President appoints two committees to combat Covid-19 and Dengue

In a bid to combat the spread of Covid-19 and Dengue in the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed two committees, namely a Ministerial Committee and an Expert Committee.

Nihal Jayawardene appointed as HNB Chairman; he takes over after Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke resigns

Hatton National Bank PLC (HNB) yesterday announced the resignation of its Chairperson Aruni Goonetilleke and the subsequent appointment of Nihal Jayawardene PC as its new Chairman.

Apparel exporters join bandwagon to oppose move to abolish SVAT scheme

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) yesterday expressed “deep” concern and disappointment on the government’s decision to terminate the long and well-functioning Simplified Value-Added Tax (SVAT) scheme.

Failure to prevent May 9 violence: 73 police officers found guilty

A total number of 73 police officers have been found to have failed in their duty to prevent the violence on May 9 2022, the Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles told Parliament today.

Time for issuing train season tickets for school children extended

Due to the start of the third phase of the first school term on Monday (12), the Railways Department has decided to extend the period for school children to obtain their train season tickets.

Sri Lanka youth netball coach confident of whipping South Korea

Sri Lanka’s youth netball head coach Amalka Gunathilake believes that her team can beat hosts South Korea in their first match of the 12th Asian Youth (Under 21) Netball Championships tomorrow.

Govt. to go ahead with privatising SLT despite ’no’ from Committee

The Government has decided to go ahead with the reform of Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) despite the recommendation by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security not to do so, a Minister, who did not wish to be named, said today.

Govt. contemplates to impose MRP on chicken

The government has discussed imposing a maximum retail price (MRP) on chicken to control the price or if found necessary, to import chicken, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Young woman drowns, another missing in Kirinda

A woman drowned and another was reported missing after they were carried away by a wave while enjoying a stroll along the beach at Kirinda, Police said.

Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill postponed for one week

The Public Finance Committee chaired by Dr. Harsha de Silva has postponed the consideration of the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill for a week until a timeline for establishing a regulatory authority is worked out.

PNB officers arrested over death of VTA Assistant Manager in custody

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested seven Police Narcotics Bureau officers over the death of an Assistant Manager of the Vocational Training Authority (VTA), Narahenpita while in the custody of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).

2.4 mn vehicles imported from 2015 to 2020: Siyambalapitiya

A total number of 2.4 million vehicles have been imported to Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2020 costing the nation a staggering Rs. 1,337.57 billion, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyabalapitiya told Parliament today.

Include sex education in school curriculum: Diana

It is essential to include sex education in the school curriculum, State Minister Diana Gamage proposed today.

Sri Lanka named unchanged squad for World Cup qualifiers; Mathews misses out

Experienced batsman Angelo Mathews was omitted from the Sri Lanka squad for the Cricket World Cup qualifiers this month, in an otherwise unchanged squad named for the three-month ODI series against Afghanistan.

Cardinal calls for snap polls

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith called for an election so that people could elect a new government.

MPs, social media paid to highlight SL expat workers’ issues: Manusha alleges

Minister of Foreign Employment and Labour Manusha Nanayakkara today came out with some shocking revelations in the foreign employment sector where MPs and social media have been paid to highlight issues faced by Sri Lankan expatriate workers.

Indian commentator Charu Sharma invited for LPL auction

India’s renowned commentator, compere and quizmaster, Charu Sharma will be an auctioneer for the LPL (Lanka Premier League) next week. This was revealed by Tournament Director Samantha Dodanwela.

COPE must conduct special probe on organic fertilizer imported from China: Susil

Leader of the House Susil Premajaynatha, on behalf of the government, proposed that the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) should be asked to carry out a special probe on the import of organic fertilizer from China and Nano Nitrogen from India from which the country has lost more than Rs. 08 billion.

SF resigns from Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security

SJB MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka has resigned as a member of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security, Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksha announced today.

Parliamentary committee recommends not to privatise SLT

The Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security has recommended not to privatise Sri Lanka Telecom as it could pose a threat to national security.

Child’s body with wounds found at construction site

The body of a five-and-a-half-year-old child was found with injuries suspected to have been caused by broken glass bottles, was found in front of a construction site Halbarawa in Mulleriyawa, police said.

South-West monsoon active, heavy rains expected

The Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre today announced that the South-West monsoon has become active over the island.

Compensation payment to Swarnamahal Financial Services depositors resumes today

Payment of compensation for depositors of Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP) will recommence under the Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Liquidity Support Scheme, the Central Bank announced.

2.5 kg gold smuggled from Sri Lanka seized in Tamil Nadu

About 2.5 kg gold bars were seized by the customs department at Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu on Monday.

Value of a perch in Galle Fort increased to Rs. 22mn

More than one hundred buildings, located within the Galle Fort, have been purchased by foreigners, increasing the value of one perch to Rs 22 million, the Galle Heritage Foundation said.

Tourists Encounter Wild Elephant during National Park Visit

Foreign tourists exploring Sri Lankan wilderness had a close encounter with a wild elephant during their visit to a national park in Polonnaruwa. The group were traveling in three-wheelers when they came across the wild elephant near the roadside.

Over 20 injured in head-on collision at Hanwella

At least 21 persons were injured after a lorry travelling from Colombo towards Avissawella collided head-on with a Colombo bound bus from Akkaraipattu at Embulgama, Hanwella early this morning.

Kala Keerthie Iranganie Serasinghe turns 96

Iranganie Serasinghe (nee Medeniya), the doyenne of Sinhala cinema, celebrates her 96th birthday today. Considered a living example of values, culture and discipline, Mrs. Serasinghe has inspired the younger generation to play a more dignified role in the field of arts.

GSMB Chairman denies COPE revelation

Responding to the allegation leveled against the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) during the recent Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) meeting that GSMB seeks minister’s approval for issuance of licenses, GSMB Chairman R. Sanjeepan clarified that applications related to mining and exploration activities are never sent to the Minister for his approval.

Govt. expects income tax files to increase five-fold to one million by end of this year

Facilitated by recent tax reforms, the government expects income tax files to increase by nearly five-fold from 205,200 to one million boosting the country’s income tax revenue and enhancing the direct and indirect tax ratio to 40 percent vs. 60 percent by end of this year, which would pave the way for a potential Rs.400 billion cut in indirect taxes.