BASL urges government to immediately withdraw Anti-Terrorism Bill and Online Safety Bill

The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urged the Government to immediately withdraw the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Online Safety Bill which were recently published in the Gazettes.

Five arrested over supermarket staff brutally assaulting female

At least five persons, a group of staff members of a leading supermarket outlet in Borella were arrested over an incident of brutally assaulting a female customer.

Textile businessman shot dead in Galle

A textile businessman in Galle was reported dead after being shot at while travelling in a car on Dickson Road in Galle, Police said.

Sri Lanka pays off $200m loan from Bangladesh with $4.5m interest

Sri Lanka has paid off the entirety of USD $200 million loan from Bangladesh, taken through a currency exchange agreement two years ago to survive the severe dollar shortage.

Malaysian Police tracking down two Sri Lankan triple murder suspects

KUALA LUMPUR: A police manhunt is underway for two male Sri Lankan suspects over their alleged involvement in the murders of three of their fellow countrymen at a shophouse on Perhentian Street in Lower Kovil Village, Sentul here last night.

Chinese President Xi Jinping declares Asian Games open

Hangzhou: Chinese President Xi Jinping opened the COVID-19 delayed 19th Asian Games on Saturday in the Eastern city of Hangzhou during a shiny and at times raucous opening ceremony on Saturday.

Cancellation of LG poll nominations incurs loss of Rs 01 Bn

The recent decision to cancel nominations submitted for the local government elections may lead to a significant financial loss of over one billion rupees, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).

Textbooks to be distributed before schools start next year: Minister

Arrangements have been made to ensure the distribution of textbooks among school children for next year before the commencement of the school year 2024, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Finance Ministry to remove import restrictions except on vehicles from Oct .1

The Finance Ministry has taken measures to remove the import restrictions on all currently restricted items, except on private vehicles, from October 1, Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said.

Food security threat looms as 61,682 acres of rice fields destroyed

As many as 62,141 acres of cultivated lands, mostly rice, have been destroyed mainly due to the dry spell and heavy rains that followed triggering concerns about food security in case the upcoming Maha season fails, an official said.

A 12-hour water cut in Colombo

Water supply will be interrupted for twelve hours from today at 6.00 p.m. in Colombo due to repairs to the Ambatale water distribution line, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Keep intelligence matters private or risk security, international ridicule: Vajira

Emphasizing the need for discretion in intelligence matters, Government MP Vajira Abeywardane stressed that achievements or failures of the intelligence authorities should not be debated in public no matter what.

Take immediate steps to prevent Nipah virus entering country: Amaraweera advises DAPH

In order to prevent the deadly Nipah virus disease from entering Sri Lanka, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today advised the Animal Production and Health Department (DAPH) Director General Dr. Hemali Kotalawala to start appropriate disease surveillance activities immediately.

My son studying in the US assists me voluntarily: Ali Sabry

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, in his response to the public outcry on his son’s presence at UN events with him, said, “Having seen the concerns raised on social media, on the presence of my son at a couple of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA, I would like to place the following facts.

AKD asks Pilleyan if he is still paid by intelligence services

Claiming that the group led by Parliamentarian Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan has been paid Rs.3.5 million per month by the intelligence services, NPP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake questioned whether the group is still being paid that amount.

Harin flown abroad for urgent medical treatment

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando has been flown abroad for urgent medical treatment following doctor’s advice.

Port City to be launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Sep. 26

Port City Colombo (PCC) would be launched in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on September 26, Investment Promotion Minister Dilum Amunugama told Parliament this week.

National Information Technology and Business Process Management Week to kick off in October

Sri Lanka’s information technology (IT) sector will come under fresh spotlight, with the National IT and BPM Week set to be held from October 11 to 13, at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Hall, Colombo.

Japan donates MRI machine to National Hospital

The Japanese embassy in Sri Lanka handed over a MRI machine to the National Hospital in Sri Lanka (NHSL), a statement from the embassy said.

Stability should not come at the sacrifice of values of freedom of expression: U.S. Ambassador

U. S. Ambassador Julie Chung said stability should not come at the sacrifice of the values of freedom of expression, whether through peaceful protest, expression through the arts, or through social media.

Port and Aviation Levy on milk powder imports up by 10% from tonight

The Finance Ministry has taken a decision to increase the Port and Aviation Levy (PAL) on imported milk powder by 10 percent per kilogram from tonight, Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said.

IndiGo launches direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo

IndiGo has announced the introduction of new direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo from November 2, 2023.

Should SLC come under government purview?

The National Audit Office’s final report into Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and its expenses related to the travel of players and officials to last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, has reignited the debate on if SLC should come under government oversight.

Maithripala prefers local probe to international probe on Easter attacks

Highlighting a foreign probe into the Channel 4 allegations on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, former President Maithripala Sirisena called for technical assistance from the UN for a local probe into the incidents.

SLC believes national team heading ’’in the right direction’’

Despite last Sunday’s crushing defeat to India in the final of the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) believes the national team is heading ’’in the right direction’’.

UNP Chairman blames social media for distorting his remarks, apologizes to officials

UNP Chairman MP Wajira Abeywardena expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to officials of the Ministry of Finance including the Secretary to the Treasury by what he called ‘the distortion of his statements made before the Parliamentary Select Committee’ by various social media platforms.

Prize money for ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 revealed

An overall USD 10 million pot has been announced for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.

Fixtures announced for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024

The fixtures for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024 have been revealed, with the tournament set to take place in Sri Lanka from 13 January to 4 February.

Court orders CID to investigate into three employees who defrauded Rs.20Mn

The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court issued an order directing the CID to immediately conduct an investigation into three suspects including Samagi Jana Balawegaya Jaffna Valikaman South West Pradeshiya Sabha candidate and his wife for allegedly defrauding a sum of Rs. 20 million belonging to a resident company through cheque transactions.

Video of Cargills staff brutally assaulting female goes viral

A video showing a group of staff members from a Cargills supermarket outlet brutally assaulting a female customer is circulating on social media.