Attorney General carrying out investigations into Channel 4 allegations

The Attorney General is currently carrying out investigations into the allegations by Channel 4 over the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told Parliament today.

Man arrested over Rs. 16mn land fraud with forged power-of-attorney

A suspect has been arrested for defrauding money by forging the power-of-attorney for a land of 04 acres and 23 perches in Pannala, taking possession of the property and selling it for Rs. 16 million.

Budget cheated state employees; nothing can be expected: Joseph Stalin

None of the requests made by the state employees were fulfilled by the 2024 budget presented by the President, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Budget proposes to steer economy through same failed economic path: AKD

The budget 2024 has proposed to steer the country through the same failed economic path instead of finding permanent solutions to the grave economic issues faced by the country, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Senior DIG Deshabandu refutes claim: Vows to resign if allegations proven

Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon yesterday refuted the claim that he had accepted a confidential consultancy role with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and asserted that if there were any substantiated proof demonstrating that he had received any form of benefits from SLC, he would promptly resign from his current position.

SC holds Deradicalization Regulations are not legally valid

The Supreme Court yesterday made a declaration that the regulations issued by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in respect of Prevention of Terrorism (De-radicalization from holding violent extremist religious ideology) Regulations No. 01 of 2021 are not legally valid.

Mahela writes an open letter to Aravinda de Silva

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardena pays a heartfelt tribute to newly inducted ICC Hall of Famer Aravinda de Silva.

Diana happy about introduction of flexible opening hours for liquor shops, bars

State Minister Diana Gamage welcomed the budget proposal to introduce a system of flexible opening hours for liquor shops and bars.

A welfare budget coupled with reforms

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance yesterday presented a multi-faced budget with greater emphasis on a welfare package which comprises a salary hike for public servants after nearly a decade.

Thirteen post offices in Western Province open 24/7 for traffic fines

Thirteen post offices in the Western Province-South, covering Colombo and Kalutara, will remain open 24 hours, offering night services to accept fines related to traffic offenses.

Shakib & BCB Prеsidеnt handed lеgal noticе after disastrous World Cup campaign

In a shocking turn of еvеnts, Bangladеsh’s crickеt captain, Shakib Al Hasan, along with BCB Prеsidеnt Nazmul Hasan Papon and CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury, has bееn sеrvеd a lеgal noticе following thе tеam’s dismal pеrformancе in thе ongoing ICC Crickеt World Cup 2023.

Australian club cricketer takes six wickets in final over to win match

It is a cricketing miracle that could sit alongside Ian Botham 1981 or Ben Stokes 2019. But instead of Headingley, this latest incredible comeback took place in the humble surroundings of the Carrara Community Centre on Australia’s Gold Coast.

I never discussed budget proposals with President: MR

Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was yet to make a decision regarding the budget for 2024, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that the party would make a decision shortly.

Iranian woman who entered Sri Lanka with forged Austrian passport nabbed during exit

A female Iranian passenger who had entered Sri Lanka on a forged Austrian passport was nabbed by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials while she was attempting to leave the country with the same passport this afternoon.

SLC granted over Rs. 289m to the National Sports Fund

It is reported that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has granted more than Rs. 289m to the National Sports Fund (NSF) operating under the Ministry of Sports for the last two years 2021-2022.

Providing ownership of urban homes - People celebrate, thank President

Soon after the President’s announcement to hand over the full ownership of urban homes to the respective families, people were seen celebrating their happiness.

Ex-PM David Cameron appointed foreign secretary

Former British prime minister David Cameron is set to become foreign secretary, the Telegraph newspaper reported, returning to the political front line after he quit in 2016 when he failed to keep Britain in the European Union.

Lunch instead of traditional Budget tea party

The usual tea party which is held for MPs and other invitees after the second reading of the budget was not held this year. Instead, a late lunch was hosted for them because the presentation of the budget began at 12 noon.

CEA Chairman granted bail over alleged bribery incident

Chairman of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Supun Shashendra Pathirage held in remand custody for alleged bribery charges was today granted bail after being produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

200 electric buses to join SLTB in Western Province in 2024

While digitizing the Department of Motor Traffic in 2024, a pilot project of running 200 electric buses will be started jointly with the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) in the Western Province.

Prez. justifies using historical post office buildings for tourism

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today justified the allocation of the Nuwara Eliya Post Office to the tourism industry.

Kandy multi-transport center project to commence in January 2024

The Kandy multi-transport center project will be started in January 2024 to remove the vehicle and passenger traffic congestion in Kandy and integrate train, bus and other taxi services.

Budget 2024 allocates Rs.3bn to promote digital economy

Budget 2024 allocates Rs.3 billion to facilitate a digital economy by the year 2030.

’Suraksha’ Students’ Insurance Scheme to be reintroduced

President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed to reintroduce the ’Suraksha’ Students’ Insurance Scheme, which was introduced in 2016 but is currently not in operation.

Sri Lanka to eliminate CESS, Port and Airport Levy

As a primary step to improving Sri Lanka’s deeper connectivity with foreign trade and global markets, the budget 2024 proposes to eliminate non-tariff import taxes, including import CESS, Port, and Airport Levies.

Govt. proposes to divest 20% each in two largest state banks

The budget 2024 proposes to divest 20 percent stake in the two largest state banks in the country.

SMEs to receive fresh boost from 2024 budget

Sri Lanka’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will receive a fresh boost next year with the Budget 2024 entailing a proposal to help uplift businesses in that sector.

Legal hurdles impede large-scale, low-cost renewable energy grid integration

The President highlighted the removal of legal obstacles hindering the integration of large-scale, low-cost renewable energy into the primary electricity grid.

President proposes Rs. 10,000 raise for state employees in 2024 Budget

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed a Rs. 10,000 increase in the Cost of Living Allowance for government employees while presenting the 2024 budget to Parliament.

President arrives at Parliament

President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at Parliament a short while ago and will present the Budget 2024 shortly.