Deshabandu Tennakoon tipped to be next IGP

Western Province Senior DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon is likely to be appointed as the Inspector General of Police following the retirement of the current IGP C.D Wickramaratne, the Daily Mirror learns.

Indian Railways kickstart Buddhist Circuit Tourist train

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has organised a Buddhist tourist train covering 9 places across India and Nepal that impacted Buddha, helping tourists experience his self-disciplined and legendary life, Indian media reported.

Royal College declare overnight, take early wicket

Royal College opted to declare their first innings in the 144th Battle of the Blues encounter against S. Thomas’ College on their overnight score of 326 for 8, before taking a wicket to edge the early exchanges on day two.

First ever free-of-charge conference, banquet hall to open on Monday

Sri Lanka’s first-ever free-of-charge, luxury, high-tech-equipped, conference hall and a grand banquet hall are to be declared open at the Devram Vehera temple in Pannipitiya on Monday (20).

Concerns sparked over US Defence Delegation Visit

The recent visit of a 20-member US delegation team comprising high-level defence officials, grabbed the headlines and came under the spotlight due to the classified information about the visit and the government’s failure to articulate the define objective behind the visit.

Chewing betels with arecanut: majority of population suffers from oral cancer

At least 50% of the population is estimated to be suffering from some form of mouth disease, Deputy Director General Dental Services Dr. Ananda Jayalal said.

Sri Lanka bowl first in 2nd New Zealand Test

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and elected to bowl Friday at the rain-delayed start of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Proposed CB law will pave way for unpopular but essential decisions

The new Monetary Law Act, which aims to grant independence to the Central Bank with enhanced accountability, will empower the monetary authority to make unpopular but essential decisions in prioritising price stability in the country under a flexible inflation target framework, a top official said.

Central Bank disputes Fitch Solutions’ forecast on rupee

Disputing the grim forecast of Sri Lanka’s exchange rate by Fitch Solutions by the year-end, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe raised concerns on the basis of the forecast while stressing that such long-term predictions on exchange rate are not prudent.

Can't print ballot papers as no funds received- Govt. printer informs EC

Government Printer Gangani Kalpana Liyanage informed the Election Commission yesterday that since there is no sign of receiving money from the Treasury, they cannot start printing ballot papers for the forthcoming Local Government elections.

Submit accounts or face termination: EC warns political parties

Failure to submit audited statements of accounts for the year 2021 within 14 days will result in the termination of the right to be treated as a recognized political party, the Election Commission informed political parties today.

Listeria spreading in Sri Pada area; no reason to panic

Claiming that there is no reason for panic or alarm over the spread of Listeria in the Sri Pada area, Registrar in Community Medicine of the National Institute of Health Sciences, Dr. Naveen Soyza said all precautions have been taken by authorities in this regard.

Dasis, Ramiru slam tons, establish new fifth-wicket record

Dasis Manchanayake and Ramiru Perera slammed tons as the pair came to the rescue of Royal College and in the process established a new all-time fifth-wicket record on day one of the 144th Battle of the Blues against traditional rivals S. Thomas’ played at the SSC ground.

Team appointed to probe accidents in SL airspace

Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva has appointed a team to investigate air accidents in Sri Lanka’s airspace for the first time.

Govt. agencies’ failure to hold the LG polls: SC grants leave to proceed with petition

Supreme Court today granted leave to proceed with a Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging the failure and refusal of several government departments to take the necessary steps to hold the Local Government Elections.

Royal pile on the runs as Thomians strike back

S. Thomas’ College struck back with three wickets, but Royal College continued to pile on the runs on the first day of the 144th Battle of the Blues at the SSC grounds.

Govt. discusses maintenance of 340 LG Bodies after their term end on March 19

The government has discussed the future activities and maintenance of 340 Local Government Institutions, whose term of office would end on March 19 midnight, Prime Minister’s Media Division said.

Oil price falls to $72 a barrel — first time since December 2021

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell over 5 percent to $72.39 a barrel — first time since December 2021.

Manchanayake scores stunning century, Royal wrest away control from Thomians

Dasis Manchanayake became the first Royal College captain in 27 years to score a century at a Royal-Thomian encounter, as he continued to frustrate the S. Thomas’ College bowlers on the first day of the 144th Battle of the Blues.

Verification of 1.1 mn welfare benefit applications completed: Semasinghe

State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe said the verification of 1.1 million welfare benefit applications that were received from 334 Divisional Secretariats across the island has been completed.

FIFA Congress upholds Sri Lanka suspension

Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka were on Thursday, March 16, suspended from voting during FIFA elections.

Manchanayake, Perera frustrate Thomians, Royal 186/4 at tea

Royal College stormed back into the 144th Battle of the Blues encounter reaching the day one tea break on 189 for 4, with S. Thomas’ College going wicketless in the second session of play.

Harak Kata’s father seeks Court’s intervention to protect son’s life

The father of Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias “Harak Kata ’’ today filed a writ petition in Court of Appeal seeking an order directing the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the detainee in accordance with the law.

Two killed in train tragedy

Two persons were killed and another injured when a car collided with a train at a railway crossing located between the Koggala and Habaraduwa Railway Stations, the Police said.

Sri Lanka gets its first rage room as economic crisis bites

In a backdrop where a lot of Sri Lankans are struggling to make their ends meet amid higher taxes and soaring utility bills, the country’s first ‘rage room’ has been opened in Koswatta, Battaramulla.

Supreme Court stays holding election for Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha

The Supreme Court today issued a stay order against the holding of Local Authority Elections in respect of the Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha.

SL Rupee further depreciates against USD

The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) has depreciated against the US Dollar (USD) today for the fourth consecutive day and today’s buying rate of USD is Rs. 329.02 while the selling rate is Rs. 346.33.

Manchanayake fashions a Royal fightback

An excellent, fighting half-century from Dasis Manchanayake ensured Royal College clawed their way back into the 144th Battle of the Blues against S. Thomas’ College - the Royalists on 128/4 after 32 overs.

Army Sgt, ex-soldier arrested for stealing firearm from Panagoda camp

An Army Sergeant and a former army soldier have been arrested for stealing a T56 firearm and 90 rounds of ammunition from the Panagoda Army camp sentry.

Researchers found two new species of geckos

A research team in Sri Lanka was successful in identifying two new species of geckos that are endemic to Sri Lanka in the isolated Misty Mountains.