New labour laws propose abolishing 8-hour working day to please IMF: NPP

The government is planning to abolish the rights of the working people through the proposed new labour laws in a move to fulfill IMF conditions, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today.

Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes U.S. Alaska, tsunami warning issued

An earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck the Alaska Peninsula region early on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, leading to a tsunami warning for nearby regions.

Another variety of chemical fertilizer to paddy farmers for next Maha season

A decision has been taken to provide another variety of chemical fertilizer free of charge to paddy farmers for the next Maha season, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Deposit Rs. 13mn for uninterrupted power for Kandy Esala Perahera: CEB tells Nilames

MP Lakshman Kiriella said the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has informed the Nilames and organizers of the Kandy Esala Perahera to deposit a sum of Rs. 13 million in order to supply an uninterrupted power supply for the festival.

Nearly 30,000 people apply for online passports within a month

A total of 29,578 people have applied online to obtain passports since the launch of the service at 51 Divisional Secretariats across the country last month, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

PC, CSD personnel arrested with cannabis in Ampara

A police constable and a member of the Civil Security Department were arrested for transporting Kerala Cannabis on a motorcycle in Ampara.

FETÖ elements eliminated from SL, says Türkiye envoy

Türkiye and Sri Lanka, which have been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, have succeeded in eliminating Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) elements from Sri Lanka in joint efforts, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Sri Lanka & the Maldives R. Demet Şekercioğlu said.

Two arrested for running unregistered rehabilitation center in Dehiwala

The Dehiwala Police have arrested two persons for operating an unregistered rehabilitation center at Malwatta in Dehiwala yesterday.

Europe heatwave: Red alerts issued in 16 Italian cities

Red alerts have been issued for 16 cities across Italy as extreme heat continues to affect southern Europe.

Drug used at Peradeniya Hospital causes more complications

One of the batches of the drug used in the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital that resulted in the demise of a 21-year-old girl has been withheld following two more cases of severe allergic reactions reported from the Kandy Hospital, a Health Ministry official said.

SL to join RCEP, world’s largest free trade area

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka was intending to become a member of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which is the world’s largest free trade area that came into effect on January 1, 2022, the Foreign Ministry said.

UN calls for debt relief to prevent poverty crisis

A United Nations agency has urged global finance ministers to give poor countries debt repayment breaks, estimating the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent surge in inflation and borrowing costs had pushed an extra 165 million people into poverty.

IATA calls for Sri Lankan aviation blueprint

In order to foster economic growth and prosperity through the enhancement of its aviation industry, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is urging Sri Lanka to establish a comprehensive aviation blueprint.

Portugal Sporting Club sign biggest name in world football SL origin Jacynta

Portuguese football club Sporting Club  has signed former Celtic star Sri Lankan origin Jacynta Galabadaarachchi after her departure from the Hoops which was announced last week.

Bus topples injuring 15 passengers in Demodara

At least 15 passengers have been hospitalised after a Colombo bound private bus from Badulla ran off the road and toppled at Demodara in Ella on the Badulla-Colombo road.

Cinnamon Air launches scheduled flights to Jaffna from Colombo

Cinnamon Air, Sri Lanka’s premier domestic airline, recently launched scheduled flights to Jaffna, which will provide travellers with easy

Anuradhapura-Omanthai train service resumes

With the resumption of train services between Colombo Fort and Kankesanturai (KKS) on the northern railway line, the renovated section from Anuradhapura to Omanthai wll be open to the public from today, the Railways Department said.

Hollywood strike could last until ’end of the year’

Production on many shows had already been affected after US screenwriters’ strike in May. Now with Hollywood actors joining the writers on union picket lines, studios have ground to a halt.

Presidential Palace, Temple Trees to be relocated to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte

The government intends to allocate money in the next year’s budget for the relocation of the President’s House, Temple Trees, the Prime Minister’s office and the Presidential Secretariat to Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte so that these buildings can be developed for tourism as Colombo Heritage Square, a Minister said yesterday.

SL keen on seeing Indian rupee used as much as US dollar

The Sri Lankan government would want to see the Indian rupee used as much as the dollar, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said

Toll of Human-elephant conflict on the rise

The death rate in the human-elephant conflict has been increasing in a large proportion every year.

Drug shortage forces Doctors to use drugs with severe complications: Dr. Nalinda

The recent death of the young woman at the Peradeniya Hospital has been caused due to the shortage of drugs where the consultants and the doctors had been compelled to use available drugs as there had been no drugs with less complications in the hospital at the moment, NPP politburo member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Drug addicts steal millions worth of accessories from Kelaniya Bridge, highways

Police personnel were stationed near panel boards at Kelani Bridge and highways after a string of thefts that took place recently incurring a loss of Rs 275 million, Director General of the Road Development Authority L.V.S. Weerakoon said today.

If all SriLankan Airlines pilots leave country, we will get foreign pilots: Minister

The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation today said if all SriLankan Airlines pilots leave the country for greener pastures, the government will get foreign pilots to run the national carrier.

SL Army gets new Chief of Staff

Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.

India’s historic Moon mission lifts off successfully

India has launched its third Moon mission, aiming to be the first to land near its little-explored south pole.

Medical professionals call for national emergency over health crisis

A national emergency should be declared by the government with the increasing number of deaths due to drug-related complications, President of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF) Dr. Rukshan Bellana said.

President directs to expedite drugs approval process

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed the Health Ministry to expedite the approval process for drugs endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

China's Sinopec enters Sri Lanka retail fuel market

Signifying a crucial juncture in Sri Lanka’s fuel market and a timely move to address fuel supply challenges, Sinopec Energy Lanka (Pvt) Ltd inked an agreement worth $100 million with the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) to operate and set up fuel stations for distribution in Sri Lanka.

Excise tax of Rs. 10 imposed on toddy when produced

The government has decided to impose an excise tax of Rs. 10 per liter when tapping toddy to prevent illegal toddy production, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.