Ramadan fasting begins Friday

Muslims in Sri Lanka will begin their Ramadan fasting at dawn on Friday (March 24) as the new Crescent moon of the month of Ramadan has not been sighted in Sri Lanka this evening, the Colombo Grand Mosque announced.

Letter of Intent not tabled in Parliament: Harsha alleges

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has failed to table the Letter of Intent with regard to the IMF agreement even though he claimed that he tabled three documents in Parliament, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said today.

Five single-use plastic products banned from July: Dr. Jasinghe

As plastic pollution has become a major global issue as well as in Sri Lanka, the Environment Ministry has decided to ban the use of five single-use plastic products and certain plastic products imported from overseas, Environment Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe said.

Grade five scholarship school cutoff marks released

Based on the results of the 2022 grade five scholarship examination, the education ministry today issued cutoff marks for students to enroll in grade six.

Man cuts off electrician’s hands, flees with it

The hands of an electrician was cut off after he got into an altercation with an individual in Moratuwa yesterday and the suspect had then fled with the severed hands, police said.

IMF Fund Facility: SL receives first tranche of USD 330 mn today: Siyambalapitiya

Sri Lanka received the first tranche of USD 330 million of the IMF Extended Fund Facility today, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

SC lifts travel ban on MR, BR over FR on mismanagement of economy

The Supreme Court today announced that the travel ban imposed on former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa would not be effective any further in connection with the Fundamental Rights petitions filed over financial irregularities and mismanagement of the Sri Lanka economy.

SL Rupee appreciates further against USD

Sri Lanka Rupee (LKR) has appreciated further against the US Dollar (USD) today, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

UN team here for additional SL combat contingent for Mali

A high-level UN Pre-deployment team is currently in Sri Lanka in order to have an additional Sri Lankan combat contingent for Mali, the army headquarters said.

Japan keen to explore investment opportunities in Sri Lanka

A group of Japanese investors along with Japan Deputy Head of Mission Katsuki Kotaro called on the Board of Investment (BOI) to discuss new investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Govt. to introduce Estate Duty as a property tax by 2025: RW

The government would introduce Estate Duty as a property tax by 2025, with a minimum tax exemption allowance, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

IMF Fund Facility is a step towards building better future for youth: RW

The receipt of the IMF Fund Facility was a step towards building a better future for the youth and uplifting the country, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

President tables IMF agreement in Parliament

President Ranil Wickremesinghe tabled the IMF agreement in Parliament, a short while ago.

At least five dead after earthquake strikes Afghanistan and Pakistan

At least five people have died after a strong earthquake struck northeast Afghanistan on Tuesday, with tremors felt in cities in Pakistan and India.

Teachers to protest against arbitrary transfers

Considering the statement made by the Education Minister yesterday in Parliament, the issue relating to the teacher transfer board is worsening, Ceylon Teachers’ Union Secretary Joseph Stalin said.

Sri Lanka becomes first in Asia to have its governance come under IMF scrutiny

While Sri Lanka successfully crossed the hurdle of unlocking the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package on Monday, it also became the first country in the Asian region to have its governance come...

Cabinet nod to table Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill in parliament

In order to regulate the casino industry and plug tax loopholes, the Cabinet nod has been granted for the Betting and Gaming Levy (Amendment) Bill to be tabled in parliament for approval. After securing clearance...

February national inflation edges up on electricity and fuel price hikes  

National consumer prices edged up in February as non-food prices climbed on the back of the increase in electricity and petrol prices, which offset the persistent decline seen in food prices. Consumer prices...

Issuing permanent, daily liquor licences in Maharagama suspended

Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena instructed the officials to suspend issuing of permanent and daily excise licences for wine stores in the Maharagama Divisional Secretariat area

Only medal prospects for Asian Games, Arjuna says

The National Sports Council (NSC) said that only athletes that have the potential to win medals will be sent for the upcoming Asian Games, adding that athletes of 17 sports had been earmarked to represent the country at the games.

Chief Inspector held under PTA for alleged to have set Pulastini flee the country granted bail

Chief Inspector of Police Nagoor Thambi Aboobucker who was arrested for aiding and abetting Pulastini Mahendran alias Sarah Jasmin, one of the main suspects in the Easter Sunday Attack, to flee the country, has been granted bail by the Batticaloa High Court.

Ranatunga applauds Dimuth for stepping down from Test captaincy

Former World Cup winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga lauded the decision made by Sri Lanka’s Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne to stand down from the role, stating that it was a decision that no previous captain had made.

SJB files contempt papers against Treasury Secretary

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara today filed a contempt of case against Treasury Secretary for alleged failure to comply with the Supreme Court order issued regarding the Local Government Elections.

Two million schoolchildren to get mid-day meal from next term: Minister

A national program that currently provides one mid-day meal for schoolchildren will be increased to 2 million at the start of the next school term, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Fuel prices will be reduced considerably next month: Kanchana

Fuel prices would be reduced by a considerable margin at the routine fuel price revision according to the fuel price formula next month, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

Wet zone hill country leopard population is increasing

The population of wet zone hill country leopards (Panthera Pardus Kotiya) has been increasing in large proportions, environmentalists say.

Four youth go missing while bathing at Ellewala waterfall

Four youth who were bathing at Ellewala waterfall in Wellawaya have gone missing this morning, police said.

Keshara at Ridiyagama Safari Park dies due to pneumonia

The male lion named Keshara at the Ridiyagama Safari Park died due to pneumonia, issues with its heart, and a prolonged period of depression, officials said today.

Teacher transfers to go ahead as scheduled except for O/L, A/L teachers: Susil

Refuting allegations that it was an unlawful and arbitrary decision to dissolve Teacher Transfer Boards, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said today a decision has been taken to make the teacher transfers as approved by the Teacher Transfer Board except for the teachers who are teaching O/L and A/L classes.

SL Rupee appreciates against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has appreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today, according to the Central Bank.