Sinopec keen to invest in oil refinery in Sri Lanka: Ali Sabry

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry who recently visited China said he held talks with Sinopec and it expressed keen interest in setting up an oil refinery in Sri Lanka.

Budget deficit expands despite higher taxes and expenditure cuts

Barely into a year since the present administration opted for an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-assisted fiscal reset by raising taxes and rationalised spending, the budget is still running a higher deficit than....

Nuclear plant proposals from Russia, US, India, Europe: Kanchana

As Sri Lanka is exploring nuclear energy options, the government today said that countries like India, European nations, United States, have offered Sri Lanka nuclear power plants under different technologies.

Babar Azam refuses to sport betting firm’s logo on jersey

Pakistan’s star cricketer Babar Azam has categorically refused to wear the logos of betting companies on his jersey.

Taliban order Afghanistan’s hair and beauty salons to shut

The Taliban have ordered hair and beauty salons in Afghanistan to shut in the latest restriction faced by women.

Hairdresser arrested for raping schoolgirl

A hairdresser who had lured a 16-year-old schoolgirl to go with him to a guest house and had raped her was arrested by the Women and Children’s Bureau of the Kandy police.

Appeal process another ploy to suppress mounting agitation: NPP

The appeal process of the Aswesuma welfare programme is another eyewash and a ploy brought into suppress the agitation of the people against the welfare programme, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today.

More than 18,000 visitors view Lotus Tower

A total of 18,728 foreigners visited the Lotus Tower during the past long weekend, its management said.

NGOs trying to do away with elephants from Perahera culture: Asgiriya Chapter

In the wake of the elephant Muthu Raja who was badly abused while being kept at a Buddhist temple, several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are attempting to publicize the notion that elephants should be removed from the perahera culture, Asgiriya Chapter Venerable Narampanawe Ananda Thera said.

Scotland pull off stunning win, end Zimbabwe’s hopes of World Cup qualification

Scotland pulled off a stunning 31-run win over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, ending the home team’s hopes of joining Sri Lanka in qualifying for the Cricket World Cup later this year.

Female Airport employee nabbed while carrying gold gel in underpants

Airport security officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) arrested a female employee of the duty-free shopping complex while trying to smuggle out gold gel weighing five kilos valued at Rs. 100 million.

SF adamant on not joining hands with RW

While saying that Sri Lanka has descended into a state of chaos, MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka reiterated that he will not join hands with the government.

Chamal voted in favour of DDR: Secretary General of Parliament

Parliamentarian Chamal Rajapaksa participated in the voting on the resolution for the implementation of the Domestic Debt Optimization on Saturday (01), Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera said.

Shah Rukh Khan injures nose while shooting in Los Angeles

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has undergone a minor surgery after he met with an accident in Los Angeles, US. The actor was in the US for a shoot where he ended up hurting his nose.

Sri Lanka to play Lord’s Test next year

Sri Lanka will play a three Test series in England next year, including a Test at Lord’s.

SLC appoint new assistant coach for Women’s team

Sri Lanka Cricket today said it had appointed Tharindu Perera as the new Assistant Coach for the Women’s national team.

DDO gazette issued; Fin Min Secretary granted several powers

A special gazette notification on Domestic Debt Optimization (DDO) was published under which several directives were issued to the Finance Ministry Secretary and the Public Debt Registrar.

Facebook owner Meta to launch Twitter rival on Thursday

Facebook owner Meta is launching its new app to rival Twitter and says it will go live on Thursday.

Sri Lanka shares surge 6% after nod for domestic debt restructuring plan

Sri Lankan shares jumped 6% on Tuesday to a nine-month high after the country’s parliament approved a key domestic debt restructuring plan over the weekend, while inflation also cooled sharply.

Chamari becomes only second Sri Lankan to top ICC ODI batting rankings

Chamari Athapaththu has moved up to top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings, becoming only the second Sri Lankan, after Sanath Jayasuriya, to hold top spot since the rankings were introduced.

SL Rupee appreciates against USD

Despite the Sri Lanka Rupee (SLR) falling slightly against the US Dollar (USD) last week, it has appreciated against the USD today.

SL receives 1st disbursement of US$ 250Mn from WB

Sri Lanka has received the 1st disbursement of US$ 250 Mn out of US$ 500 Mn for budget support from the World Bank, State Minister of Finance Sehan Semasinghe said.

Chamari’s centuries as good as Kohli’s, Sharma’s, Women’s national cricket coach says

Sri Lanka’s former fast bowler and the current coach of the national women’s team Rumesh Ratnayake said the preparations his side put in paid off against the visiting New Zealand team.

Two suspects arrested with looted cash, gold at house in Boralesgamuwa

Two suspects were arrested along with nearly Rs. 01 million in cash, 10,400 US dollars and 24 pounds of gold which were robbed from the house of a senior official of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority last month.

Yorkshire to tighten security for third Ashes at Headingley

Yorkshire County Cricket Club said they have ramped up security for this week’s third Ashes test at Headingley after ’Just Stop Oil’ protesters disrupted the second match between England and Australia at Lord’s.

Lack of vocational training in elephant care caused Muthu Raja to be sent to Thailand

Due to a lack of vocational education in taking care of elephants Muthu Raja, also known as Sak Surin, was sent to Thailand, Venerable Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera said.

LITRO gas price to be slashed from tonight

The prices of 12.5kg domestic LITRO gas cylinders will be reduced by Rs.204 from midnight today, LITRO Lanka Chairman and CEO Muditha Peiris said.

Transfer of Muthu Raja Mission possible due to concerted efforts by SL, Thai governments -Thai envoy

Thai Ambassador to Sri Lanka Poj Harnpol said the mission of transfer of tusker Muthu Raja to Thailand would not have been made possible without the concerted efforts from both Sri Lankan and Thai Governments at all levels, and therefore, this joint operation even cemented ‘unique and time-tested’ ties between the two countries.

Air China resumes services to Colombo

Air China resumed services between the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Colombo and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport with three flights a week from Chengdu-Colombo-Chengdu yesterday (3), Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL) said.

Over 100mm rain expected today

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa Province and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.