Penal Code Amendment decriminalize Child abuse: Civic Group

The proposed amendment to Chapter 19 of Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code, will lead to the decriminalization of child abuse, a Civil organization alleged today.

Certain political elements behind delaying A/L answer script correction: Minister

An intelligence report revealed that certain extremist political groups wanted to promote extremist political ideologies by using the frustration of the youth by delaying the scrutinization of GCE (A/L) answer scripts, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Eggs should be sold by weight; at Rs. 850 a kilo: Poultry Association

The consumers will gain a huge relief if the price of eggs is decided according to their weight, All Island Poultry Association (AIPA) President Ajith Gunasekara said.

Cabinet nod to obtain Parliamentary approval for IMF Fund Facility

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Ranil Wickremesighe as the Finance Minister to obtain approval of Parliament for the Extended Fund facility of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Govt. restricts holding events, meetings at Galle Face Green

A Cabinet decision has been taken not to grant permission for the holding of musical performances, political meetings or other activities at the Galle Face Green, except for religious activities, with effect from April 20.

Increased fuel quota will continue this week too: D.V. Chanaka

The Power and Energy Ministry has decided to continue with the increased fuel quota that was provided for the New Year season in the same way during the next week as well.

Forbes lists Sri Lanka as one of 23 best places to visit in 2023

US-based international travel influencer Juliana Broste, a 12x Heartland Emmy Award-winning travel filmmaker and host, showcasing adventures and fun things to do around the world, recommended Sri Lanka to be listed as one of the best places to visit in 2023 and as a result of her continuous effort, Sri Lanka has been listed on the Forbes list as one of the 23 best places to visit in 2023.

SL’s official unemployment rate masks true labour market conditions

Sri Lanka ended 2022 with an official unemployment rate of 4.8 percent, a figure which masked much of the anomalies in the country’s labour market, as many people either migrated or gave up looking for work when the economy fell into its worst slump in the country’s post-independent history.

Silent protests to mark Easter Sunday mayhem

Whilst highlighting that the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is to build up a human chain on April 21 to mark the 4th anniversary of Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today urged all citizens to join the church in this exercise.

Constitutionality of Bill to amend laws to protect LGBTQI community challenged in SC

The constitutionality of the private member’s bill submitted to parliament seeking to amend Sri Lanka’s penal code with the aim of protecting the country’s LGBTQI community has been challenged before the Supreme Court through a Special Determination petition.

Quadruplets born at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital

A resident of Thorayaya in Kurunegala has given birth to quadruplets (three males and one female) at Peradeniya Teaching Hospital today.

Six arrested with Rs. 3.5 bn worth of heroin brought ashore

The six men who were arrested along with 175 kilos of heroin during a special search operation had been brought ashore at the Galle Harbour.

Extreme Heat warning issued to eight districts

The Meteorology Department has issued extreme heat weather advisory tomorrow particularly for Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mullaithivu, Mannar, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, Moneragala and Hambantota Districts.

Toque monkeys could be heading for labs in China: CEJ

The first batch of 100,000 toque monkeys could be heading for test labs in China, Executive Director of the Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Hemantha Withanage said.

Vijay Sethupathi withdraws from Madhur Mittal in lead role; Story ‘800’ by Muttiah Muralidharan

The first look poster of the movie ‘800’ which tells the life story of Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan has been released.

Expressway revenue exceeds Rs. 70 mn during past 48-hours

More than Rs. 70 million in revenue was collected from the expressways during the past 48 hours, Road Development Authority (RDA) Project Director L.V. Sardha Weerakoon said.

Sri Lanka, UK to convene Strategic Dialogue in London

Sri Lanka would participate in the inaugural UK-Sri Lanka Strategic Dialogue at the Foreign Secretary level on April 18, 2023 at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London.

Increased fuel quota to continue?

A decision whether or not to continue with the increased fuel quota for the festive season will be taken today, the Power and Energy Ministry said.

Decision to export monkeys depends on committee decision: Amaraweera

The decision to export 100,000 toque monkeys to China would depend on the decision taken by the committee appointed by the Agriculture Minister.

Sri Lanka at 75 is a failed state; CBK

Despite possessing enviable social indicators at the time of Independence in 1948, Sri Lanka, at 75, is a “failed state”, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said on Sunday.

Indian origin Australian killed, two including her daughter injured in accident at Hemmathagama

An Australian tourist of Indian origin was killed, her daughter and another injured when a car they were travelling in met with an accident at Dara Wanguwa in Hemmathagama.

Nine Ramadan fasting inmates escape from Badulla open prison; two apprehended

Nine inmates who were undergoing Ramadan fasting at the Thaldena Open Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Badulla escaped early this morning.

Delayed SriLankan flight in Melbourne returns to Katunayake

The passenger flight (UL-605) belonging to SriLankan Airlines, which suffered a technical fault at the airport in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday (15), arrived at the Katunayake International Airport at 7.40 this morning.

Sri Lanka has fallen on path of prosperity: Siyambalapitiya

As a country, Sri Lanka has fallen on the path of prosperity, State Finance Minister Ranjith Siambalapitiya said.

EC still awaiting an indication of releasing funds for LG poll

The Election Commission (EC) is still awaiting an indication from the Finance Ministry on a time frame in which necessary funds would be released to the EC to conduct the twice postponed Local Government (LG) polls, chairman Nimal G Punchihewa said yesterday.

Defeat the new terror Bill to protect democracy

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said yesterday that it is a national responsibility for all lawmakers to vote against the proposed Ant-Terrorism Bill (ATB) in parliament and prevent it from becoming law in the country as the consequences of it will be extremely, Inhuman, regrettable and irreversible.

President to call for a national government

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to make a fresh call for a national government on April 25 when Parliament takes up the debate on the IMF extended Fund Facility (EFF) agreement.

Sri Lanka gets more time to repay BB’s $200m loan

Bangladesh has extended the repayment period of Sri Lanka’s $200 million loan it had given by six more months.

Heavy influx of pilgrims in Kataragama

A heavy influx of pilgrims was experienced in Kataragama sacred city during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festive season. Pilgrims from far and near flocked to Kataragama and among them were thousands of Hindu devotees from Jaffna and Batticaloa areas.

A rare hybrid solar eclipse on April 20

A rare hybrid solar eclipse will take place on April 20, Chairman Arthur C Clarke Center for Modern Technologies, Professor Chandana Jayaratne said.