American crude arrives in SL for the first time

A stock of American crude oil arrived in the country for the first time yesterday, steadying the fuel supply despite a possible price hike expected soon, an official said yesterday.

Force may be used against those evading checkpoints, says Police

Sri Lanka Police have urged the public to fully cooperate with law enforcement officers during vehicle inspections and residential searches, warning that attempts to evade police checkpoints or obstruct official duties could result in legal action and the use of necessary police force.

7-year-old boy Wanted to see parents in Colombo found alone at Hatton bus stand

A seven-year-old schoolboy who had reportedly planned to travel alone to Colombo to meet his parents was rescued by police after being found waiting at the Hatton bus stand.

Over 5000 unprotected children in Anuradhapura

A recent survey has revealed 5780 children in the Anuradhapura district are vulnerable to sexual harassment or rape. DIG North Central Province T.B.Sugathapala told the meeting of the District Coordinating Committee that they are underage children less than 16 years of age.

Amnesty International Report reveals ‘serious labor abuses’ endured by Malaiyaha Tamil workers in private tea estates

A new report launched by Amnesty International found that members of the Malaiyaha Tamil community in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province suffered multiple and widespread forms of abuse including intimidation and threats, physical violence, debt bondage, restrictions on movement and poor working and living conditions.

Why a simple “Digital Nomad Visa” might create more demand for the rupee than a million kilos of export goods

For the last several years, Sri Lanka’s economic orthodoxy has failed. We continue to export the same basket of goods tea, rubber, coconut that financed the 19th century. From the 1980s to the present day, we added garments.

20-day-old infant allegedly sold for Rs. 100,000; mother and woman arrested

A 25-year-old mother accused of selling her 20-day-old infant for Rs. 100,000, along with a woman alleged to have bought the baby were arrested by officers attached to the Puttalam Divisional Crime Investigation Unit, the Sri Lanka Police said.

Southwest Monsoon expected to lose vigour next month : Meteorology Department

Confirming the forecast made by some metrological authorities in a few countries in the region including India and Myanmar, the Department of Meteorology here yesterday said dry weather could be expected next month as the Southwest Monsoon is expected to lose its vigour.

Sri Lanka’s honey industry stung by bitter shortfalls

Sri Lanka produces only around 50 metric tonnes of bees honey annually, far short of the national requirement of nearly 200 metric tonnes, according to P. Sisira Kumara, Director of Extension and Training at the Department of Agriculture.

US $ 2.5 million cyber theft: Australian Federal Police in Aussie mission helping SL police

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers based in the Australian High Commission are currently assisting the Sri Lanka Police in their investigations into the cyber theft of US $ 2.5 million meant for payment to the Australian Government as part of debt servicing, an official said .

Southwest Monsoon expected to lose vigour next month : Meteorology Department

Confirming the forecast made by some metrological authorities in a few countries in the region including India and Myanmar, the Department of Meteorology here yesterday said dry weather could be expected next month as the Southwest Monsoon is expected to lose its vigour.

US $ 2.5 million cyber theft: Australian Federal Police in Aussie mission helping SL police

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers based in the Australian High Commission are currently assisting the Sri Lanka Police in their investigations into the cyber theft of US $ 2.5 million meant for payment to the Australian Government as part of debt servicing, an official said .

Sri Lanka’s honey industry stung by bitter shortfalls

Sri Lanka produces only around 50 metric tonnes of bees honey annually, far short of the national requirement of nearly 200 metric tonnes, according to P. Sisira Kumara, Director of Extension and Training at the Department of Agriculture.

Ebola triggers heightened vigilance in Sri Lanka

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Central and East Africa is raising serious global health concerns, with fears that the spread may be wider than currently detected.

Opposition MP says President sought RW’s support for economic stability

Referring to what has been taking place behind the scene during the past few weeks, opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake yesterday said that he has been told that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had sought the assistance of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and a few others to stabilise the economy.

Police tighten noose on organised crime with 226 Red Notices

Sri Lanka has widened its international manhunt, securing 226 Interpol Red Notices targeting suspects believed in hiding across multiple countries, including the UAE, India, Russia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Tough action against traders exploiting rupee depreciation: Wasantha Samarasinghe

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will crack down on traders who unreasonably hike the prices of essential goods to profit from the fluctuating market, Minister of Trade Wasantha Samarasinghe said.

Ven. Hemarathana Thera released on bail

Atamasthanadipathi Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thera who had been remanded on suspicion of the rape of an underage girl and the girl’s mother who is alleged to have aided and abetted the crime were

Principal arrested for assaulting two students, develops heart trouble in police cell

A principal of a school in the Hidogama area of the Anuradhapura district had been arrested on suspicion of his alleged assault on two underage students causing them serious injuries, Police said the two 15 year

10-year sentence affirmed for neighbour convicted in underage girl abuse case

The Court of Appeal yesterday affirmed the 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentence imposed by the Ratnapura High Court on a neighbour convicted of committing grave sexual abuse against an underage

Inclement weather forces flight diversions

In view of the inclement weather experienced in the surrounding area of the Bandaranaike International Airport, several flights were diverted to Mattala International Airport and southern Indian airports yesterday.

Allegations Against Hajj Committee and Director of Department of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs

A group of Hajj Operators has lodged a formal complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption, alleging that the Department of Muslim Religious & Cultural Affairs was withholding

Imposed Customs duty surcharge had favoured brand-new vehicle importers: Importers

The Vehicle Importers Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL) has raised concerns over the impact of the government’s recently imposed 50 percent surcharge on Customs Import Duties for most imported motor vehicles, claiming that the measure might have been abused by brand new vehicle import agents, even though the government has done it in good faith.

Rupee Crisis Deepens Sri Lanka Warned of Rs. 380+ Emergency Measures Needed Now not Tomorrow - Former Diplomat Kananathan

Sri Lanka’s rupee has once again come under severe pressure, sliding rapidly to around Rs. 354 against the US dollar this morning, raising fresh concerns about the country’s fragile external sector and declining foreign reserve position.

17th National War Heroes’ Day commemorated

The 17th National War Heroes’ Day was commemorated with a sense of pride under the patronage of President, Anura Kumara Dissanayaka honouring the service and sacrifice of members of the armed forces on Tuesday (19) at the War Heroes Monument in Battaramulla

Is Sri Lanka performing gender-change procedures on children?

A controversy has arisen in Sri Lanka following claims questioning whether gender-change procedures are being carried out on children in the country’s hospitals.

Specialist calls for stronger airport screening and public caution urged over Ebola risk

Health experts have given mixed signals over the risk of Ebola entering Sri Lanka, with one specialist saying there is no immediate danger, even as he calls for stronger screening at airports and greater public caution.

Sri Lanka sugar crisis looms, milk powder prices may surge: Importers

Sri Lanka could face a major sugar supply and price crisis, along with potential price hikes in imported milk powder and other essential food items, after India suspended sugar exports and the Sri Lankan Rupee continued to weaken

Rehearsal to commemorate war heroes...

A rehearsal was held yesterday to commemorate National War Heroes at the National War Heroes’ Monument in Battaramulla.

Wire traps laid to rob motorcyclists; gang nabbed by residents

A gang that allegedly laid wire traps across roads and robbed motorcyclists of their cash and jewellery at Boraketiiya on the Padukka-Wataraka-Boraketiiya Road was caught by residents and handed over to the Meegoda Police in the early hours of yesterday morning.