Infant allegedly tied to chair and beaten for crying- suspect remanded

A man accused of tying a nine-month-old infant to a chair and assaulting her with an umbrella handle and his hands for allegedly crying frequently was ordered to be remanded till July 3 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva yesterday.

PMD, SLC denies ICC Chief discussed SLC elections or blacklisting

The President’s Media Division (PMD) yesterday denied the Daily Mirror article titled “Hold SLC Elections or Get Blacklisted, ICC Informs President AKD,” saying that ICC Chairman Jay Shah neither discussed the holding of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) elections nor raised the possibility of blacklisting the national cricket body over political interference.

Sri Lanka risks losing GSP+ over PTA reforms: Joint opposition

Sri Lanka risks losing the GSP+ trade benefit, a special benefit enjoyed by Sri Lankan exporters for accessing markets in the European Union, because of the slow progress of reforms related to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Joint Opposition Convener Prof. G. L. Peiris said yesterday.

Lunuwila Police accused of false implication in heroin trafficking case

Two youths from Lunuwila have filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court alleging that they were unlawfully arrested, falsely implicated in a heroin trafficking case, and wrongfully remanded for more than two months by officers attached to the Lunuwila Police Station.

CID probe sought over substandard medical equipment supplied to hospitals

A complaint has been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) calling for a comprehensive investigation into the supply and use of substandard medical equipment in government hospitals, amid the withdrawal of cardiac stents, angiogram catheters and colostomy bags.

Russian State-Owned Companies Cleared to Bid for Sri Lanka Fuel Tenders

In a bid to improve competitiveness in fuel purchasing from the global market, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has registered two Russian state owned companies allowing them to participate in the tender process, an official said yesterday.

MSD recalls hospitals to withdraw colostomy bags, catheters from hospitals immediately

The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) has ordered the immediate withdrawal of several batches of two medical devices supplied to government hospitals — a colostomy appliance and an angiographic catheter — following reports of defects and performance issues that could affect patient safety and treatment outcomes.

IMF urged not to insist on removal of subsidies on fuel

A delegation of the Joint Opposition has requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) representative in Sri Lanka not to insist on the removal of fuel subsidies, as it would inflict unbearable hardship on the people at this time.

Principal, Vice Principal arrested over concealing sexual abuse of a schoolgirl by a schoolboy

The Principal, the Vice Principal of Ambalantota Therapuththa National School and a schoolboy of another school were arrested yesterday in connection with the grave sexual abuse of a schoolgirl during the sports meet of the school

Indo-Lanka land link India ready for work once Sri Lanka green-lights project

India remains ready to initiate steps regarding the land connectivity project between the two countries once Sri Lanka gives the go-ahead, according to a top source familiar with the subject.

Sri Lanka welcomes U.S-Iran MoU on ceasefire, recognises roles played by Pakistan, Qatar

Sri Lanka welcomes the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the U.S and Iran establishing an immediate ceasefire, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Easter Sunday investigations: Did Govt. ask for America’s FBI report ?If not why? asks UNP

The United National Party (UNP) yesterday raised questions over the failure of the present government to ask for the material on the investigation carried out by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Easter Sunday attacks since it has restarted the investigations.

Three types of cardiac stents withdrawn immediately due to safety concerns

The Medical Supplies Division (MSD) have ordered the immediate withdrawal of three types of ‘inferior’ cardiac stents and instructed hospitals across Sri Lanka to isolate all remaining stocks without using them, in a major nationwide safety alert affecting heart treatment services.

Joint opposition ask IMF to look into scams and corruption in Sri Lanka

The leaders of political parties in the joint opposition yesterday met officials of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Colombo and urged them to look into the $ 2.5 million heist and other scams.

Hospitals may not be able to cope with further dengue spike, Minister warns

Health and Mass Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has warned that while the current dengue situation remains manageable, a further increase in cases could overwhelm Sri Lanka’s hospital system.

Daily vehicle import bill drops below USD 4Mn

Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando said that Sri Lanka’s daily foreign exchange outflow for vehicle imports has fallen to below USD 4 million following the introduction of a temporary surcharge on Customs Import Duties for vehicles.

Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman vacates post after budget loss - Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that a Chairman of a Pradeshiya Sabha who fails to obtain the approval of council members for the annual budget after the first two years is deemed to have vacated his office.

COPF faults Central Bank for non-publication of Govt debt data

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has faulted the Central Bank (CB) for non-publication of important data on government debt, it was reported yesterday.

Soft drinks, sedentary lifestyles fuel rise in childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is increasing in Sri Lanka, with health authorities pointing to higher consumption of carbonated beverages and unhealthy lifestyles as key contributing factors.

Used vehicle prices could rise again after removal of 15% valuation reduction: VIASL

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has warned that the prices of imported used vehicles could increase significantly following the removal of the 15 percent valuation reduction previously applied when determining

Open letter from Rosy Senanayake to the Government

Former Colombo Mayor and former Member of Parliament Rosy Senanayake has issued an open letter calling for urgent action to address what she describes as a deepening child protection crisis in Sri Lanka, urging both domestic

Sri Lanka’s investment climate: transparency, regulations should be convincing – Indonesian envoy

Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing was the latest foreign envoy to assert that transparency and regulations related to the investment climate in Sri Lanka should be convincing to the private sector.

US -Iran deal ’all signed; Trump Hormuz traffic will rise significantly

The United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding to end a near four-month war, senior U.S. officials said on Monday, adding that a formal signing ceremony would take place on Friday and shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz would significantly but gradually ramp up, Reuters news agency said.

Doctors flag rising health threat to children amid rainy season

Health experts have warned parents to stay on high alert as a sharp rise in infectious diseases among children is being reported across the country amid the prevailing rainy weather.

Sallay’s condition stable, no critical health risks: Minister Nalinda Jayatissa

The government has dismissed claims made by opposition political parties regarding the deteriorating health of the detained former Director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Suresh Sallay.

Sri Lanka’s economy will crash soon: Ranil

Sri Lanka’s economy has begun to crash and one will be able see a complete crash before long, former President said.

Treasury and CPC weigh options on fuel prices as Rs. 57 Bn fuel allocation nears exhaustion

The government is considering maintaining current domestic fuel prices without implementing an increase, even after the existing state subsidy concludes, provided that the current downward trend in the global oil market remains steady.

El Niño puts Sri Lanka on alert, but severe impact unlikely

Sri Lanka is unlikely to experience severe impacts from the developing El Niño weather phenomenon, although hotter and drier conditions are expected in the coming months, climate experts and meteorological officials said.

UK MP appeals for urgent review of deportation order against Lankan family

A British Parliamentarian has urged the UK Government to intervene in the case of a Sri Lankan family facing deportation, arguing that they have become valued members of their local community through their work and public service.

Middle East crisis hits health sector; pharmaceutical prices set to rise

The prices of pharmaceuticals supplied by local manufacturers under buy back agreements with the Health Ministry are slated to increase by 12.5 percent from next month, an official said yesterday.