Ahead of American visit, AKD toys USA

We pointed out that the economic difficulties the people of Sri Lanka are currently suffering have intensified due to intervention of I.M.F.

Accumulated losses in NHDA exceeds Rs 20bn: COPE

Accumulated losses of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) have exceeded Rs. 20 billion while disparities have taken place since 2015, as revealed by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) today.

Sri Lanka look to bounce back after horror start

Coming into the World Cup, Sri Lanka Skipper Dasun Shanaka had hoped that the 2023 Asia Cup finalists would put on a strong show in Indian soil. What transpired during the last couple of weeks were three heartbreaking defeats and him, Shanaka, out of the tournament with an injury.

Debt restructuring accelerated through IMF agreement: Semasinghe

State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe stated that the Agreement entered with the IMF and the staff-level agreement reached following the First Review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement will support settling arrears owed to multilateral creditors while expediting the debt restructuring process.

Sri Lankan lawmakers express mixed views on Israel-Palestine conflict

Sri Lankan Parliament today called for a ceasefire in Gaza and called for a peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Diana claims she was assaulted

The House went into an uproar when State Minister Diana Gamage informed the chair that she was assaulted by Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Sujith Sanjaya Perera at the lobby.

'Not an upset' if Dutch keep winning at World Cup

Dutch batsman Teja Nidamanuru believes it will not be an ’’upset’’ if his team defeat Sri Lanka on Saturday and keep alive their bid to reach the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.

Another Sri Lankan-born turns into a scammer in Australia

A Sri Lankan-born Melbourne financial planner, Terence Rio Rienzo Nugara, accused of pilfering about $10 million from the superannuation funds of vulnerable clients, pleaded guilty in the County Court last month to 37 charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and two of theft, Australia’s The Age news agency reported.

Bus falls down precipice, one killed, 30 injured

An elderly woman was killed and 30 others were injured when a passenger bus fell into a precipice in the Ulpotha area of Meegahakivula, Badulla, this morning, the police said.

SL offers training and expertise to Congolese armed forces

Sri Lanka has extended an offer to share its expertise in peacekeeping missions and provide training to the Congolese armed forces, in a move aligned with Sri Lanka’s defense diplomacy, according to a statement from the Sri Lankan mission in Nairobi.

PUCSL increasing electricity tariff to IMF’s, not independently

With the latest increase in the electricity tariff for the third time, it is clear that the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is not independent and the commission is dancing according to the tune of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government, said Samagi United Trade Union Force (SUTUF) convener and media spokesman Ananda Palitha.

Sri Lanka aims to fill IT workforce gap by equipping high school graduates

Annually, there are 20,000 IT job openings, with Sri Lankan universities producing only 10,000 IT graduates

Bribery Commission member has accepted a bribe: Minister

A member of the Bribery Commission has accepted a bribe for filing legal action against the newly enacted Anti-Corruption Bill, Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapaksha told Parliament today.

Asian Para Games begins tomorrow

The fourth Asian Para Games will start tomorrow in Hangzhou China featuring 22 sports and is scheduled to continue until October 28.

Justice Minister, Aluthgamage resorting to unconscionable conduct: Speaker

Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapaksha and MP Mahindananda Althugamage have resorted to unconscionable conduct by calling for mob aggression and agreeing to participate in such aggression against the Constitutional Council, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena ruled today.

China’s Xi offers to help Sri Lanka, buy more of its exports

China is willing to offer assistance to Sri Lanka without political conditions and buy more of its exports, President Xi Jinping told his Sri Lankan counterpart during a meeting in Beijing on Friday, state media said.

CEB increases electricity tariffs from today

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has received permission from the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) to increase electricity tariffs from today (20).

Ranil meets Xi Jinping

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Chinese President Xi Jinping a short while ago during his visit to China, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Chinese Finance Minister reaffirms support for Sri Lanka’s debt optimising strategy

Chinese Finance Minister Liu Kun has reaffirmed China’s commitment to extend comprehensive support for the implementation of a medium-term and long-term programme that is mutually beneficial to both parties and aimed at optimising Sri Lanka’s debt, a statement from President’s Media Division said.

Panic-stricken SLPP MPs in opposition plead for innocence

Following the Supreme Court ruling that led to the loss of the parliamentary seat of former Minister Naseer Ahmad, some Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MPs who joined hands with the opposition have pleaded with the party hierarchy not to proceed with disciplinary action against them lest they will lose their seats in the House, Daily Mirror learns.

Unusual ground sounds in Hedunuwewa linked to underground water pressure: Geological Expert

Asserting that the most potential reason for the unusual sound heard by people as originating from the ground in the Hedunuwewa areas in the Nuwara Eliya District could be due to pressure in the underground water table, a geological expert said the exact reason could be ascertained only after a proper geological investigation or research under available methods.

Passenger facilities at Palali Airport to be expanded at estimated cost of Rs.200mn

In a bid to meet the growing demand for international and domestic air travel, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, has given the green light for a significant upgrade to passenger facilities at Palali Airport.

SL secures staff-level deal with IMF on first review

Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have successfully reached a staff-level agreement regarding the first review of Sri Lanka’s US $ 3 billion, 48-month, Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

David Cameron criticised for role in Chinese-backed project in Sri Lanka

David Cameron is facing criticism for promoting a Chinese-funded port city in Sri lanka amid concerns that it will give Beijing a significant foothold in the Indo-Pacific, The Times reported.

Pilots’ Guild denies Minister’s comments over engaging in industrial actions

While claiming that they have not resorted to any industrial actions, the Airline Pilots’ Guild of Sri Lanka (ALPGSL) stressed in a statement that they actively engage with the management and the relevant authorities, including the Minister, to seek solutions to the matters affecting the airline throughout this entire time.

SL has health policy for students, education administrative structure parallel to Health Ministry: Minister

Sri Lanka has a health policy for students and the education administrative structure is parallel to the Health Ministry’s structure, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

US advises all Americans overseas to exercise increased caution’ in worldwide alert

The US State Department on Thursday advised all US citizens worldwide “to exercise increased caution” due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

Notable upswing in dengue infections

With the prevailing rainy conditions, Sri Lanka is witnessing an uptick in dengue cases as compared to the previous month.

Suspension from Parliament a blessing in disguise : Mannapperuma

SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma who was suspended from Parliament for four weeks today said the suspension is a blessing in disguise as he was planning to boycott sessions.

Rugby legend Navaratnam dies aged 98

Former Sri Lanka Rugby star Sumanthiran (Summa) Navaratnam passed away today, (19) aged 98.