Irish cricketers to play two-match test series in SL

The Ireland men’s national team will tour Sri Lanka next month for a two-match Test series, the Sri Lanka Cricket said.

Cop abetting ex-LTTE cadre to go abroad with forged documents arrested

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) has arrested a Police Constable for assisting an ex-LTTE female member to travel abroad with forged documents.

Controversial statement in Berlin lands Tourism Minister in hot water

Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando issued an apology to the Maldives for a controversial statement made at an international travel and trade fair, claiming his comments were “taken out of context and misrepresented.”

Australia warns illegal migrants

Australia has warned illegal migrants from Sri Lanka saying they will have “zero chance” of illegal entry. Several people have attempted to migrate to Australia by boat despite the dangers it poses.

Banks lift overseas spending limits imposed on credit cards as dollar liquidity improves

Several credit card issuers have lifted the limits that hitherto had on overseas use, as they saw their foreign currency conditions improving substantially in the recent times, providing them a lot more room to allow their cardholders with higher spending thresholds when they travel overseas.

Shipping industry seeks presidential intervention on regulation changes

While seeking presidential intervention, the Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council (SLSC) warned that the recent decision by Ports, Shipping and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva to remove the regulations on freight charges is likely to hurt the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s exports and result in higher import costs, fuelling inflation.

Prime lending rate falls sharply

The prime rate fell sharply, despite the Central Bank half-heartedly raising the key policy rates by 100 basis points, reflecting that the most recent policy move is entirely symbolic and has no real impact on the markets.

NCPA proposes to establish Infant Receiving Centres in Hospitals

The Child Protection Authority has proposed to establish Infant Receiving Centres in Hospitals in all nine provinces where parents could hand over their new born infants without claiming their identity, Chairman of the National Child Protection Authority Udaya Kumara Amarasinghe said today.

Trade Union protests to continue until Wednesday

Several trade unions, including the port workers, state bankers, and hospital doctors, had engaged in their trade union actions against the government’s move to impose a huge PAYE tax, increase electricity bills, increase bank interest rates, and urge the government to honour the working people’s freedom to exercise their democratic rights.

Psychoanalysis examination for Varsity students

Peradeniya University Administration has decided to subject all new entrants to a Psychoanalysis medical test.

Special centre to care, safeguard destitute children: Geetha

The government was planning to establish a special centre to safeguard and take care of the destitute children, State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe said today.

Govt. to double mid-day meals for school children

A national program that currently provides a mid-day meal for schoolchildren will be doubled from the start of the next school term, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Pavithra appointed as SL EUPFA President

Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was appointed recently as the President of the Sri Lanka-European Union Parliamentary Friendship Association (SL EUPFA).

Macedonian nabbed with cocaine worth Rs.17mn at BIA

A 54-year-old Macedonian was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle cocaine worth Rs. 17 million, Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

Delay in A/L results affects O/L exams: Minister

Due to the delay in releasing the results of the 2022 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination, will lead to a delay in holding the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

Why was Mahindananda prevented from leaving BIA?

MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage was prevented from leaving the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake citing a travel ban because the passport data of Aluthgamage at the Immigration and Emigration Department’s data system included information of another person.

Cardinal calls on govt. to resign and hold snap general elections

Government MPs should resign and create an opportunity for the people to elect a new government, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Police action on protesters: Tiran fails to appear before HRCSL

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, who was asked to appear before the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (HRCSL) today, over the actions of the Police and Security Forces to control the recent protests, has denied to appear before the Commission.

Appreciation of rupee is artificial: Hadunnetti

The appreciation of the rupee against the US Dollar was an artificial situation that has been created with a political agenda, former JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti said today.

Ex-lover extorts millions from female over nude photos

A female government officer in Padavi, Sripura was allegedly threatened by her ex-lover, who warned to release her nude photos to her husband if she did not pay him the ransom he demanded, police said.

A/L GIT exam to be held on March 18

General Information Technology (GIT) Examination for four years starting from 2019 is scheduled to be held on March 18, the Examinations Department Commissioner General said.

Payment for paper marking for teachers, uni professors, lectures increase

The daily payment assigned for examiners to evaluate 2022 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination scripts has been increased to Rs 2,000, the Education Ministry’s Secretary, M. Nihal Ranasinghe said.

New Zealand win first Test in last-ball thriller, Sri Lanka miss out on WTC final

Sri Lanka were eliminated from contention for the World Test Championship final after New Zealand fashioned a remarkable win in the first Test in Christchurch today.

Oscars 2023: RRR’s Naatu Naatu wins best original song

The song Naatu Naatu from the hit Telugu-language film RRR has made history by becoming the first Indian film song to win an Oscar.

Court issues arrest warrant on Wimal Weerawansa

The Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued a warrant for the arrest of Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa for not being present in Court in connection with a case filed against him by Cinnamon Garden police.

It is unlikely that Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds: EC

A highly disappointed chairman of the Election Commission (EC) Nimal G. Punchihewa yesterday lamented that it is unlikely that the Finance Ministry would release sufficient funds to the EC to conduct Local Council (LC) polls as ordered by the highest court in the country and therefore the only remedy is to seek redress from the Supreme Court once again as a last resort.

Personal assets of those who strike to be confiscated?

Personal assets of those who strike if they commit an offence will be confiscated under the Essential Services Act No 61 of 1979, a Member of Parliament said yesterday.

LG polls are so ‘critical’ – US Ambassador

While urging Sri Lanka’s legal community to be a strong and steady force for the rule of law and justice for all, US Ambassador Julie Chung yesterday said that the Local Government elections are so ‘critical’ for Sri Lanka.

Rupee appreciated due to contraction of economy: AKD

Claiming that the country could not be developed only through the appreciation of the rupee against the US Dollar, National People’s Power MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday an overall transformation was needed to develop the country.

Yaldevi derailed near Kelaniya

The Yaldevi Express train running from Colombo Fort to Anuradhapura derailed near the Kelaniya train station this morning, the Railway Department said.