FIFA, AFC to discuss lifting of international ban on July 10: Sports Minister

Officials from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) are expected to meet Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and top level officials from the ministry via zoom on July 10, in order to discuss the lifting of the international ban currently imposed on Football Sri Lanka (FSL).

‘Muthu Raja’ will not be returning to Sri Lanka: Thai Govt.

Thailand on Wednesday said that the ailing elephant ‘Muthu Raja’ or ‘Sak Surin’ will not be returned to Sri Lanka and the animal is now under the patronage of the Thai King, Thai PBS media agency reported yesterday.

Issues over dialysis continue in hospitals; Keheliya assures swift action

The issues faced by some hospitals due to shortage in pharmaceuticals and equipment required for dialysis for kidney patients will be resolved soon, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella assured today.

Heavy rain to reduce from tomorrow: Met. Dept

The prevailing heavy showers over the South-Western part of the island are expected to ease from tomorrow (06), the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Eleven foreign investors lined up to cultivate marijuana: Diana

State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage said that discussions are underway to initiate a pilot project to cultivate marijuana in Sri Lanka.

Dates for Esala Perahera announced

The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy (Dalada Maligawa) today announced the official dates of the 2023 annual Esala Perahera.

Minister blames NOCSL for rugby ban

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe charged that it was the actions of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka that had resulted in a ban being imposed on Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR).

Literacy rate of grade three children dropped alarmingly: Edu. Minister

The literacy among grade three children in Sri Lanka had dropped alarmingly due to COVID pandemic, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha told Parliament today.

Soaring prices in chicken due to drop in fish harvest: Amaraweera

Soaring prices in chicken at present is due to the drop in the fish harvest as a result of adverse weather conditions, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Wanindu among ICC Men’s Player of the Month nominees

Arising Australia star, a veteran Zimbabwe opener and a dynamic Sri Lanka all-rounder are the nominees for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after enjoying successful performances across June.

Nathasha granted bail by Colombo High Court

Stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya was ordered to be released on bail by the Colombo High Court a short while.

Parliament approval sought to reconvene disolved Local Govt bodies

A gazette notification which was issued on June 26 to reconvene dissolved local government bodies was presented to Parliament for its approval amidst cries from the opposition.

Child abuses, rapes top total cases before High Courts: Wijeyadasa

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe revealed that 33 percent of the total lawsuits in High Courts in Sri Lanka are child abuses and rape cases which was a situation to be ashamed of as a nation.

Police seek public help to locate company owner over fraud

The Mirihana Crimes Investigation Special Unit has launched an investigation to arrest the owner of a private company, who had allegedly defrauded over Rs 19.2 million promising to construct houses.

Sajith, Keheliya in heated argument over quality of drugs

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwela engaged in heated arguments when the latter alleged that people are faced with serious issues due to import of substandard medicinal drugs under emergency purchases.

Appoint exemplary, unblemished officer as IGP, BASL tells President

In the wake of the appointment of a new IGP being in the spotlight, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to appoint an exemplary and unblemished officer as the next Inspector General of Police.

Government approval doubles to 21% in June: Verité Research survey

The approval rating of the government doubled to 21% in June 2023 from the 10% that was recorded in both February 2023 and October 2022, according to the latest round of the Gallup style ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll of Verité Research.

Cabinet gives green light for LRT project

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal to prepare an appropriate time frame for agreeing on the resumption of the proposed light railway transit (LRT) project sponsored by the Government of Japan, after relevant discussions with the Japanese diplomatic mission in Colombo.

Fried rice, Kottu prices slashed by 10 percent

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association chief Asela Sampath said their association decided to slash the prices of several food items, in line with the recent reduction of LP gas prices.

Landslide warning for Nuwara Eliya district

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) today issued a landslide early warning for the Nuwara Eliya district in the wake of torrential rains, the Meteorology Department said.

MP Dayasiri’s son threatened and robbed by IRC

Police have launched an investigation to arrest an Island Registered Criminal (IRC) who is alleged to have threatened MP Dayasiri Jayasekara’s son who was with his girlfriend in a car in Bambalapitiya and had robbed cash and a white gold necklace worth Rs 160,000.

Star Sports acquires television broadcast rights of LPL 2023

Star Sports, the country’s leading sports network, will have the exclusive television media rights for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2023, scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka from July 30 to August 21.

Weather warnings as South-Western monsoon active

Showers are likely to occur in the South-Western parts of the island, with the activation of the South-Western monsoon, the Department of Meteorology said.

Opposition Leader cannot attend committee meetings and question state officials: Speaker

The Leader of the Opposition can summon state officials and seek clarifications on any matter at any time, but he cannot attend commitee meetings and question them, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told Parliament today.

Dengue tally tops 50,000 cases

The tally of Dengue cases reported since January 2023 has surpassed the 50,000 mark, indicating that Sri Lanka is not out of the woods yet.

Price list to be displayed from today: AICOA

The All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) said yesterday that they will announce the prices of all meals by today after the price reduction of domestic LP gas.

CID quizzes Journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara

Journalist Tharindu Uduwaragedara was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday for his involvement in organising a press conference held against the arrest of remanded standup comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya.

EP Governor requests to build Tirupati temple in Sri Lanka

Governor of Eastern Province Senthil Thondaman who met with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, had requested to build a Tirupati temple in Sri Lanka.

No more free food for celebrities, politicians or anyone: Canteen Owners

The All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) urged its members to hit anyone with hot water, waste water or with their fried rice mixture pan if they refuse to pay their bills.

DDR: Minimum impact on EPF, ETF, despite opposition crying foul

Despite the government having secured the parliamentary passage of the Domestic Debt Restructuring (DDR) programme, the opposition parties continue to make criticism and witticism about its impact, real or perceived, on contributors to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Task Fund (ETF).