GMOA calls for a clean sweep as new Health Minister takes charge

While welcoming the newly appointed Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) stressed the importance of doing away with certain health officials in the health ministry and other institutions, especially the NMRA and MSD.

Conservative peer highlights Chinese investment in SL amidst cuts to overseas aid budget

Citing Sri Lanka as a prime example, the UK’s Conservative peer Lord Hugo Swire drew attention to the adverse effects of cutting the UK’s overseas aid budget, which has inadvertently created opportunities for other countries, notably China, to step in and provide financial support.

Govt aims to generate 4,000 MW of electricity through solar panels: Kanchana

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday said that his ministry intends to designate 14,000 acres of land and water areas for the purpose of generating 4,000 MW of electricity through the installation of solar panels within the next six years.

CEB restructuring bill likely to reach Cabinet next week

Sri Lanka’s proposed power sector reforms may reach the Cabinet of Ministers by next week, as the Attorney General is expected to clear the bill to restructure the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) this week, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said yesterday.

Electric vehicle import licenses issued to Lankans who sent remittances through legal channels

A total of 318 electric vehicle import licenses have been issued to Sri Lankans who have sent remittances to Sri Lanka through legal channels, and USD 38 million has been received for importing vehicles, the Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry said.

Afghanistan send Pakistan crashing to shock World Cup defeat

Afghanistan put on a superb batting and bowling display to hand Pakistan a stunning eight-wicket defeat in the Cricket World Cup on Monday.

Refund of AlT deducted on interest for senior citizens over 60 years

The lnland Revenue Department (lRD) today announced a significant financial relief initiative for senior citizens aged 60 and above, lnland Revenue (Acting) Commissioner General Upul Jayawardhana said.

SL Navy seizes suspected heroin aboard local fishing trawler

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a local multiday fishing trawler with a large stock of narcotics suspected to be heroin on the high seas, following a special operation on receipt of information from the State Intelligence Service.

CCD arrests five suspects over alleged Dubai-backed murder plot

Five individuals suspected of having plotted to kill a local businessman under the alleged direction of an organized criminal based in Dubai, have been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) along with live grenades and several swords in the Horampella area of Minuwangoda.

Matheesha returns to Sri Lanka, exit yet to be ratified by ICC technical committee

Seamer Matheesha Pathirana, who has been ruled out of the Cricket World Cup, returned home from Bengaluru today.

MR reduced electricity tariff for the first time in history: Sagara Kariyawasam

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa worked with a generation plan, created massive projects like Upper Kothmale, Norochcholai and Uma Oya and worked to provide electricity to the country at low cost, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary and MP Sagara Kariyawasam said.

Power generation remains below expected levels, despite heavy rainfall: Minister

The rainfall in the area where the primary reservoirs responsible for power generation remain below the expected levels, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said.

Probe launched over illicit import of electric vehicles under migrant worker scheme

Customs authorities have seized seven vehicles suspected of being illicitly imported using electronic vehicle import licenses meant for migrant workers, the State Minister of Finance said

India spin great Bedi dies aged 77

Former skipper Bishan Singh Bedi was a bold and sometimes rash voice in Indian cricket known as much for impetuous commentary on other players as his stellar left-arm spin.

Triple threat of diarrhea, respiratory and eye diseases

The Public Health Inspectors’ Union urged the public to exercise caution as there is a surge of three diseases due to the ongoing inclement weather conditions in the island.

Legal action by environmental organizations halted: Amaraweera

The initial programme to send 100,000 toque monkeys to zoos in China was disrupted due to lawsuits filed by environmental organizations, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Distribution of air rifles to farmers to prevent crop damage by wild animals

The Agriculture Ministry has begun distributing air rifles to farmers at concessional prices from yesterday (22), Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

The Maldives’ new president wants India out

’’We don’t want any foreign military boots on Maldivian soil… I promised this to the people of the Maldives and I will live up to my promise from day one.’’

SL-based loan rings linked to family’s suicide in Kerala

Officers investigating the suicide of a four-member family in Kadamakkudy, Kerala have uncovered the potential role of Sri Lankan-based criminal networks linked to online instant loan applications.

'Key player' ruled out of World Cup; Here’s England’s playing XI vs Sri Lanka

In a massive setback for England, ace speedster Reece Topley has been ruled out of the World Cup 2023 due to injury.

Earth slip kills schoolboy in Kolonna

A schoolboy from Kudalihena in Kolonna died when his house was buried by an earth slip in the early hours of this morning.

First pill for dengue shows promise in human challenge trial

A pill for dengue fever developed by Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) appeared to protect against a form of the virus in a handful of patients in a small human challenge trial in the United States, according to data presented by the company.

NIA arrests absconding accused in Sri Lankan human trafficking case

A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Bengaluru on Sunday arrested an absconding accused from Tamil Nadu in a Sri Lankan human trafficking case.

Indonesian female nabbed with Cocaine worth Rs.230mn

An Indonesian female was arrested with 4.598 kilograms of cocaine worth more than Rs. 230 million while attempting to smuggle it into the country, Customs media spokesman and director Sivali Arukgoda said.

Accident kills two in Andiambalama

Two persons died following a fatal accident in Andiambalama, Katunayake, last night, police said.

Worst-performing health minister stripped from Cabinet post; gets a new portfolio

In the midst of brewing crisis in the health sector riddled with corruption, administrative lapses and the influx of inferior quality drugs, President Ranil Wickremesinghe removed Keheliya Rambukwella dubbed as the worst performing health minister from his Cabinet post today and appointed him as the Environment Minister instead.

CBSL to focus on commercial banks for not reducing bank interest rates

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to pay close attention to the commercial banks and financial institutions that have not yet reduced bank interest rates, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

President disappointed with performance? Goes for cabinet reshuffle

Following a Cabinet reshuffle this morning, Mahinda Amaraweera was appointed as the Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister and Keheliya Rambukwella as the Environment Minister a short while ago.

Lawyers warn of death knell for internet, freedom of expression by online safety bill

The Bar Association, media institutions, advocacy groups, and more than 40 other petitioners challenged the Online Safety Bill in a two-day hearing before the Supreme Court judges Priyantha Jayawardhene, Achala Wengappuli, and Shiran Gunarathne last week.

Family members suspect foul play over Lalith Kotelawala’s death

The family members of late businessman Deshamanya Dr. Lalith Kotelawala yesterday sought an order from the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court to conduct a post-mortem examination into the death of Mr. Kotelawala citing his death occurred in suspicious circumstances.