Report says Israel knew about Hamas attack over a year in advance

Israel’s military was aware of Hamas ’ plan to launch an attack on Israeli soil over a year before the devastating Oct. 7 operation that killed hundreds of people, The New York Times reported Friday.

Sri Lanka bondholders raise concerns over debt deal transparency

A group of creditors holding Sri Lanka’s international bonds said on Friday it welcomed the country’s debt restructuring agreement with official creditors, though it said a lack of transparency on deals struck so far was regrettable.

WHO assures financial and technical support to Sri Lanka

A fruitful discussion between Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala and World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to Sri Lanka Dr. Alaka Singh took place today with the latter assuring financial and technical support to Sri Lanka.

Showers above 100 mm on the cards at multiple places

Meteorological authorities have issued a weather warning for several provinces in Sri Lanka, predicting heavy showers exceeding 100 mm in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, North-Western, and Western Provinces.

FR petition against Chamara Sampath Dasanayake withdrawn

The principal of the Badulla Tamil Girls’ Maha Vidyalaya who was allegedly compelled to kneel down and worship State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake in 2018 while he was functioning as Uva Chief Minister, yesterday withdrew her Fundamental Rights petition filed before the Supreme Court.

Government launches scholarship programme for A/L participants

The President’s Fund has taken steps towards empowering the youth by introducing a scholarship programme tailored for students who participated in the 2022 (2023) G.E.C. A/L Exam.

Constitutional Council greenlights Deshabandu Tennakoon as Acting IGP

The Constitutional Council has given its nod to the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

2022 A/L cut-off marks for university entrance released

The eagerly awaited minimum Z-scores for university admissions for the academic year 2022/2023, based on the 2022 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination, have been officially announced.

Sithulpawwa Viharadhipathi passes away

Chief Incumbent of the Sithulpawwa Raja Maha Vihara and Chief Sanghanayake of the Malwatta Chapter in the Southern Province, Ven. Metaramba Hemarathane Thera passed away at the age of 83 at a private hospital in Colombo.

Stones pelted at Colombo-bound night mail train

An unidentified group of individuals had pelted stones at the Colombo bound night mail from Jaffna on Thursday (30) night, when the train was passing the Kondavil area.

Pastor Jerome Fernando remanded

Pastor Jerome Fernando, who was arrested in connection with his controversial Sunday sermon, was today ordered to be remanded till December 13 after being produced before the Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage.

Discussions underway to revise liquor shop opening hours

It has been decided to revise the opening hours of liquor shops, and related discussions have already started, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Power outage at India vs Australia T20 stadium due to unsettled bills

The fourth T20 international between India and Australia will be played today at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh stadium. But with just hours to go for the crucial encounter, there is no electricity in parts of the stadium. Reason: An electricity bill which hasn’t been paid since 2009.

Sri Lanka records highest number of elephant deaths

Compared to other countries, the highest number of elephant deaths are reported in Sri Lanka every year due to the elephant-human conflict in this country, the Sectoral Oversight Committee revealed.

GCE (O/L) best results announced

A student from Mahamaya Girl’s College, Kandy has topped the island rankings at the GCE Ordinary Level Examination in 2023, while the second place has been achieved by a student from Vembadi Girls’ High School in Jaffna, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Pastor Jerome arrested

Pastor Jerome Fernando has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning in connection with an ongoing investigation against him, his lawyer said.

Inefficiencies in distributing school textbooks in 2022: Report says

Even though the first term of 2022 had begun on April 18, textbooks had not been distributed to the schools until December, the 2022 Annual Auditor General’s Report said.

Trio detained over mysterious explosion at a house in Ridigama

Three individuals have been detained for 48 hours for questioning over an explosion in a house at Nikapitiya, Gallawatta in Ridigama.

Israel resumes combat as truce expires, accuses Hamas of violation

Israel’s military said it had resumed combat against Hamas in Gaza on Friday after accusing the Palestinian militant group of violating a seven-day temporary truce by firing towards Israeli territory.

Customs carrying out investigations into SLC

The Customs Department is currently conducting an investigation into the under-invoicing of values of three LED screens imported by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) at three international cricket stadiums in Sri Lanka, State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe told Parliament today.

State Minister Diana Gamage, two SJB MPs to be suspended from Parliament

State Minister Diana Gamage, SJB MPs Rohana Bandara and Sujith Sanjaya Perera are to be suspended from Parliament for a month for brawling near the MPs’ library.

No revisions in bus or three-wheeler fares

Considering the recent fuel price revision, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), the Inter-Provincial Private Bus Owners’ Association (IPPBOA), and three-wheeler associations claimed that there would be no fare revisions to bus and three-wheeler fares.

Watching Sigiriya sunrise earns over $3,000 a day

The Central Cultural Fund said that watching the sunrise in Sigiriya earns more than three thousand dollars a day.

SL gearing up for elections in 2024: UK

Sri Lanka is among the South Asian countries gearing up for elections at different levels in 2024, alongside India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives, the UK government said.

Naval, fishing communities advised not to venture out to sea until further notice

The naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture out to the sea areas extending from Mannar to Batticaloa via Kankesanthurai and Trincomalee until further notice, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said.

Earth mound collapses between Diyatalawa and Haputale

The upcountry train services were disrupted after the collapse of earth mounds on the railway tracks between Diyatalawa and Haputale railway stations this morning, the Railways Department said.

Sri Lanka logs 485 HIV/AIDS cases and 43 deaths in first nine months

Sri Lanka has experienced a dramatic surge in HIV/AIDS cases by the end of September this year.

2022 (2023) O/L results released

The results of the 2022(2023) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination were released today, Examinations Department Commissioner General H.J.M.C Amith Jayasundara said.

National education non-academic employee policy for all schools soon: Minister

It has been proposed to prepare a national education non-academic employee policy that is common to all educational institutions, including government and provincial schools, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Fuel prices revised from tonight

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Lanka IOC (LIOC) and Sinopec franchise filling stations have decided to revise their fuel prices with effect from midnight today.