Two Bangladeshis caught at BIA with forged visas

Two Bangladeshi nationals who tried to flee to Australia using forged visas and passports have been arrested by a group of immigration department officials at the arrival terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

UNP hints early presidential poll

UNP Assistant Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam during the weekend hinted at an early Presidential election.

President says Penal Code will be amended to decriminalize homosexuality

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said homosexuality is an offence under the Penal Code, and the government will most probably take action to repeal this provision.

Jaffna residents didn’t turn us away

Responding to reports that members of the Inter-University Student’s Federation (IUSF) members were turned away in Jaffna, Convenor Wasantha Mudalige said the media had misreported the incident.

Attack on Galle Face protesters: Writ petition against Deshabandu dismissed

A writ petition filed by a lawyer seeking an order directing the CID to arrest Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon for his failure to prevent attacks on peaceful protesters at Galle Face was today dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Singapore Airlines’ 787 Dreamliner lands at BIA for the first time

Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner landed for the first time at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this morning.

Only three months left to pay the fine; give me as much as you can: Maithripala

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said the six months given to him to pay the fine of Rs. 100 million over the Easter Sunday attack ruling was running out and appealed to his friends and well-wishers to give him whatever amount possible to pay the fine.

Female agricultural research officer hacked to death over work dispute

A 30-year-old woman, an agricultural research officer in Tangalle had been hacked to death over a dispute related to her work this morning.

BCCI to ban Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players from IPL?

The 16th edition of the IPL starts on Friday, March 31, with defending champions Gujarat Titans taking on four-time winner Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Police probe over lawyer who gave contract to Kapuwa to kill a Magistrate

Horana Police has initiated an investigation into an incident where a lawyer had given a contract to a Kapuwa to kill Horana Magistrate Chandana Kalansuriya at least by black magic.

19 pc vegetables, 21 pc fruits perish due to bad practices: Minister

Nineteen percent of vegetables and 21 percent of fruits are destroyed annually due to a lack of proper transportation methods, Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Condoms sold actively across the country

Contrary to the popular belief, condoms are being sold actively across Sri Lanka, the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka said.

Govt. mulls Irish-style implementation unit for IMF programme

With the aim of ensuring a smooth continuation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme by averting possible hiccups leading to suspension of the programme, the government is contemplating on setting up an Irish-style implementation unit with special powers to implement mutually agreed targets and structural benchmarks within stipulated time lines.

China says it ‘firmly opposes’ potential forced sale of TikTok

China said it would “firmly oppose” any forced sale of TikTok, in its first direct response to demands by the Biden administration that the app’s Chinese owners sell their share of the company or face a ban in its most important market.

Pay US$ 84 a year for Twitter Blue or lose checkmark beginning April 1: Twitter

Twitter’s free blue “verified” checkmarks for notable users may finally be coming to an end. Ever since Elon Musk took control of the company in October, he’s been threatening to remove the “legacy” checkmarks that confirmed the identities of users like government officials, corporations, journalists, celebrities and other high-profile tweeters.

Visiting IOC Chairman donates 500 indoor solar cooking systems to Sri Lanka

During his recent visit to Sri Lanka, Chairman Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) Shrikant Madhav Vaidya donated 500 indoor solar cooking systems called ‘Surya Nutan’ to the Government of Sri Lanka through Lanka IOC.

Country cannot be developed by selling state property or obtaining loans any more: AKD

Sri Lanka could not be developed by selling state property or obtaining loans anymore as the country had practiced the same strategy for the last three to four decades without any success, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

South Africa smash record chase in first 500-run T20

South Africa set a new record for chasing in international T20 cricket when they scored 259 for four to beat West Indies by six wickets at Centurion on Sunday.

Sri Lanka’s access to Indian and African markets cannot be disrupted: RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka’s access to the growing Indian market as well as the opening of African markets cannot be disrupted and should not be disrupted by big power, rivalry or conflict.

Karaikkal-KKS Ferry service to commence on April 29: Minister

The ferry service between Karaikal Port in Pondicherry, India and Kankesanthurai (KKS), scheduled to commence from April 29, 2023, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Hotel employee arrested for sexually harassing German woman

An employee of a massage clinic in a tourist hotel in the Habaraduwa area was arrested on suspicion of sexually harassing a German woman who called over at the hotel to have a massage.

Prasanna Ranatunga alleges SJB and NPP tried to prevent getting IMF assistance

Both Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) and National People’s Power ( NPP) tried to prevent Sri Lanka from obtaining IMF assistance through foreign diplomatic offices on the island, a government minister alleged.

First school term 2023 begins tomorrow

The first school term for the year 2023 will commence tomorrow, the Education Ministry announced.

Prices of goods to come down during Sinhala Tamil New Year: Minister

Since the Sri Lankan rupee has gain strength against the US$, the prices of essential commodities and other imported goods will be reduces on account of the Sinhala Tamil New Yea season, Trade Minister Nalin Fernando said.

Schoolboy reprimanded for making fake bomb alert at airport

A 14-year-old schoolboy who made a call over a false bomb threat at Terminal II of Bandaranaike International Airport was arrested by the Airport Police yesterday.

Kaushalya Navaratne, the new BASL President

Senior Attorney Kaushalya Navaratne assumed duties as the 27th President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

Mississippi tornado kills 26 and brings devastation to US state

Search and rescue efforts are continuing in Mississippi after a deadly tornado hit the US state. At least 25 people have died in the state, and one in Alabama, with dozens more left injured by Friday’s tornado.

Price of Milk tea to come down by Rs.10 soon

All Island Canteen Owners’ Association (AICOA) today said that the price of a cup of milk tea would be reduced by Rs.10 soon after the price of milk powder comes down.

Bandula hooted at in Homagama

A man who had hooted at Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane, who was participating at an event close to the Pitipana Junction, Homagama has been arrested by the police.

At least 34 migrants missing after fifth boat sinks off Tunisia in two days

At least 34 African migrants were missing on Friday after their boat sank off Tunisia, the fifth shipwreck in two days, raising the total number of missing to 67 amid a sharp increase in boats heading towards Italy, Tunisian officials said.