SL rejects US decision to designate Wasantha Karannagoda

Sri Lanka has rejected the U.S. decision to designate Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and also expressed its ‘grave concern’ about the decision, the foreign ministry said.

Water rates to be hiked again: Water Board

The tariff rate of water needs to be raised again soon, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Deputy General N.K. Ranatunga said today.

Drink more water to prevent dehydration: Paediatrician

Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) consultant pediatrician Dr. Deepal Perera advised the general public to take more fluids with adequate minerals to prevent dehydration during the present hot weather conditions.

Five-member expert committee for quick solutions to principal service

A five-member-Committee has been appointed by Education Minister Susil Premajayantha to look into the issues of the Sri Lankan Principals Service.

Thundershowers after 2 pm today: Met. Dept.

The National Meteorological Center today predicted that thundershowers would occur at several places over most parts of the island after 2 pm.

Worker quota to Korea increased to 8,000 this year: Minister

Even though Sri Lanka had received a quota of 6,500 jobs in Korea, the Korean Human Resources Department has permitted the recruitment of 8,000 workers for this year, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

X-Press Pearl disaster; Sri Lanka files litigation in Singapore

The Attorney General’s Department filed litigation in Singapore on April 25 seeking compensation for the X- Press Pearl disaster, an official said.

US blacklists Wasantha Karannagoda for ’violation of human rights’

The United States on Thursday banned the Governor of North Western Province in Sri Lanka, Wasantha Karannagoda and his family from entering the country over gross violation of Human Rights, the US State Department said in a release.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa was controlled by Julie Chung

When former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country, both India and the United States requested him to remove Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, MP Wimal Weerawansa said.

Govt. to bring in fresh amendments to Inland Revenue Act to broaden tax base

With an aim to broaden the tax base by enabling electronic payments coupled with mandatory reporting for state institutions, the government plans to bring in fresh amendments to Inland Revenue Act, No.24 of 2017 in Parliament for approval this Friday.

Draft bill establishing separate budget office to be presented for parliamentary approval

The Cabinet nod has been granted to table the draft bill establishing a separate budget office at Parliament, for approval.

MoD denies allegations against Shavendra by Wimal Weerawansa

The Ministry of Defence today denied allegations by National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa against Chief of Defence Staff and former Army Commander Shavendra Silva in which he alleged that General Silva supported the conspiracy to create an interim administration in Sri Lanka using the ‘Aragalaya’ anti-government protests in 2022.

New Diamond disaster: GAC Shipping Limited denies receiving USD 5 mn compensation

Refuting claims made by NPP MP Vijitha Herath in Parliament yesterday, GAC Shipping Limited said it did not receive any amount of compensation for the incident involving MT New Diamond.

Increase in number of earth tremors felt in Sri Lanka: GSMB

There has been an increase in the number of earth tremors felt in Sri Lanka and earthquake conditions are reported more than usual, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) Director General (Acting) M.M.J.P Ajith Prema said.

Court prevents Dharshana Handungoda from circulating defamatory videos on two AG Dept. Officials

The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order against YouTuber Dharshana Handungoda preventing him from circulating further the defamatory video on two officials of the Attorney General’s Department.

Karunaratne equals Sri Lankan record with second hundred in the series

Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka both hit centuries as they amassed a record Sri Lankan opening stand in Galle of 228 in the second Test against Ireland on Wednesday.

Dengue week begins today, 27,000 positive cases reported around the country: Dr. Wijayamuni

While declaring a dengue eradication week starting today, Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said a total of 27,000 dengue-positive cases were reported from around the country.

13 Lankans evacuated, 12 more in Port Sudan: Foreign Ministry

The Foreign Affairs Ministry today confirmed that thirteen (13) Sri Lankans who were evacuated with the assistance of the Saudi Government have been received in Jeddah by Sri Lanka’s Acting Consul General.

Those in SJB will walk towards common journey with me before long: President

In response to a request made by the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa to walk the talk and thereby put into practice what he had talked of, President Ranil Wickremeinge yesterday told Parliament those in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will walk towards a common journey with him soon.

Delay in payments halts midday meals to schoolchildren: Minister

The programme to provide mid-day meals to school children has been halted in all provinces except the Western Province due to a delay in payments to suppliers for February and March 2023, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today.

Do not go for haircut on local debt restructuring: SJB urges Govt

While claiming that there is no debate over restructuring local debt, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne said today the government should not go for a haircut on local debt for any reason and that it should ensure the stability of the banking system.

Fake agents dupe aspiring SL student migrants

People smugglers have become increasingly sophisticated in duping Sri Lankan students and families by posing as migration agents and promising Australian permanent visas.

SL’s first export-oriented potato chip processing factory in Bandarawela

Sri Lanka’s first export-oriented potato chip processing factory has been established in Bandarawela by a young farmer company in Sri Lanka.

Percentage on lowering prices of local school products, shoes to be announced on May 23

Manufacturers agreed to lower the prices of local school products and shoes. Hence, the official announcement on the percentages of price reductions will be made on May 23, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

SL will have to decide on restructuring domestic debt: President

Claiming that the foreign debtors have proposed that Sri Lanka should restructure its domestic debt, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the government has not taken a final decision regarding this as yet.

Another SDIG appeals against transfer

Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya, who was transferred from SDIG Central Province as SDIG Crimes & Traffic, also requested the National Police Commission to take appropriate steps to rescind his transfer order given by the Public Security Ministry and IGP without mentioning the reason.

“Cardinal wants me hanged”: MS

Former President Maithripala Sirisena charged that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith is impatient with the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks, adding that the head of the Catholic Church is keen to have him sent to the gallows.

Constitutional reform necessary but only after consulting stakeholders – SLC Secretary

While conceding that a reform of the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) constitution was necessary, SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva believes that it needs to be done in consultation with its stakeholders.

Three SriLankan flights diverted to Mattala

Katunayake airport authorities took measures to divert three planes arriving at the airport to the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) due to the bad weather conditions and heavy rain that suddenly occurred in the area around the airport last evening.

Chamara Gunasekera sinks in mystery!

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa’s revelation in Parliament yesterday over one Chamara Gunasekera being the recipient of a US 250 million dollar bribe to bury the X Press Pearl compensation claim sent shockwaves amongst politicians and journalists who were hurrying to find who the name was connected to locally.