dies after jumping from apartment in Kollupitiya

A 51-year-old Australian national has reportedly committed suicide by jumping from the Crescat apartment complex in Kollupitiya this morning.

Minister urges large-scale rice millers to release stock

Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa urged large-scale rice millers to release their rice stocks, considering it as an essential duty.

Cabinet nod to cancel 2023 LG polls nominations

The Cabinet has granted approval to cancel the nominations previously called for the Local Government elections originally scheduled for 2023, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced today.

Astrologer cheats businessman of Rs. 2.9Mn with fake treasure scam

An astrologer who buried a stock of fake gems in a home garden and misled the owner that a treasure had been buried in the garden and undertook to perform rites to unearth it had cheated him and taken away cash Rs.2.9 million as part payment for digging up the treasure.

No price revision on Litro gas

Litro Gas Lanka Limited has decided not to increase the retail price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinder, even though gas prices in the international market have risen, Litro Chairman Channa Gunawardana said.

Walk the talk: Sajith tells government

The Government should deliver what it had pledged at the electoral platform, especially with regard to debt sustainability agreements and the agreement with the IMF, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament today.

Will take all possible actions to defeat attempts to incite racism: PM

The government will take all possible actions to defeat attempts by various groups that were defeated through the political transformation, to incite racism for their petty political gains, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said today.

Vietnamese tycoon loses death row appeal over world’s biggest bank fraud

Vietnamese property tycoon Truong My Lan has lost her appeal against her death sentence for masterminding the world’s biggest bank fraud.

GCE (A/L) exams to resume tomorrow

The 2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) Examinations which were postponed till today (3) due to adverse weather conditions, are scheduled to resume tomorrow (4), the Examinations Department said.

Gayantha appointed Chief Opposition Whip

SJB Galle District MP Gayantha Karunathilaka has been appointed as Chief Opposition Whip, Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala announced today.

SLMC’s Mohamadu Sally Nahim sworn in as MP

Mohamadu Sally Nahim was sworn in as an MP before Speaker Asoka Ranwala a short while ago.

Musk’s record $56bn pay deal rejected for second time

Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s record-breaking $56bn (£47bn) pay award will not be reinstated, a judge has ruled.

SSP Manathunga appointed Director of Police Media, replacing DIG Thalduwa

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) K.B. Manathunga has been appointed as the new Director of the Police Media Division and Police Spokesman, replacing DIG Nihal Thalduwa.

US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu to visit SL on Dec 5

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Donald Lu, will visit Sri Lanka on December 5.

First debate of 10th Parliament today

The first debate of the 10th Parliament will begin at 9.30 am today, where the MPs will speak on the policy statement presented to the House by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on November 21.

Women officers take charge of key Police Divisions

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s police history, several female officers have been appointed to senior positions in key divisions, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Unit.

Sri Lanka Navy seeks more joint operations with India to curb drug smuggling

Following the recent seizure of large quantities of narcotics in the Indian Ocean by the Indian Navy, the Sri Lanka Navy is looking to enhance collaborative deployments and operations with its Indian counterparts, especially in the high seas, to combat narcotics trafficking.

Lankan businessman nabbed with Rs. 5 million worth cosmetics

A Sri Lankan air passenger was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle in cosmetic items worth Rs. 5 million.

Russian Embassy responds to reports of Jaffna youths forced to fight against Ukraine

In response to reports that some young men from Jaffna were allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine while attempting to travel to France and Belgium on visit visas, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said yesterday that it had not received any official information about the recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens by unscrupulous local travel agencies.

Police to use drones for monitoring traffic congestion in Colombo

Sri Lanka Police will begin using drone cameras to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo and its surrounding suburbs.

Coconut cream in place of coconuts to address shortage

Coconut cream which is now only an export product will be released to the local market to address the coconut shortage in the market, an official said.

CG Corp Global bets big on SL’s recovery and growth

Chaudhary Group (CG) Corp Global, a Nepal-based multinational conglomerate, reaffirmed its commitment to Sri Lanka yesterday, pledging to remain invested in the long term while identifying opportunities to expand further.