Lottery winner fails to claim Rs. 12 Mn within 6-month window

The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has come under fire following revelations in the country’s 2022 annual audit report regarding unclaimed prize money and uncredited funds.

Sri Lanka secures Rs. 20 Billion from ADB for rural road renovations

In a significant move towards infrastructural development, the Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Bandula Gunawardena, announced today that the renovation of dilapidated rural roads across the island nation is set to commence next week.

Sri Lanka embraces adventure tourism with first cable car operation

A groundbreaking partnership between the Board of Investments (BOI), Amber Adventure, Ambuluwawa Bio Diversity Center, and the technical and product expertise of China Machine-Building International Corporation has given birth to the establishment of the first-ever cable car operation in the country.

Google is deleting old Gmail accounts: Here’s how to save yours

Beginning on Dec. 1, the tech giant, Google will begin purging all accounts that have been inactive for two years or more. The company says the move is meant to help cut back on the number of accounts that can be hijacked by hackers.

483 million units of electricity added to national grid this year

Under the programme of rooftop solar power electrical installation implemented for consumers, a total of 483 million units of electricity were added to the national grid from January to September 30, 2023, Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) media spokesman Noel Priyantha said.

New Kelani Bridge closes for repairs under three phases from tomorrow

The Road Development Authority (RDA) announced the closure of the New Kelani Bridge, popularly known as the ’Golden Gate Kalyani’ bridge, in three phases, beginning tomorrow December 1.

Over 50% of Sri Lankans say local political forces involved in Easter attacks

More than half the Sri Lankan population – 53% – believes local political forces were involved in the Easter Sunday attacks carried out in 2019, according to a survey commissioned in October by Syndicated Surveys.

Pastor Jerome leaves CID after eight hours

Pastor Jerome Fernando who arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation against him, left the CID premises a short while ago after giving a 9-hour long statement.

Dengue cases in Sri Lanka cross 76,000

The tally of dengue cases recorded for 2023 has surpassed the 76,000 mark, according to the Epidemiology Unit.

Screen those who received controversial immunoglobulin for Aids, hepatitis B: MP

Patients who had received the controversial substandard immunoglobulin medicine should be screened for Aids and hepatitis B, former State Health Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said today.

A historic first for Uganda as side joins Namibia into T20WC 2024

Uganda will become only the fifth African nation to feature in a ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Intern doctors to save defunct hospitals: Minister

Steps will be taken to reopen the 40 hospitals that were shut down due to medical shortages by assigning intern doctors, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana said today.

Road, domestic accidents major health issue in SL: Health Minister

Road and domestic accidents have become a major health issue in Sri Lanka as one million out of a total of 6 million hospital admissions are due to accidents, Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana told Parliament today.

President leaves for Dubai

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island this morning to attend the COP28 World Leaders’ Summit to be held in Dubai, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Sajith wasted over 200 minutes of Parliament time within two weeks: Prasanna

Claiming that the Opposition Leader had used more than 200 minutes in addition to the allocated time in Parliament for a period of two weeks, Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga urged the Speaker to take steps to manage the time.

Contempt of court case against Roshan Ranasinghe is wrong: Speaker

The contempt of court case filed against MP Roshan Ranasinghe is wrong as no one can file legal action against an MP for the remarks he makes in Parliament, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana said today.

Pastor Jerome arrives at CID for statement following court order

Pastor Jerome Fernando arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation against him.

Roshan Ransinghe will not be the common opposition candidate: SJB

Former Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe has been invited to join the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) but he will not be the common opposition candidate, an SJB MP yesterday said scoffing speculations in political circles.

Depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal will develop into a cyclonic storm: Meteorological Department

A low-pressure area located over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a depression over southeast Bay of Bengal around today, and it will further develop into a cyclonic storm, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Will be able to clear driving licenses backlog within next 6 months: DMT Commissioner General

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has imported three new high-quality driver’s license card printing machines to print all the driver’s licenses that have been piled up and cannot be issued due to a lack of printing machines.

Deshabandu Thennakoon assumes duties as Acting IGP

Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon who was appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), assumed duties in his office this morning.

Leopard found dead in snare at Maskeliya: Investigation underway

The Maskeliya Police and Wildlife officials have initiated an investigation following the discovery of a dead leopard caught in a snare at Brownswick Estate in Maskeliya.

Diplomatic inning by Indian envoy

In the wake of reports about Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and deposed Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe having talks with Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay on the Sri Lanka cricket crisis, an authoritative source said it is the legitimate duty of the Indian envoy to respond to calls for meetings with political leaders.

Why was Deshabandu appointed as ’Acting’ IGP?

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday appointed Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon as the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) after months of speculation as to who would get the seat.

Nobel winner Henry Kissinger dies at 100

Henry Kissinger, a controversial Nobel Peace Prize winner and diplomatic powerhouse whose service under two presidents left an indelible mark on U.S. foreign policy, died on Wednesday at age 100, according to his geopolitical consulting firm Kissinger Associates Inc.

Intern Medical Officers paid unlawful allowances worth Rs.47Mn

The Intern Medical Officers who were assigned to 22 central government hospitals for training from January 2016 to March 2022 had been paid Rs.47 million in illegal allowances.

Mali, ‘world’s saddest elephant,’ dies after 33 solitary years at zoo

Vishwamali, nicknamed Mali, died on Nov. 28 of congestive heart failure at Manila Zoo in Manila, Philippines.

More than 300,000 school dropouts during last decade

More than 300,000 children have dropped out of schools in Sri Lanka from 2012 to 2021, Parliament was informed yesterday.

State Sports Ministry relocated as cost-saving initiative

In a strategic cost-cutting initiative, the newly appointed Sports Minister Harin Fernando has directed the relocation of the State Ministry of Sports from the World Trade Center to the Sports Ministry building at Race Course.

Annual income report should be submitted before Nov. 30: IRD

According to the officials from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), the existing Inland Revenue Law mandates the submission of the annual income report, for the assessment year 2022/2023 (from April 01, 2022 to March 31, 2023), to the department by November 30.