Many positive steps taken to promote transparency and good governance: President

Many positive steps have been taken including the establishment of sectoral oversight committees and a budget office in Parliament to promote transparency and good governance, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said.

Parliament to approve VAT increase tomorrow

Parliament is scheduled to meet tomorrow to debate the second reading of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill and the Finance Bill, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Earth mound collapses killing one, injuring two in Karapitiya

A mound of earth collapsed at a construction site near the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, killing one worker and injuring two others.

SL Navy recovers over 04 kgs of gold from Puttalam lagoon

A special search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy near the Baththanangunduwa Island yesterday led to the recovery of a parcel weighing over 04 kgs of gold from the depths of Puttalam lagoon, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

CID raid in Kollupitiya nets eight with pistol, over Rs. 78 Mn cash

Eight individuals, aged between 33 and 48 were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department’s Human Trafficking and Smuggling Bureau at a Kollupitiya hotel for possessing an unlicensed pistol and over Rs. 78 million in cash.

Electricity Amendment Bill will be presented to Parliament in January next year: Minister

Refuting claims by opposition political parties in and out of Parliament that there is a sinister move to implement the Electricity Amendment Bill without giving the public an opportunity to raise objections, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament that the proposed legislation will be presented to the House in January.

6 dead, 10 injured as fire breaks out at candle factory in India

At least six people died and 10 sustained injuries after a fire broke out at a sparkling candle manufacturing unit in the Pimpri Chinchwad area of Pune district on Friday, an official said.

Thennakoon’s first move: 19 key appointments and transfers in Police

A total of 19 police officers, including a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG), seven Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs), nine SSPs, and two ASPs, have been either transferred or appointed to positions by the Acting IGP Deshabandu Thennakoon with immediate effect.

Govt. curb mercenary recruitment through local agents

In the wake of reports about three Sri Lankan ex-military personnel dying in Ukraine in the war with Russia, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka, as a country, had made every possible effort to prevent recruits through local agents.

Kandy SC face Army SC at Panagoda today

The defending League champions, Kandy Sports Club will travel to Colombo for the first time this season when they lock horns against Army SC in the

Giraffe was killed, not deceased: Zoo union alleges

The female giraffe at the National Zoological Gardens in Dehiwala died on Thursday (7), However, the President of the Sri Lanka Podujana Zoological Garden Employees’ Union Krishantha Christopher alleges that the animal was killed.

India’s onion export ban extension leaves SL importers in a dilemma

With India extending the ban on exports of onion until March, next year, Sri Lankan importers are in a quandary to meet the local requirement, a spokesperson said.

Sri Lanka Navy promotes 1,877 personnel in honor of 73rd anniversary

A total of 1,877 naval personnel, comprising both senior and junior sailors, have been promoted to their next rank, effective from December 9th, in commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Kelaniya University set to reopen following temporary closure

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya has issued a statement regarding the resumption of activities in the faculties, subsequent to their temporary closure earlier this week.

Management of Mattala Airport to be given to private investor

The management of Sri Lanka’s second international airport in Mattala will be given to a private investor for 30 years, Minister of Aviation and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva said today.

OCA yet to consider complaint by Ex-Sports Minister

Former Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe had called on the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to intervene in the areas of anti-corruption and human trafficking in regards to the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), in a letter written during his tenure as Sports Minister.

Vladimir Putin says he will seek re-election in 2024

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will seek re-election in March 2024, in a move that could see him retain power until at least 2030.

Appointing judges to Apex Courts: CC decides not to call report from CJ

The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court today that the Constitutional Council headed by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has decided not to proceed with its earlier decision, calling for a report from the Chief Justice seeking information about the performance of a judge nominated for promotion to the Supreme Court.

Liquor shops operating hours revised

The Excise Department has announced changes to the operating hours of liquor shops, effective December 9.

Sri Lanka gets new Oxygen Generation Plant through UNICEF

The Galle Udugama Primary Hospital in Sri Lanka inaugurated its newly constructed Oxygen Generation Plant building supported by the Government of Canada providing a financial contribution of Rs. 200 million through UNICEF.

ADB approves $200 Million loan to stabilize Sri Lanka’s finance sector

In response to the economic and sovereign debt crises faced by Sri Lanka since April 2022, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a concessional loan of $200 million to help stabilize the country’s finance sector.

Sri Lanka chosen to host 37th session of Asia Pacific Regional Conference

Sri Lanka has been chosen to host the 37th session of the Asia Pacific Regional Conference (APRC) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to be held from 19th to 22nd February 2024 in Colombo.

Sanath Nishantha calls for action against Sajith, Nalin Bandara

State Minister Sarath Nishantha requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana to take action against Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha who was engaged in a live recording of Parliament sessions on social media.

Private company to set up Aviation fuel storage at BIA: Minister

Cannel Pvt Ltd, a private company that has undertaken to sell aviation fuel is to construct a storage facility at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) shortly, Minister of Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva told Parliament today.

No politicians involved in Chinese organic fertilizer scam: Minister

Acknowledging that there has been a scam in connection with the reversing of inferior quality organic fertilizer from China and making a payment of USD 6.7 million to the supplier, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said only a group of state officials have been involved in it, according to initial investigations.

Lankan golf stars to compete in India and Malaysia

Sri Lanka will be represented by two exceptional talents, Reshan Algama and Chanaka Perera, at the 122nd Amateur Golf Championship of India, hosted at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) from December 10 to 17.

Health Minister expresses serious concern over SJB MP’s statement

Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, has personally expressed his regrets to medical specialists at Ratnapura Teaching Hospital following recent statements made by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Thalatha Athukorala.

Global Tamil Forum meets President Wickremesinghe

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) and prominent Buddhist monastics met President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday and presented the Joint Himalayan Declaration, promoting a pluralistic Sri Lanka that prioritizes community well-being, learning from historical mistakes, stressing the importance of accountability measures, the President’s Media Division said.

Gazette issued on restructuring CEB

The new electricity bill pertaining to the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has been gazetted.

BBC News presenter apologizes after flipping the middle finger live on air

A BBC News presenter has apologized after flipping the middle finger live on air on Wednesday. Maryam Moshiri, the chief presenter at the British network, said she was ’’joking around a bit with the team’’ when she stuck up her middle finger just as the broadcast went to air.