Court order halts recruiting graduates to Teaching profession

The Competitive Examination for the Recruitment of Graduates from the Public Service to the Teaching Profession for vacancies existing in Sinhala, Tamil, and English Medium in National and Provincial Schools of the Island—2023—will not be held following a Supreme Court decision.

Revenge on Thomian minds as they face Royal in Mustangs Trophy encounter today

Royal College Colombo will look to retain the Mustangs Trophy when they face traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College in the 46th annual encounter at the SSC today (24).

CR & FC Centenary Rugby 7’s from March 31

The official draw for the upcoming CR & FC Centenary Rugby 7’s Tournament was announced on Thursday (23) at a press conference held at CR & FC. The tournament is being organized by the Red Shirts in celebration of 100 years of excellence.

Govt sets up restructuring Unit to assist in privatizing seven entitles including SriLankan, Litro

The government has set up the State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit (SRU) under the Ministry of Finance to assist in privatizing selected State Owned Enterprises such as Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd. including Sri Lankan Catering Ltd., Sri Lanka Telecom PLC and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., including Litro Gas Terminals (Pvt) Ltd (LPG retailing).

Private Member’s Bill to decriminalize same-sex conduct, gazetted

Parliamentarian Premanath C . Dolawatte has worked out a Private Member’s Bill which, if enacted, will provide for the decriminalization of same-sex conduct.

Sangakkara recommended Viyaskanth as net bowler for Rajasthan team

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth was recommended as a net bowler for the IPL’s Rajasthan Royals by the former Sri Lanka captain and the ex-MCC President Kumar Sangakkara.

Some political parties propose Election Commission to further postpone LG Polls

Some political parties today informed the Election Commission that conducting the Local Government polls on April 25, considering the present situation was not possible.

Custom-seizes cigarettes worth more than Rs. 6 bn

The officers attached to the Customs Investigation Division today seized a container of contraband foreign cigarettes with an estimated street value of more than Rs. 6 billion, Customs Spokesman Deputy Director (Legal) Sudatta Silva said.

’I will get approval of Parliament to implement IMF agreement although it is not required by law’ - RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that he would get the approval and assistance of Parliament to implement the IMF agreement although it is not required by law.

UNP set up first hut at ‘GotaGoGama’: Wimal

The first hut in the Galle Face ‘GotaGoGama’ was set up by Ashu Marasinghe of the United National Party (UNP), Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said today.

3rd term of 2022 school year ends tomorrow, 1st term of 2023 school year begins Monday

The third term of the school holiday for the year 2022 will begin tomorrow (24), Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

‘Most policies introduced by govt. MPs in 2022 have no record of implementation’ - Verite

According to a recent assessment conducted by Verité Research, 93% of policies introduced by Sri Lankan government MPs in 2022 pertaining to health, agriculture and power have no record of implementation. The results reveal the “closed culture” and lack of accountability present within the government.

25,000 military personnel quit posts during last two years: SF

Some 25,000 military and 1,000 police personnel have vacated their posts within the past two years, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said today.

Presidential and LG polls should be held on the same day: Navin

The Parliamentary, Presidential and Local Government Elections should be held together on the same day, former Minister Navin Dissanayake said today.

Sajith says opp. met diplomatic corps over delay in LG polls

The joint opposition including the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) met the diplomatic corps including the Ambassadors over the delay in holding the Local Government election, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

“I will not allow school children to be held hostage by various groups” - RW

President Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that he would not allow school children to be taken hostage by various groups and he would declare schools as an essential service if the teacher issues are not solved soon.

Imported milk powder price to be reduced by April: Importers

The Milk Powder Importers’ Association has decided to reduce the price of imported milk powder with effect from April 1, the association’s spokesperson Ashoka Bandara said.

Rahul Gandhi gets 2 years jail in ’Modi Surname’ case

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday in a 2019 criminal defamation case over his remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surname by a court in Gujarat’s Surat. However, he was granted bail and his sentence was suspended for 30 days to let him appeal the decision.

Puttalam’s air quality “unhealthy’; 13 districts moderate: NBRO

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has identified the air quality in the Puttalam District region as unsuitable for sensitive groups.

Over 35,000 electricity connections pending due to shortages: Minister

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) faces an issue with providing new power supplies where more than 35,000 new supplies were on the waiting list as a result of the shortage of required equipment, State Minister Indika Anurudda said today.

First consignment of eggs arrives at Colombo Port: Minister

The first consignment of eggs imported from India reached the Colombo Port today, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando said today.

RW issues Gazette calling Armed Forces to maintain public order

An Extraordinary Gazette Notification has been issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe calling upon the Armed Forces to maintain public order across the country with effect from March 22.

Canadian MP calls Sri Lanka a ’failed and bankrupt state’

A Canadian government MP and parliamentary secretary to a cabinet minister is calling Sri Lanka “a failed and bankrupt state” as the country receives another international bailout.

Minister must resign if unable to look into bus prices, spare parts prices: Gemunu

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne yesterday warned that the Transport Minister must resign from his post if he was unable to investigate the price reduction of bus spare parts and service rates as a result of the depreciation of US Dollars against the Sri Lankan Rupee.

CB continues purchase of dollars from market

The Central Bank is continuing to preserve its position as a net buyer of foreign currency from the domestic foreign currency market, with the dollar liquidity conditions started easing from around early this year, following debt standstill, lower tepid imports and increased dollar inflows.

SL to introduce property tax and gift and inheritance tax

Sri Lanka is expected to introduce a property tax and a gift and inheritance tax by the beginning of 2025, under the International Monetary Fund programme.

No need principals’ recommendation for teacher transfers: Stalin

There is no need for a recommendation by principals for teacher transfers, Ceylon Teachers’ Union Secretary Joseph Stalin questioned.

8-hour water board protest tomorrow: Union

The Water Supply Professionals Trade Union Alliance (WSPTUA) has decided to continue with their trade union action on March 23 because they have not received solutions to their demands.

President saved SL from economic war: Gemunu

People should express their gratitude to the President for making all efforts to receive the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and for saving the country by defeating the economic war, Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne said.

Sri Lanka willing to enhance bilateral trade with India in INR: SLHC

Sri Lanka will soon settle cross-border trade with India in Indian rupees. The island nation feels that trading in INR will also help increase the inflow of Indian tourists.