Heavy rains, winds play havoc in Colombo

Several areas in Colombo including Fort, Maradana, Panchikawatta, Borella, Sedawaththa and Armour Street have been flooded due to the prevailing heavy showers.

Health Ministry rectifies shortage of 400 drugs under emergency purchase

The Health Ministry has supplied a total of 400 drugs which were in short supply to hospitals for the last few months, a top official said.

Heath Streak dies after long battle with cancer

Zimbabwe’s former captain Heath Streak has passed away at the age of 49, following a long battle with colon and liver cancer. The news of Streak’s passing was shared by his wife, Nadine Streak, through a heartfelt Facebook post.

Sinopec to begin islandwide operations by end of September: Minister

Sinopec fuel company, which set up their first fuel station in Mattegoda last week, will begin their islandwide operations by the end of September, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said.

Fallen tree closes road in Fort

The road from Colombo Fort to Lake House has been completely closed due to a tree falling across the road near the World Trade Centre in Fort.

Concessionary loan scheme for small and medium scale paddy millers

In order to maintain a reasonable price to farmers and strengthen the SME paddy millers, a pledge loan scheme under a concessional interest rate for Small and Medium Scale paddy millers has been implemented from 1st September for paddy purchasing during the 2023 Yala season, the Finance Ministry said.

Ex-PCB chair Najam Sethi slams ACC’s ‘poor excuses’ for hosting Asia Cup in Sri Lanka

Former Pakistan Cricket Board chair Najam Sethi has slammed the Asian Cricket Council for conducting the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 in Sri Lanka, after rain washed out the much-anticipated game between India and Pakistan in Pallekele.

Ranjith Siyambalapitiya hospitalised

State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has been admitted to a private hospital in Colombo due to food poisoning.

Rain plays spoilsport as India, Pakistan blockbuster ends in no result

Rain forced a no result in the blockbuster Asia Cup clash between India and Pakistan after just one innings of play on Saturday.

Nandalal Weerasinghe listed among top Governors in Global Finance magazine

Global Finance magazine has released the names of Central Bank Governors who earned A+, A, or A- grades as part of the Central Banker Report Cards 2023 where Governor of Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has been listed under A- grade.

Athapaththu leads Sri Lanka Women to first ever T20I win over England Women

Chamari Athapaththu scored her eighth T20I half-century to help Sri Lanka Women record their first-ever win against England Women in the format, in Chelmsford.

UN assures fullest cooperation to Sri Lanka

Newly appointed United Nations Resident Representative Marc-Andre’ Franche expressed appreciation over Sri Lanka’s economic recovery from an unprecedented crisis last two years and assured continuous support for the development process, Prime Minister’s Media Division said.

Advisory for heavy rain warning issued for eight districts

Advisory for heavy rains above 100 mm in was issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said.

Chicken with skin at Rs.1,250 per kilo from today

The Poultry Producers’ Associations have agreed to sell chicken with skin at a price of Rs.1,250 per kg in all supermarkets from today (02), while reducing the price by more than a hundred rupees.

August ends with lowest Dengue cases in 2023

The tally of Dengue cases in August stood at 5,189 recording the lowest number of cases reported in a month in 2023.

Singapore ex-deputy PM Shanmugaratnam elected president

Tharman Shanmugaratnam, former Singapore deputy prime minister, has been elected to the ceremonial post of president, according to official results, in an election seen as a barometer of public sentiment towards the ruling party amid economic challenges.

India launches rocket towards the sun

Ten days after India’s success in landing the first ever spacecraft on the southern side of the moon, the country has launched ’Aditya L1’, its first mission to study the sun.

Four including two children killed in two separate road accidents

Four individuals including two teenagers were killed in two separate road accidents in Madampe and Minuwangoda involving motorbikes last night, Police said.

Container transport fees up from last night

With the increase in fuel prices by the government, the All Island United Container Transport Owners’ Association (AIUCTOA) has decided to increase the import and export container transport fees from last night.

Anura Yapa to head new alliance?

MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has been given the responsibility of heading the new alliance, which has been initiated by MP Nimal Lanza, sources close to MP Lanza said.

CEB bleeds Rs. 2.7 Billion over Samanala Wewa Reservoir’s water leak

In what appeared to be a startling revelation, 78 MCM of water (million cubic metres) is leaked from Samanala Wewa annually, a reservoir meant for hydropower generation, causing a loss of Rs.2. 7 billion to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), a top engineer said yesterday.

IGP to look into traffic police video recording traffic offences

Steps will be taken to resolve the various concerns regarding traffic offences being video recorded by the traffic police and then being released to the media, Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne informed a Parliament Committee.

Visit of Indian Defence Minister deferred

The visit of the Defence Minister of India to Sri Lanka scheduled for September 2 to 3 has been deferred, the High Commission of India announced.

Variant of Meningococcal disease in SL not highly contagious

Referring to the recent concerns over the Meningococcal disease triggered by the initial detection from the Galle Prison, the Health Ministry said the variant of the disease in Sri Lanka is not highly contagious.

Name group which supported Easter Sunday bombers: Cardinal

Since Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malclom Ranjith had slammed the government authorities to name the group which supported the Easter Sunday bombers, Minister of Public security Tiran Allas invited him and the Church to go through the investigations and outline any shortcomings.

Namal’s alleged unpaid electricity bill issue challenged before SC

A lawyer has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court seeking an order directing the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to produce before Court all relevant files maintained by the CEB regarding an alleged unsettled electricity bill adding up to Rs. 2.6 million in lieu of providing electricity to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence in Weeraketiya.

Government to end monopoly in drug procurement

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has directed the National Drug Regulatory Authority (NMRA) to put an end to the existing monopoly in the supply of certain drugs.

Bus fares up by 4%; minimum fare unchanged

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced a 4% increase in bus fares with effect from tomorrow following the recent diesel price increase.

Three more policemen remanded over maid’s death at teledrama producer’s house

Three policemen including two Police Sergeants and a Constable attached to the Welikada Police Station arrested over the death of Rajkumari, a housemaid who died after being arrested by the Welikada Police, were today ordered to be remanded till September 11 by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

SLC suspends domestic cricket tournaments

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday suspended all board-conducted domestic tournaments after being informed by the Director General of the Department of Sports Development Prof. Shemal Fernando that SLC had not received the consent of the Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe before making certain changes to the structure of the inter-club three-day tournament ahead of the 2023 season.