Former pacer named chief selector as Pakistan’s reshuffle continues after CWC23

Former Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz has been named the chief selector of the Pakistan men’s national team in the aftermath of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. He will take over from Inzamam-ul-Haq, who had tendered his resignation during the tournament.

Printing shop in Grandpass engulfed in flames

A printing shop in the Kettarama area in Grandpass was engulfed in a sudden fire this evening (17).

Second Base Jumping event from Lotus Tower starts tomorrow

The second wingsuit Base Jumping event will be launched from the top of the Lotus Tower tomorrow (18), the Lotus Tower management said.

SLC grants Rs. 28 mn in cash awards to Asian Games medal winners

Tharushi Karunaratne, the Asian Games Gold Medalist, Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge, the ‘Silver Medalist’, and 09 other athletes who made the country proud by winning bronze medals during the concluded Asian Games 2023 were recognized and given cash awards.

Sri Lanka seeks investors for nuclear power plants

Sri Lanka will call for expressions of interest (EOI) in setting up nuclear power plants, its energy minister said on Friday, as it seeks cheap electricity to support its economic recovery.

COPF wants Bribery Commission Chairman’s salary increased

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has recommended that the salary scale of the Chairman of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) should be increased.

Kanchana challenges Sajith to file lawsuit if substandard fuel distributed

Refuting allegations that permission had been granted to unload stocks of substandard fuel, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara today challenged Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to file a lawsuit if substandard fuel had been distributed.

Umandawa Hospital, Wellness Centre to be handed over to government tomorrow

The Mahahoshadha Hospital and the first phase of the Wellness Centre were constructed under the guidance of Ven. Siri Samanthabhadra Thera will be handed over to the government for public welfare tomorrow, the Government Information Department said.

Discontinue Select Committee to probe economic crisis: Anura tells Speaker

The Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by SLPP MP Sagara Kariyawasam to look into the insolvency of Sri Lanka should be discontinued as the Supreme Court has given a judgment on those who were instrumental in the country’s economic debacle, NPP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

DCSL enters beer business with Heineken Lanka acquisition

Leading local spirits maker Distilleries Company of Sir Lanka PLC (DCSL) has entered into an agreement with Heineken International B.V. to acquire all its shares in Heineken Lanka Limited for an undisclosed price.

President talks to Jay Shah over cricket crisis in Sri Lanka: Kanchana

President Ranil Wickremesinghe had a discussion with Asian Cricket Council president Jay Shah on Thursday to discuss the cricket crisis in Sri Lanka, Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said today.

COPE meetings suspended until further notice: Speaker

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) will not be convened until issues pertaining to its chairman is resolved, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced today.

Tracks cleared, upcountry train services back to normal

Obstructions to the upcountry railway line near the Diyatalawa railway station caused by a rock fall have been cleared and train services are back to normal.

VAT increase in January will not affect electricity bills

Even though the value-added tax (VAT) has been increased from January, it will not affect several sectors, including electricity tariffs, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Court orders police not to arrest Pastor Jerome on arrival at airport

The Court of Appeal today issued an order directing police not to arrest Pastor Jerome Fernando on his arrival at the airport or anywhere in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon.

'He'll go down as one of the legends’: De Kock bows out of ODIs

Quinton de Kock’s One Day International career has come to a close with defeat in Thursday’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final against Australia.

Colombo-Badulla train stuck due to rock fall

The night-mail train from Colombo Fort to Badulla has been stuck between Haputale and Diyatalawa railway stations due to a rock falling on the train and the railway line this morning, the Railways Department said.

Sri Lankan businessman kidnapped in India

A Sri Lanka-based businessman, kidnapped by a gang of six, including a woman, over a financial transaction, was rescued by city police in Chennai after they received a distress call from the abducted man’s daughter who lives in Sri Lanka.

SC holds W.D.Lakshman, Cabraal, S.R. Atygalle, Kumarasinghe violated public trust

While holding the guilty persons’ liable and naming them, including one member of the Monetary Board, the Supreme Court in its recent judgment regarding two fundamental rights petitions filed over economic crisis, decided not to make any adverse decisions or orders against two Monetary Board members President’s Counsel Dr. Sanjeeva Jayawardena and Dr. Ranee Jayamaha.

STF seizes illegally imported cigarettes worth Rs.1.3 billion in Grandpass

The Police Special Task Force (STF) seized a 40-foot container in the Grandpass area, with over 10 million sticks of cigarettes with a street value of Rs. 1,300 million.

New syllabus for sex education in the offing

In a significant move to address the rising concerns of child abuse, the government is mulling a new syllabus for sex education in schools.

Millionaire businessman father’s vehicle crashes into son’s vehicle

Two cars driven by a millionaire businessman in Beruwala area and his son deliberately collided head-on each other in the early hours of yesterday (16) in Beruwala town, causing damage to the two vehicles, police said.

2023 Grade five scholarship exam: Cut-off marks released

The Examinations Department today released the cut-off marks for the enrolment of students into Grade Six next year, based on the 2023 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination.

Onmax DT directors released on bail

The five directors of the Onmax DT private company, who were arrested pertaining to the operation of an illegal pyramid scheme, were released on three sureties of Rs. 10 million each by Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis yesterday (16).

2023 Grade 5 exam results release today

The Examinations Department announced the release of the 2023 Grade 5 scholarship examination results today, the Department’s Commissioner General H.J.M.C Amith Jayasundara said.

Australia beat South Africa to reach World Cup final

David Miller registered a stunning knock of 101 off 116 balls to help South Africa score 212 runs while batting first at Eden Gardens. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc took three wickets each for Australia to make a difference in the second semifinal.

LIOC assures highest quality products to Sri Lankan consumers

Lanka IOC (LIOC) assures Sri Lankan consumers the highest standards in all its products reaching them.

Sports Minister orders probe into Pramodya’s match-fixing allegations

Minister of sports Roshan Ranasinghe has ordered a probe on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee Chairman Pramodya Wickramasinghe’s statement where he had made allegations on match fixing and betting.

Rajapaksas are not the only perpetrators

Rajapakas are not the only perpetrators when it comes to the economic downturn that Sri Lanka has suffered, a senior UNPer said.

President leaves for Maldives

President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island a short while ago to attend the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, president-elect of the Republic of Maldives, the President’s Media Division said.