Government has no plans to dissolve CSD: Sagala

The Government has no intention of dissolving the Civil Security Department (CSD), Senior Adviser to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayake said.

Black Caps beat SL by 198 runs

Finn Allen made 51 after an early piece of luck and Henry Shipley took 5-31 as the Black Caps beat Sri Lanka by 198 runs in the first one-day international at Eden Park on Saturday.

UNHRC concludes observations on reports on six countries including SL

The Human Rights Committee said yesterday that it has concluded its one hundred and thirty-seventh session after adopting concluding observations on the reports of Egypt, Panama, Peru, Sri Lanka, Turkmenistan and Zambia.

Sinopec to invest in an oil refinery in Hambantota

Sinopec, a Chinese company ranking fifth in the Fortune Global 500 list of 2022, is planning to invest in a multi-million oil refinery project in Hambantota, Daily Mirror learns.

SL, South Africa to set up joint working group on truth and reconciliation mechanism

Sri Lanka will establish a joint working group with South Africa to work out the modalities of the proposed truth and reconciliation mechanism in Sri Lanka to address the ethnic question, a Minister said.Sri Lanka will establish a joint working group with South Africa to work out the modalities of the proposed truth and reconciliation mechanism in Sri Lanka to address the ethnic question, a Minister said.

Tour guide arrested for sexual harassment

A tour guide suspected of sexually harassing a Japanese tourist woman was taken into custody by the Anuradhapura Tourists Police yesterday.

Export earnings cross US $ 1bn for first time in 2023

Sri Lanka’s export sector saw the earnings cross the US $ 1 billion mark for the year 2023, with the month of February fetching a revenue of US $ 1.0052 billion for merchandise exports.

SL begins negotiations with India for fresh US $ 1bn equivalent INR currency swap

Sri Lanka has kicked off negotiations with India for a fresh US $ 1 billion equivalent Indian rupee (INR) currency swap facility to facilitate bilateral trade.

Dasun confident of claiming series whitewash

Sri Lanka’s limited overs captain Dasun Shanaka was confident his team could complete a series whitewash against New Zealand to claim an automatic spot in the Cricket World Cup later this year.

Furnishing a letter to mislead British HC: SC suspends lawyer from practicing for six months

The Supreme Court today issued a rule suspending a lawyer from practicing as an Attorney-at-law for a period of six months over a complaint made by a Second Secretary (Migration) of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka.

USD121 Mn from first tranche of IMF loan received to SL, paid to India

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that 121 million US dollars out of 333 million US dollars, the first tranche that was extended to Sri Lanka by the IMF, was used to pay the installment of the Indian credit line.

Treasury will have to bear part of SriLankan debt even after restructuring: Minister

The Treasury would have to bear a part of the debt burden of the SriLankan Airlines even after it was restructured, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Services Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said today.

Dhananjaya must play in top four, tweets Malinga; de Silva rejects rumours

Former Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga tweeted his support for Dhananjaya de Silva after reports emerged that the all-rounder had refused to bat at number seven in tomorrow’s first ODI against New Zealand.

Royal do the double on hapless Thomians

Royal College Colombo completed a double on rival S. Thomas’ College, beating them by seven wickets to retain the Mustangs Trophy at the SSC Grounds today.

Terminal 2 project of BIA to resume with Japan’s assistance: Aviation Minister

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has extended its support to Sri Lanka to restore the economy and the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Limited (AASL) can resume the Terminal 02 project of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with the assistance of JICA and the Government of Japan, Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Will summon EC for a meeting over uncertainty of LG polls: Dinesh

The Elections Commission will be summoned for a meeting to discuss the matters with regard to the uncertainty of the commission about holding the Local Government election, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said today.

Brother and sister drown in canal

Two children who, presumably, went in search of their mother who was late to be back after work had fallen into a canal at Bogoda in Haliela and drowned, the area police said.

Royal recover from early losses, on course for win

Royal College recovered from an early hiccup to stay on course for victory in the 46th Mustangs Tophy encounter against S. Thomas’ College being played today at the SSC Grounds.

Annual Medin Perahera of Devram Vehera Temple to begin tomorrow

The annual Medin Perahera of the Devram Vehera Temple in Pannipitiya will be conducted tomorrow (Saturday) under the patronage of the temple’s founder, Ven. Kolonnawe Siri Sumangala Thera. The Medin Poya in March is hallowed by the Buddha’s first visit to his parental home after his enlightenment.

Lok Sabha disqualifies Congress’ Rahul Gandhi after conviction in defamation case

India’s parliament on Friday disqualified opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi as a lawmaker after a lower court found him guilty of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison, according to a parliament notice, Indian Media reported.

S. Thomas’ bowled out for 165 in Mustangs Trophy

S. Thomas’ College were bowled out for 165 in the 46th Mustangs Trophy encounter against Royal College, being played at the SSC grounds today.

Top Zimbabwe ambassador involved in gold smuggling scheme

One of Zimbabwe’s most influential diplomats, Uebert Angel, offered to use his status to launder millions of dollars through a gold-smuggling scheme, during an undercover operation by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit (I-Unit).

S. Thomas’ College 104 for 4 after 30 overs

St. Thomas College staged a recovery of sorts, moving onto 104 for 4 after 30 overs in the 46th Mustang’s Trophy encounter against Royal College being played at the SSC grounds today.

IMF has deviated from its stance on SL: Kiriella

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had deviated from its original stance where they claimed earlier that the Government should obtain the people’s mandate to implement the economic reforms of the IMF, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said today.

Three retired military officers blacklisted for working with NPP: AKD

Three military officers including retired Air Vice-Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha had been blacklisted for engaging in politics with the National people’s Power (NPP), NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Royal make early breakthroughs in Mustangs Trophy

Royal College took early control of the 46th Mustangs Trophy limited overs match restricting S. Thomas College to 55 for 3 in 15 overs.

Norochcholai Power Plant suffers another breakdown adding pressure on power supply

The Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant suffered yet another breakdown last week forcing the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to pump more funds to ensure continued power supply.

Japan provides US$ 1.6mn to Lankan women affected by seoci-economic crisis

The Government of Japan has provided US$ 1.6 million to UN Women in support of humanitarian assistance for women mostly affected by the socio-economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The funding is part of a new project ‘Empowering women in crisis’, running from February 2023 to December 2023, which will support at least 1,200 women, including their children who have faced sexual and gender-based violence.

India’s Petroleum Ministry Secretary, IOC Chairman expected in Colombo today

Secretary to India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Pankaj Jain and IndianOil Corporation Ltd. Chairman Shirkant Madhav Vaidya are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka today for a brief visit, Mirror Business learns.

Urea fertilizer price slashed by Rs.7,000

Fertilizer companies today agreed to reduce the price of a 50kg bag of urea fertilizer by Rs. 7,000 in the market.