Portugal prime minister resigns amid corruption investigation

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has said he is resigning, just hours after prosecutors detained his chief of staff in a probe into alleged corruption in his administration’s handling of lithium mining and hydrogen projects in the country.

CPSTL denies allegations of unloading fuel with substandard quality

While rejecting the media reports, Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited (CPSTL) said they do not unload fuel that does not meet the required standards.

Will reveal names behind move to suspend interim committee: Arjuna

In the wake of the court decision that suspended the operation of the gazette notification in respect of SLC’s Interim Committee, its Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga said he will divulge the names behind the move in the near future.

Beware when bathing in sea or walking barefoot along beach

There is a slight increase in the roaming of the highly poisonous fish species called ’Gonmaha-Stone Fish’ in the sea areas these days with the changing of the monsoon, Parasitology Department Senior Lecturer Dr. Janaka Ruben said.

Kelani Valley line cleared

The train services that were delayed on the Kelani Valley railway line were restored a short while ago, the Railways Department said.

Audit initiated to probe any sugar scams after recent tax hike: Siyambalapitiya

An audit has been initiated by the Inland Revenue Department to find out whether the sugar importers had earned undue profits due to the increase in the Special Commodity Levy on sugar, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

Train services on Kelani Valley line delayed

Train services on the Kelani Valley railway line will be delayed due to a tree falling on the tracks between Maradana and Baseline Road, the Railways Department said.

Vehicular movements on several roads in Colombo obstructed

Vehicular movements on several roads, including York Street, Maradana, and Dulpliction Road, have been obstructed due to several trees and branches falling, the police said.

Lawyer cum TNA MP Sumanthiran asks people to defy law

While saying that people must take to the streets against the mismanagement of the economy, TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran said people should be ready to rally together even in defiance of existing legal restrictions.

Government ready to increase salaries of public sector

The promise made by the President to increase the salaries of public employees has been made a reality in a way that does not put pressure on the people, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.

Probe needed over leaked information about sugar tax: Manusha

It is questionable how businessmen received information about an increase in the import tax on sugar even before the proposal was presented to the Cabinet, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara asked.

48-hour postal strike from tonight

The United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) has decided to launch a 48-hour strike from midnight today, UPTUF convener Chinthaka Bandara said.

Shakib Al Hasan defends timed out appeal: Calls for ICC rule change if necessary

Shakib Al Hasan stood firm on his decision not to withdraw the timed out appeal against Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews during BAN vs SL World Cup 2023 match.

First-ever abseiling activity launched at Lotus Tower

The Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (Private) Limited has just announced the first-ever abseiling activity in Sri Lanka as their brand new pilot programme.

SLC writes cheques for billions just before interim committee is appointed: Minister

Officials of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had written cheques amounting to billions of rupees during the last few days expecting an interim committee to be appointed, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe said today.

President wanted me to abolish interim committee: Roshan Ranasinghe

President Ranil Wickremesinghe wanted me to abolish the interim committee when he met me after the Cabinet meeting yesterday, Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe told Parliament today.

Arjuna, Upali leave SLC premises following court order

In response to the interim order by the Court of Appeal, which suspended the operation of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Interim Committee, Arjuna Ranathunga, the appointed Chairman of the Committee and Upali Dharmadasa, a committee member, were seen leaving the SLC premises.

Heeanatyana Mahesh’s associate nabbed with firearms, ammunition

A 25-year-old suspect, a close associate of underworld figure ’Heeanatyana Mahesh’, who is operating from Dubai, has been arrested by the STF along with a T56 firearm and two pistols.

Sections of Online Safety Bill inconsistent with Constitution: SC

The Supreme Court has observed that some sections of the Online Safety Bill is inconsistent with the Constitution and the bill has to be approved by a special majority.

Defence Ministry investigates dual role of Civil Security Department members

The Ministry of Defence has announced that an investigation is underway to determine whether members of the Civil Security Department, who have been assigned to carry out tasks at places of worship, state and other institutions, are engaged in activities beyond their official duties.

Court stays SLC Interim Committee

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the operation of the gazette notification in respect of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Interim Committee appointed by the Sports Minister.

Azharuddin slapped with four corruption cases

Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has been slapped with four cases of alleged corruption, mere weeks prior to the Telangana assembly elections. The cricketer-turned-politician is planning to contest the elections from Jubilee Hills constituency.

No inferior quality diesel stock released: Mìnister responds

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara refuted claims that inferior quality diesel stock is being released to the market.

Substandard diesel stock being released: Sajith

A stock of 40,000 MTs of substandard diesel is being released to the market despite quality failures, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa revealed today.

Central Bank cancels Bimputh Finance license and initiates compensation payments

While issuing a public notice, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) announced that the license issued to Bimputh Finance PLC (BFP) to carry on finance business has been cancelled with effect from September 1, 2023.

Supreme Court dismisses petitions challenging Anti-Terrorism Bill

The Supreme Court has dismissed the petitions filed against the Anti-Terrorism Bill.

Mathews releases ‘video evidence’ to refute umpire’s two-minute claim

Angelo Mathews has refuted the fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock’s claims that the batter, who was ‘Timed out’ against Bangladesh, was not ready to face his first delivery within two minutes of walking in before his helmet broke, saying the team has video evidence of him being ready in time.

Misty conditions expected in four provinces during morning

Misty conditions can be expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Uva Provinces during the morning, and heavy showers above 75 mm will occur in most provinces, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Sri Lanka cricket in shambles

Hours after Sports Minister Roshan Ranasingha appointed an interim committee headed by former cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga to assume control of Sri Lanka Cricket yesterday, an angry President Ranil Wickremesinghe telephoned Ranasingha and asked for an immediate explanation as to why he had made such a move without consulting him or the cabinet.

Officer charged with damaging historical site appointed to Buddhist Affairs Ministry

A new episode on the story of the destruction of the historical Raja Saba Mandapa in Kurunegala has emerged, with an officer attached to the Kurunegala Municipal Council charged with the crime reportedly appointed as an Additional Commissioner of Buddhist Affairs and the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs denying knowledge of it.