Tax revenue doubles to Rs.316bn in first quarter

The tax collections by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) rose by a record 216 percent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs.316.62 billion in the first quarter of this year, driven by the changes in the tax policy and gradual recovery of economic activities, according to Inland Revenue Department Commissioner General D.R.S. Hapuarachchi.

SriLankan doesn’t own single aircraft; runs operation with leased planes: Minister

SriLankan Airlines does not have a single aircraft and the aviation process is maintained by the aircraft acquired under leasing from different countries, Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Sri Lanka seeks Indian help for evacuation

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has sought help from India to evacuate 20-30 Sri Lankans stranded in Sudan, which is now engulfed in fighting between the forces of two Military Generals, the Daily Mirror learns.

Inquiry launched over alleged sexual harassment of State TV presenter

Chairman of the Independent Television Network Sudarshana Gunawardana today said he had instructed the General Manager of ITN to immediately start an inquiry on the alleged sexual harassment case of a former employee at the News and Current Affairs Division at ITN.

Govt. should explain decision to file X-Press Pearl claim in Singapore

Chairman of the Centre for Environmental Justice Ravindranath Dabare said that his organization’s stance remains that the claim for compensation in the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster should be filed in Sri Lanka.

FUTA meets today to decide on A/L paper marking

The months-long delay in the marking of answer scripts of the GCE A/L examination - 2022 will most probably come to an end after the Board of Representatives (BoR) of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) meets this afternoon (April 25) at a meeting at the Kelaniya University, FUTA President Prof. Shyama Benneheka said.

Here and Now steals the show with the RTC Magic Million Cup in N’ Eliya

Here and Now, along with local star jockey L. Ravi Kumar, stole the limelight after thundering their way to win the RTC Magic Million Cup – the main event of the day – at the RTC Magic Million Cup Race Day 2023, held at the picturesque Nuwara Eliya Racecourse on Sunday (23).

Schools Rugby League to kick off in June 2023

Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SSRFA) conducted Under 19 Rugby League will be worked off starting from second week of June 2023 in Colombo and Kandy. There will be 14 teams playing for honors in two groups with Isipathana College playing as the defending champions.

Applications accepted only by registered post: Ministry

Issuing a circular, the Education Ministry requested applicants to send their Grade 2 to Grade 11 enrollment applications to their respective schools by registered post from today.

Red alert for 19 districts on severe lightning: Met Dept.

A Red alert on thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning has been issued for 19 districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

Power outages in Colombo 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 and suburbs

Due to a failure in a power line at the Maradana substation, several areas within Colombo 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12 and suburbs are currently experiencing a power outage, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Suicides may be considerably higher this year compared to previous years: SLMA

The number of suicides in the country this year might be considerably higher compared to previous years, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr. Chathuri Suraweera warned.

Sri Lanka Tourism embarks on a three city roadshow series in India

Sri Lanka tourism continues to expand its warm bilateral and cultural ties with its Indian counterparts by venturing into a series of Road Shows in key Indian cities from 24th – 28th April 2023. The first roadshow will be held in Chennai (24 April), followed by Cochin (26 April) and finally at Bangalore (28 April).

Attack on Galle Face protest: CA issues order preventing Deshabandu from being arrested

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order preventing Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon from being arrested in connection with his alleged failure to prevent attacks on peaceful protesters at Galle Face.

Court of Appeal suspends summoning Dappula before TID

The Court of Appeal today issued an interim order suspending the summoning of former Attorney General Dappula de Livera before the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) to record a statement in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Children, expectant mothers at risk, stay hydrated: SLMA

Children, expectant mothers, the elderly and those taking treatment for various illnesses are at risk of dehydration due to the extreme temperatures recorded in Sri Lanka, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne said.

Hot weather conditions continue for next few days: Met. Dept.

The prevalent hot weather conditions in the country will continue for the next few more days, the Meteorological Department said.

Court refrains from issuing an arrest warrant against Diana Gamage

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today refrained from issuing an arrest warrant against State Minister Diana Gamage for allegedly committing offences under Immigrants and Emigrants Act.

Thai govt. ’still looking for a way’ to bring abused jumbo gifted to SL, home

The Thai government is still looking for a way to bring back Sak Surin -- one of three elephants that Thailand gifted to Sri Lanka back in 2001 -- for medical treatment, after an animal rights organisation reported last year the pachyderm had been mistreated by its new handlers, Bangkok Post News Agency reported.

Dappula files writ petition against summoning before TID

Former Attorney General Dappula de Livera has filed a writ petition before the Court of Appeal over the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) summoning him to record a statement in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Namal defends Gotabaya

Ruling party MP Namal Rajapaksa said the collapse of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government was engineered as part of a conspiracy hatched since the defeat of the LTTE to destabilize the county economically, socially and politically.

Steps taken to control spreading Lumpy Skin Disease: Minister

Preventive measures are underway to control Lumpy Skin Disease, which is currently spreading in several divisional secretariats in the North Central Province, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Earthquake off Hambantota, no tsunami threat: GSMB

A minor earthquake of 4.4 magnitudes on the Richter scale has been recorded by the Seismic Monitoring Centre at the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) this morning.

Rights activists worry Lankan toque macaque may end up in labs in China

Several organisations of conservationists and animal rights activists in Sri Lanka raised their voice against an alleged move by the government to send some 100,000 toque macaques to China.

Experts smell a rat as Lankan authorities place hopes on Singapore

Two years after the MV X-Press Pearl container ship caught fire in Sri Lankan waters, local authorities continue to take a snail-paced approach to file a compensation claim. The inferno is reported as the single worst incident of chemical and plastic pollution at sea.

Soldier falls to death at Moragahakanda Reservoir

A corporal attached to the Kiralagolla army base deployed for security at the Moragahakanda reservoir died after falling from the reservoir in Naula.

Sri Lanka to gift two female elephants to Pakistan

After the tragic death of African elephant Noor Jehan in the Karachi Zoo, Sri Lanka has said it will gift two elephants to Pakistan, Honorary Consul General of the country Yasin Joyia confirmed to Geo News Sunday.

Electric trains to opreate on Ragala route?

Minister of Media and Transport Bandula Gunawsrdene said the railway line between Nanuoya and Ragala would be restored to operate electric trains.

Exporting of Toque monkeys: Animal rights laws should be upheld

Animal laws should be upheld when it comes to the exportation of Toque monkeys. Former Minister of Wildlife and Member of Parliament Sarath Fonseka said today.

School van monthly charges to reduce between 5% to 8% from May 1

All Ceylon Inter District School Children’s Transport Services Association said today that the monthly charges for school vans will be reduced by May 1.