MPs’ privileges to arrive from VIP terminals without inspection must be removed: Amaraweera

While condemning Parliamentarian Ali Sabri Rahim using his parliamentary privileges, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said privileges given to members of parliament to arrive without inspection from the VIP terminals of the airport should be removed.

Uva Wellassa University’s Medicine Faculty to start end of this year: Minister

The new Medicine Faculty of the Uva Wellassa University in the Uva province will begin its academic activities before the end of this year, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Government to come up with special programme to systematise tax payment

State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that a systematic programme has been prepared to streamline the payment of taxes by fixing the existing weaknesses and shortcomings....

BOI ups FDI target to US$ 2bn amid growing investor interest

Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment (BOI) has increased the foreign direct investment (FDI) target to US$ 2 billion from earlier US$ 1.3 billion for the year as foreign investors are returning to the country following a troubled year and given the possibility of realising big ticket investment pertaining to an oil refinery in Hambantota.

Nathasha Edirisooriya remanded till June 7

Nathasha Edirisooriya, who was arrested over her remarks on Buddhism was remanded until June 7 by the Fort Magistrate court today.

Fuel quota to be increased from Tuesday: Minister

The National Fuel Pass QR System allocated fuel quotas will be increased next Tuesday, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

NPP to launch Aragalaya from June 8 to obtain LG polls: AKD

The National People’s Power (NPP) will re-launch the battle from June 8 to force the government to hold the Local Government elections, as 09 June completes three months since the LG polls have been delayed, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

Lankan passenger from Australia dies on board

The body of a passenger who died on board SriLankan Airlines flight No. UL 605 from Melbourne on Saturday night was handed over to the Katunayake police.

Separate court to be set up to hear tax-related cases: Minister

State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said that it has been proposed to establish a separate court to hear tax-related cases.

Britain seeks Sri Lanka’s cooperation to prevent illegal immigration

The United Kingdom (UK) has sought assistance from the Sri Lankan government to prevent Sri Lankans from coming to Britain as illegal immigrants.

India did more for Lanka than IMF: Jaishankar

India has done more for Sri Lanka than the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar stressed on Saturday.

Biden, McCarthy reach tentative US debt ceiling deal

Joe Biden and the House Republican speaker, Kevin McCarthy, have reached a deal in principle to raise the federal government’s $31.4tn debt ceiling, with just days left before America was expected to default.

Nathasha Edirisooriya arrested at airport over remarks on Buddhism

Nathasha Edirisooriya, who made certain disrespectful remarks on Buddhism, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a short while ago while attempting to leave the country, Police said.

Party suspends Japan lawmaker for remarks on Sri Lankan who died in immigration detention

Japan’s opposition Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) announced on May 26 that it had suspended Mizuho Umemura, a member of the House of Councillors, for six months for making inappropriate remarks regarding Wishma Sandamali, a Sri Lankan woman who died in detention at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau in 2021.

Top diplomat Jayantha Dhanapala passes away

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US and to the UN Office in Geneva, Jayantha Dhanapala passed away at the age of 85, while receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital.

Welikada OIC transferred over death of maid in alleged custody

The OIC of the Welikada Police has been transferred to the Police Field Headquarters over the death of a 42-year-old woman who was a domestic worker at popular tele drama producer and business personality Sudharma Nethicumara’s house, and was taken into custody over an alleged theft.

Celine Dion cancels 2023-24 shows over health condition

Celine Dion has cancelled all her remaining live shows, telling fans she is not strong enough to tour after being diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder.

Proposal to Cabinet on interest-free loans for private uni education

A proposal to provide interest-free loans for private university education will be submitted to the Cabinet next week, acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

Prez asserts importance of Japanese investments for SL’s revival

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday highlighted the importance of Japanese investments to push the revival of Sri Lanka while affirming commitment to stabilising and liberalising the economy and actively inviting new foreign ventures.

MP who smuggled gold leaves for Dubai

Puttalam District MP Ali Sabri Raheem who was fined for smuggling gold had left for Dubai on Thursday (25) night, informed sources said yesterday.

ILO, CBSL join hands to create favourable ecosystem in SL for entrepreneurs

In an attempt to promote entrepreneurship among the youth of Sri Lanka, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) collaborated with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka this week to explore avenues that would help create a favourable ecosystem to build new businesses.

Merchandise exports in April plunge amid global demand slowdown

Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports plunged 16.5 percent year-on-year (YoY) to US $ 814.1 million in April, bringing the cumulative export earnings for the first four months of 2023 to US $ 3.81 billion, an decrease of 9.78 percent YoY, data from the Export Development Board (EDB) showed.

Gill powers Gujarat Titans to massive win over Mumbai Indians and a place in IPL final

A stunning century from Shubnam Gill set Gujarat Titans up for a final showdown against the Chennai Super Kings, after they beat the Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Ahmedabad today.

BOI gets green light for pilot project to cultivate cannabis

The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka has received the approval from an experts’ committee to embark on a pilot project to cultivate cannabis within a BOI zone.

Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen reassigned to Kurunegala Hospital

The Health Services Committee of the Public Services Commission has ordered the Health Ministry to reassign Dr. Shafi Shihabdeen, who was accused of performing illegal sterilisation operations, to the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

My men were waiting for Jerome in Negombo to hammer him - Mervin Silva

Former Minister Mervin Silva said he was expecting Pastor Jerome Fernando who is currently overseas to come to Negombo to get him hammered or knocked by his men.

Dasun Shanaka hasn’t lived up to even 1% of expectations in IPL, Virendar Sehwag says

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag said that Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka’s returns for the Gujarat Titans in this season’s Indian Premier League has been disappointing, and that the all-rounder has not lived up to expectations.

Boy’s hand cut off at the wrist, during a brawl over flying a kite

A boy from Weheragampita in Matara whose hand had been cut off at the wrist during a brawl over flying a kite was admitted today to Matara General Hospital.

SLC extends LPL registration period for overseas players

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has extended the deadline given for overseas players to register for the fourth season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

21 students face the law for assaulting discipline master

Some 21 schoolchildren who were arrested for assaulting a school teacher in Puttlam were released on bail by the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court today.