Hospitals ask patients to purchase artificial knee transplant tools privately: Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa

It has now become common in many government hospitals for patients to be asked to buy important medical items like artificial knee transplant equipment and other surgical tools from private companies, as hospitals often do not have them in stock.

UN research ship chooses Madagascar instead of Sri Lanka, approval too late

Despite the green light, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) research vessel “Dr Fridtjof Nansen” is unlikely to visit Sri Lanka since approval came late, making timely scheduling for the survey here impossible, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka must target over 8% growth through innovation overhaul: Top economist

Sri Lanka must shift its focus towards fostering innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, and moving beyond its current economic trajectory to achieve a prosperous future with a sustained growth rate of over 8

Badulla-Colombo train service disrupted after trees fall on track

The Badulla-Colombo train service was disrupted this morning (June 27) after several large pine trees fell onto the railway track between Demodara and Ella railway stations along the Upcountry Railway Line, the Railway Department said.

Sri Lanka’s tea for oil barter trade with Iran to take a hit due to crisis

Sri Lanka’s barter trade with Iran (tea for oil) to settle dues for a previous transaction is likely to be hit by tension in the Middle-East at the moment, a Minister said.

Customs defends halt on cross-border LC vehicle imports, cites widespread duty fraud

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday defended its recent decision to halt the clearance of vehicles imported under cross-border Letters of Credit (LCs), citing the measure as a crucial step to combat significant tax evasion through fraudulent under-valuation.

Seales fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Fast bowler Jayden Seales of the West Indies has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the opening day of the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series against Australia in Bridgetown on Wednesday.

Will Archchuna lose parliamentary seat?

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that Jaffna District Parliamentarian Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna continues to hold office as a public officer, raising serious threat to the principle of separation of powers.

Iran ready to increase imports from Sri Lanka amid Middle East tensions

In the wake of the current Middle- East crisis sparked by a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel involving the United States, Iran today expressed readiness to enhance trade relations with Sri Lanka, particularly in importing tea.

Bear blocks runway forcing flight cancellations at airport in Japan

A bear roaming a runway at a Japanese airport forced staff to cancel flights and declare itself off-limits to passengers for the day.

U.S. embassy warns against birth tourism

The U.S. Embassy in Colombo has issued a warning to Sri Lankan nationals and other foreign travellers, cautioning that those who travel to the United States on tourist visas with the intention of giving birth to secure U.S. citizenship for their child, risk being denied future visas.

16 Sri Lankan youths heading to Japan for technical training

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday (25) awarded air tickets to a group of 16 Sri Lankan youths scheduled to travel to Japan under the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP).

Registration for Israeli construction jobs opens tomorrow: SLBFE

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that registration for three job categories in Israel’s construction sector will officially begin tomorrow (27). The closing date for applications is July 1.

Plastic pellet spills growing environmental crisis for Sri Lanka

Millions of plastic pellets continue to drift towards Sri Lankan shores following two shipwrecks that occurred off the southern and south-western coasts of India.

Ecuador’s most wanted drug lord captured in ’underground bunker’

Police in Ecuador have recaptured the country’s most wanted fugitive, drug lord Adolfo Macías Villamar.

Salt prices to be regulated as imported stocks released to market

The Sri Lanka Salt Manufacturers Association announced today that salt will be released to the market under new maximum retail price limits, in line with an agreement reached with the Consumer Affairs Council. The move comes as part of efforts to stabilize salt prices following the recent relaxation of import restrictions by the government.

Grade 13 student hospitalised after assault by teacher

A Grade 13 student from the Ginigathhena National School was admitted to the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital following an alleged assault by his subject teacher, school authorities and police confirmed today (26).

Former Health Ministry secretary remanded

Former Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta was ordered to be remanded until July 8 in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged accumulation of illicit assets, by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

CSE records all-time high with ASPI reaching 17,740.46 in a record-breaking performance

The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) closed on a strong positive note today, recording a new all-time high in both intraday and closing levels of the All Share Price Index (ASPI), which settled at 17,740.46. The market witnessed heightened investor activity across all segments, including retail investors, high-net-worth individuals, and institutional participants.

UN Human rights chief urges domestic mechanism in line with international norms

The visiting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday called for the establishment of a domestic mechanism to address human rights violations in Sri Lanka—one that adheres to international standards and principles.

UN Human rights Chief meets NPP leaders

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk met with the leaders of the National People’s Power (NPP) at the JVP headquarters in Battaramulla where they dscussed the repealing of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and look into the missing persons.

Sri Lanka to tour Zimbabwe for white-ball series

Zimbabwe Cricket has confirmed that Sri Lanka will tour the country to contest in ODIs and T20Is.

Govt. to import 40,000 MTs of substitute rice

The Food Policy and Security Committee has recommended the import of 40,000 metric tonnes of substitute rice for Keeri Samba.

Supreme leader, in first appearance since ceasefire, says Iran would strike back if attacked

Iran would respond to any future U.S. attack by striking American military bases in the Middle East, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday, in his first televised remarks since a ceasefire was reached between Iran and Israel.

New cargo flight service commenced

New cargo flight service launched between Kunming and BIA

A new cargo flight service between Kunming, China and Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) commenced operations with its maiden flight yesterday.

CMC PHIs withdraw from dengue control work for a week over exam dispute

Chief Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) attached to the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) have decided to withdraw from the dengue eradication programmes within the CMC area for one week, following a dispute over the rejection of exam application.

Salt imports cause delays as container backlog grows to 2,500

The Sri Lanka Customs announced that delays in clearing cargo, mainly due to a spike in salt imports, are increasing as daily container arrivals have risen from 1,200 to 2,500.

C.I.B. Big City fined Rs. 1 mn for selling bottled water exceeding controlled price

A private business outlet in Maharaga (C.I.B. Big City) was fined Rs. 1 million by the Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court today for selling bottled water exceeding the controlled price.

Indictments filed against Keheliya Rambukwella and his family members

The Bribery Commission filed indictments with 43 charges agianst former Media, Health and Environment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and five other family members.