IRD earnings exceed targeted tax revenue in first quarter: Siyambalapitiya

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has earned more than the targeted tax revenue in the first quarter of this year.

Private bus operators shift gears, no fare reduction till travel card system is implemented

Even though the price of Lanka auto diesel was reduced by Rs. 15 from yesterday, the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) has decided not to reduce the bus fares.

Formal inquiries initiated over sexual advance allegation against ITN official

The Mass Media Ministry and the ITN have initiated formal inquiries into the allegations leveled by a popular female news caster of the government owned electronic media establishment against a senior official on the instructions of the Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana.

School van operators to reduce prices

All Island School Van Operators’ Association (AISVOA) Chairman Malsiri de Silva said today that they would reduce school van fares with the reduced fuel prices.

No fare revision for three-wheelers this time: Association

Three-wheeler fare reduction cannot be considered even after yesterday’s petrol price revision, the National Joint Three-Wheeler Drivers and Industrial Workers Association said.

Fake drama with a Fake account holder?

Almost a week after Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe’s controversial statement in Parliament indicating a bribe of a massive US dollar 250 million, deposited at a UK bank over the X-Press Pearl disaster, investigators and parties interested in justice who probed and examined the claim have been directed to nowhere but the conclusion that the so-called account holder is a fake and the whole drama is a distractor.

Face massive people’s struggle – Civil rights groups warn Govt.

Civil rights groups, Trade Unions and members of political parties gathering under one banner yesterday warned the government to face a massive people’s struggle in the future if the punitive Prevention of Terrorism Act is not abolished and the Anti-Terrorism Act is not torn up.

Heavy rains to continue even today after 2 pm: Met. dept.

While issuing a general forecast for the country, the National Meteorological Centre said today that the atmospheric conditions are favorable for evening thundershowers in most parts of the island.

Fuel prices reduced from tonight

The Power and Energy Minister has decided to reduce the retail prices of Lanka Petrol 92 Octane, Lanka Petrol 95 Octane Euro 4, Lanka Auto Diesel and Lanka Super Diesel 4 Star Euro 4 from tonight.

Lotus Tower witnesses first skydiving event

The Lotus Tower in Colombo witnessed its first skydiving event recently to promote the island’s tourism industry internationally.

Presidential Task Force to promote Artificial Intelligence

President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed officials of the Ministry of Technology to form a task force of Artificial Intelligence (AI) experts and prepare a concept paper to promote AI usage in the country, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

UGC to provide two degrees next year: Chairman

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has decided to offer two degrees for the first time in university history to the students who join the faculties of arts at the universities next year.

Over 3,500 police officers on duty for May Day rallies in Colombo

Special security and traffic arrangements have been made for political rallies to be held on May Day, Police said.

Woman held at Chennai airport with 22 snakes

NEW DELHI: The Customs officials of India have arrested a woman at the Chennai airport with 22 snakes of various species.

Whistleblower alleges canned fish unfit for human consumption being sold through Sathosa

Former Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Executive Director Thushan Gunawardena yesterday alleged that the Ministry of Trade has informed the Lanka Sathosa to sell canned fish unfit for human consumption through its outlets in 2021.

Woman raped and murdered in Mihintale, suspect arrested

A woman was raped and killed in a house at Doramadalawa in Mihintale yesterday, police said.

Neighbors asked man to stop firing rifle outside, he then shot 5 people in Texas

Authorities widened search for the suspect after the killing of five of his neighbours in the town of Cleveland in Texas. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said that the police were searching for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza who could now be as large as “10 or 20 miles’’.

Thundershowers likely in most parts of the country during next few days

Atmospheric conditions are favorable for development of evening thundershowers in most parts of the island during the next few days, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Shortage of eggs will ease within 15 days after removal of maximum retail price

After the removal of the maximum retail price for eggs they will be available country-wide within 15 days, the egg and poultry industry claimed yesterday.

Evacuated Lankans from Sudan arrive in Sri Lanka

The 14 Sri Lankans residing in the Sudan who were evacuated due to the prevailing crisis arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport today, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

SJB has no backbone to object to IMF agreement: Handunnetti

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has approved the destruction which would be caused to the country and the economy through the IMF fund facility agreement by being absent during the time of voting in Parliament yesterday, former JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Take better precautions when organizing dansalas due to risk of spreading diarrhea: PHI union

The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union today requested organizers to pay more attention to health advice when organizing dansalas for the upcoming Vesak festival.

Pakistan is the largest recipient of ADB loans in Asia

Pakistan has become the largest recipient of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded programmes/projects in the year 2022, reported Pakistan Today.

Suspected drone strike triggers massive fire in Russian-occupied Crimea

A fire broke out at an oil storage facility in Sevastopol, Crimea allegedly following a drone attack by Ukraine. Crimean authorities said the fire has been contained.

Power disruption in Colombo due to breakdown at Athurugiriya sub-station

The electricity supply to several areas around Sri Jayawardenepura, Malabe and Hokandara has been disrupted due to a breakdown at the Athurugiriya sub-station, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Severe lightning alert issued for 18 districts: Met Dept.

An advisory accompanied by severe lightning was issued today for 18 districts by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department.

Countrywide DS offices organising Avurudu Utsawa To refrain staffers from attending May Day rallies?

A number of Divisional Secretariats countrywide organising in-house ‘Avurudu Utsawa’ on Monday, May 1st have raised concerns of many, as it was an attempt to prevent government employees from attending the May Day rallies, the Daily Mirror learns.

Ensure safety of foreign tourists, prepare environment to travel freely: Sagala

The President’s Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayake has given instructions to the security forces to ensure the safety of foreign tourists coming to Sri Lanka and prepare the necessary environment for them to travel freely.

Notorious criminal ’Kudu Anju’ arrested in France, Interpol informs SL

Notorious criminal and drug trafficker Sinhara Amal Saminda Silva alias Kudu Anju has been arrested in France, police said.

Nigerian court acquits imprisoned sailors including from SL

Abuja: A Nigerian court has acquitted the sailors in Norwegian vessel MT Heroic Idun, who were jailed for crude oil piracy on Saturday, reported Manorama News. The vessel had 26 sailors including 16 Indians. Among the 16, three were Malayalis. The other sailors were from Sri Lanka, Poland and Philippines.