Browns Investments completes acquisition of James Finlays Kenya

In a historic and landmark move, Sri Lanka’s Browns Investments PLC solidified its presence in Kenya officially by acquiring James Finlays’ extensive tea plantations spanning over 27,000 acres in Kenya, yesterday.

Cabinet clears Sinopec’s US $ 4.5bn refinery proposal

Sri Lanka yesterday approved a proposal by China’s Sinopec to build a US $ 4.5 billion refinery, its energy minister said, making it the largest single investment in the island nation since a crippling economic crisis last year.

Invisible hand behind Roshan’s removal: Sajith

There is an invisible hand behind the removal of Roshan Ranasinghe from the Cabinet, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa said.

Thai groom kills four at wedding, including bride

A Thai para-athlete and former soldier shot his bride and three others before killing himself on his wedding day, police told the BBC.

Harin Fernando appointed Sports Minister; Pavithra gets Irrigation

Harin Fernando has been appointed as the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Absence of competent Police OICs a hindrance in netting organised criminals

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has decided to regulate private security firms and has requested the Defence Ministry prepare a system to this effect.

Roshan’s alleged vehicle scam: MP Nimal vouches for Daily Mirror news report

The Daily Mirror report on November 25 2023 under the title “Alleged smuggled Land Cruiser seized from Minister Roshan Ransainghe’s vehicle yard” was confirmed by MP Nimal Piyatissa in Parliament today.

Six Sri Lankan colonial artefacts to come home

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has announced the imminent return of six Sri Lankan colonial artifacts, currently housed in the prestigious Rijksmuseum Amsterdam.

Roshan Ranasinghe sacked by President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has sacked Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe from his portfolio.

President, Sagala will have to be responsible if I am killed: Sports Minister

While stating that he will be bumped off anytime, Minister of Sports Roshan Ranasinghe said the Executive will have to be responsible for such an eventuality.

40 government hospitals shut down, 100 on the verge of closure

An alarming number of approximately 40 government hospitals across the island have shut down, with an additional 100 on the verge of closure.

Tamil Nadu government failed to understand the problem in Sri Lanka: Murali

India, specifically the governments in Tamil Nadu, had failed to understand the ethnic conflict during the Sri Lankan civil war, legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan said Sunday. He was speaking on the sidelines of a masterclass session on the sports biopic ‘A Legendary 800 – Against All Odds’, based on his life, at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

Sajith asks Speaker to arrange meeting for MPs with ICC Chairman

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today requested the Speaker to arrange a meeting with International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Greg Barclay during his scheduled visit to Sri Lanka.

Resigned SLC Secretary to return to SL amid Minister’s remarks

In the wake of the remarks made by Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe that the recently resigned Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board Mohan de Silva, had contacted him from Australia, exposing corruption within the SLC, Mohan de Silva is expected to return to Sri Lanka this week.

Pfizer vaccines worth Rs.10 billion destroyed in 2022

The life span of over seven million doses of Pfizer vaccines worth Rs.10,736 million expired in 2022 and thus were destroyed without being used.

CSD fails to collect outstanding Rs.334 Mn from public, private entities

The Department of Civil Security (CSD) is facing a significant challenge in recovering arrears from public and private institutions for services provided up to December 31, 2022, according to the annual Audit Report 2022.

Free sanitary napkins for school girls from next year: Susil

Arrangements have been made to provide sanitary napkins to girls in schools from next year, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha informed Parliament today.

20 small girls abused in children’s home in Ratnapura: Geetha

The husband of a warden of a children’s home in Ratnapura has abused 20 small girls who are under the care of a home, State Minister of Women’s Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe told Parliament today.

10,077 train services cancelled, 120,993 scheduled in 2022

The publication of the 2022 annual Auditor General’s report reveals that out of a total of 120,993 scheduled train services for the year, 10,077 train services were cancelled in 2022.

Malaysia to allow visa-free entry to Chinese, Indian nationals from December 1

Malaysia will grant visa-free entry to citizens of China and India for stays of up to 30 days starting on December 1, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Countrywide protest today demanding Rs. 20,000 salary hike

A countrywide protest campaign is scheduled to be launched today (27) at lunchtime, forcing the government to grant a minimum Rs. 20,000 salary hike or allowance to government employees, the State and Provincial Public Service Unions Association said.

Shakib Al Hasan to contest in Bangladesh’s Parliamentary elections

Bangladesh veteran cricketer Shakib Al Hasan will be contesting in his country’s 12th Parliamentary elections. After receiving confirmation of his nomination from the Awami League, Shakib will be fighting for the polls from his home district Magura-1 constituency.

Climate protest: More than 100 arrested at world’s largest coal port

A two-day blockade of the world’s largest coal port has triggered 109 arrests. Hundreds of activists swam or used kayaks to occupy the Newcastle port’s shipping lane in Australia, to protest climate inaction.

Ready to send workers to Palestine, Russia or Ukraine if security is assured: Manusha

In the aftermath of the decision to send Sri Lankan expatriate workers to Israel despite the conflict in the Gaza Strip, Minister of Labour Manusha Nanayakkara said that they are even prepared to send workers to Palestine, Russia or Ukraine, if those countries assured that there is adequate security for Sri Lankan workers.

Dengue cases in nine months surpass tally of cases in 2020, 2021

The dengue cases logged in the nine months of this year have already surpassed the total number of cases reported for the years 2020 and 2021.

Showery condition to enhance during next few days

Showery weather conditions are expected to enhance over most parts of the island for the next few days, starting today (27), the forecasting division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Sri Lanka initiates legislative work to recognize more foreign medical colleges

Sri Lanka initiates legislative work to recognize medical degrees offered by foreign universities internationally ranked up to 1000, an official said.

President yet to name new IGP as C.D. Wickramaratne retires

The position of Sri Lanka’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) remains vacant, with Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, in-charge of Administration, overseeing the duties of the IGP until an official appointment is made, police said.

Sri Lanka tells United Kingdom ‘We want equal treatment not revisit on past happenings’

In its fresh engagement with the United Kingdom (UK) regarding the UNHRC process, Sri Lanka has categorically said that it wants equal treatment but not revisit past happenings, an official said.

2,367 children enrolled in popular schools outside formal system: Auditor General Report

The 2022 annual auditor general report claimed that 2,367 children have been enrolled in popular schools outside the formal system for nearly three years.