Start the new year with new concepts to avoid hardships: PM

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday called all Sri Lankans to start the Sinhala Tamil New Year enriched with new concepts to ensure that neither we, nor the future generation encounter hardships.

Myanmar military airstrike: Death count reaches 133

At least 133 people were killed, including women and children in an airstrike by the military Junta on a village in Central Myanmar, CNN reported citing the human rights minister of the ousted shadow National Unity Government Aung Myo Min.

Hot weather warning to Western and several other provinces

A caution level heat weather advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology today for the Western, Southern, Eastern and North-Central Provinces and in the Kurunegala, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts.

Fireworks manufacturing drops by 20% due to shortage or raw materials

The All-Island Fireworks Manufacturers Association (AIFMA) said the manufacturing of fireworks has dropped by 20 percent compared to previous years.

Sri Lankan and German held at Mumbai airport for boarding pass swap

A Sri Lankan trying to travel to the UK on a fake passport has been arrested along with a German for exchanging their boarding passes at the Mumbai international airport as part of a suspected trafficking deal.

Sri Lankans must try to be more affluent and prosperous: President

Whilst highlighting that the commencement of this year has presented a salubrious environment for all, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the nation should strive to be more affluent and prosperous by unitedly moving forward as one Sri Lankan nation.

Daily fuel distribution increased during festive season: Kanchana

Arrangements have been made to increase the volume of fuel distribution during the festive season, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Sri Lanka barred from Olympic and U23 Asian Cup football qualifiers

Sri Lanka will be barred from taking part in the qualification matches for the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, 2024 and the U23 Asian Cup unless Football Sri Lanka (FSL) meets the criteria to have its FIFA ban lifted by May 11.

SLPP division visible after reports

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) appears to be divided after media reports that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will contest for presidency at the next election scheduled for next year.

Three-day opportunity for jail inmates for this new year

The Prisons Department has prepared a special opportunity for the inmates to meet visitors during the three days in view of the 2023 Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Additional Prisons Commissioner General and Prisons spokesman Chandana Ekanayake said today.

Next hearing of Hamilton Reserve Bank’s lawsuit against Sri Lanka on April 20

The United States District Court in the Southern District of New York has set dates to hear the lawsuit filed by Hamilton Reserve Bank seeking payment of defaulted International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs) on April 20, following a failed attempt to get the case dismissed by the Sri Lankan government.

Int’l Monetary Fund issues growth warning as it lowers 2023 forecast

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) slightly lowered its outlook for the global economy on Tuesday, while predicting that most countries will avoid a recession this year despite economic worries and geopolitical strains.

Environmentalist questions move to export monkeys endemic to Sri Lanka

Environmental lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardana, while questioning the government’s recent decision to appoint a committee to study the export of 100,000 Toque monkeys to China, said that the current legal provisions do not permit the export of animals.

Minister appoints committee to stabilize SLR

Former national rugby football player Chula Dharmadasa was appointed as Chairman of a Standing Committee to stabilize the administrative structure of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) after Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe dissolved SLR.

India, Japan and France to announce SL debt restructuring process on Thursday

Finance Ministers of the three creditor countries-India, Japan and France will hold a press briefing in Washington on Thursday to announce Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring negotiations process, the IMF has announced

Education Ministry requests university lecturers to intervene in evaluating A/L answer scripts

While welcoming the decision by the Federation of University Teachers’ Union (FUTA) to suspend its trade union action, the Education Ministry requested members to intervene in the starting of the evaluation of Advanced Level (A/L) answer scripts.

Development in public transport must be passed on to commuters: LPBOA

With the development of the public transport sector, the benefits must be passed to the commuters, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Gemunu Wijerathne said.

As wild animals proliferate; damages to crops also increase: Ministry

A report submitted by the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agricultural Training and Research Institute showed that the wild animal population in the country had increased in an unsustainable manner compared to the existing forest density, the Agriculture Ministry said.

Additional private buses to be assigned during new year: Gemunu

Additional private buses will be assigned during the new year season following the requirements of the National Transport Commission (NTC) and the Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA), the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) said today.

Navy works on KKS harbour expansion to start ferry service as scheduled

In view of the proposed ferry service between KKS and Pondicherry, India, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) had been working on the development of infrastructure facilities of the harbour since February, the SLN said in a media release.

Man found dead in spa at Kandana

A 42-year old man was found dead at a spa in the Kandana area.

Arrive before noon today to obtain passports: Immigration Dept.

The Immigration and Immigration Department today in a special notification informed the public who have already obtained appointments for today to arrive at the department before noon to receive their passports.

Heavy showers may occur this afternoon: Met. Dept.

Heavy showers could be experienced in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces and Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara Districts during the afternoon, the Meteorology Department said this morning.

Additional buses assigned for people to go to their villages: SLTB

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) today said that more buses will be assigned for passengers to go back to their villages for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays starting today.

USAID and IREX announce launch of MoJo Lanka Academy

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) have...

Many have misunderstood me: Rajitha

While Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday that MP Rajitha Senaratne had changed his mind on the crossover, the latter says that many have misunderstood him.

People should elect Ranil uncontested for next term: Vajira

United National Party ( UNP) MP Vajira Abeywardane said Sri Lankan people should elect President Ranil Wickremesinghe uncontested for another term.

No LG Polls yet, but EC faces debt of Rs.375 mn

The Elections Commission is facing a debt of Rs.375 million which it has to pay to private contractors for the orders it had already placed for the Local Government Elections which was to be held on March 9 but was subsequently postponed due to the lack of funds, the Daily Mirror learns.

SJB issues are not important

Internal issues of Samagi Jana Balwegaya (SJB) and crossovers are not the most important issues at the moment as there are greater issues that have to be focused on, such as violation of the IMF agreement, SJB MP Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday

Sri Lanka seeks to develop Philippines as new tourism source market

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) in collaboration with Sri Lanka Embassy in Manila recently hosted a familiarisation....