Two trains collide in Greece, at least 32 killed, 85 injured

Two trains collided head-on in Greece killing at least 32 people and injuring 85 late on Tuesday night, the fire brigade said, but the cause of the deadliest rail crash in Greece in decades remained unclear.

Final agreement with IMF to be signed in March

Sri Lankan government will sign the final agreement with IMF on the latter’s bailout package for the country next month after which assistance would come from multinational donors and a few countries, two presidential advisors said yesterday.

government expects rice prices to fall following SSCL removal

The government expects a considerable fall in rice prices following the removal of the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) imposed on the purchasing of paddy, production of rice and marketing.

Rupee appreciates after almost a year into free float

Sri Lankan rupee appreciated yesterday on improved sentiments over the current and future foreign exchange conditions in the domestic market after the announcement that International Finance Corporation (IFC) is willing to provide US$ 400 million worth of swap facility for three commercial banks to support essential imports.

SL to have nuclear power plant in near future: Atomic Energy Board Chairman

The Cabinet approved signing the international conventions relating to generating electricity using nuclear power as it was a reliable, low-carbon base load source of electricity to complement renewable energy sources in the future, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLARB) Chairman Professor S.R. D. Rosa said.

CA quashes charges against Ravi in two CB bond cases

The Court of Appeal today issued a writ of certiorari quashing the charges against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake in connection with two cases filed in Colombo High Court over Central Bank bond issuance.

Shammi to seek re-election, Mathivanan opposes SLC ballot under old regulations

Incumbent President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Shammi Silva will seek re-election to the post at the upcoming SLC elections after handing over his nomination, the Daily Mirror learns.

RTI Act applicable to Parliamentarians –CA

In a landmark judgment pertaining to the scope of the Right to Information Act (RTI Act), the Court of Appeal today held that provisions of the RTI Act are also applicable to the Members of Parliament in respect of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law.

World Bank assures continuous support to SL’s Development Reform Program

The World Bank assured continuous support to Sri Lanka’s development reforms program, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Pro-Tamil group attempt siege on SL High Commission in Chennai over attack on fishermen

The cadres of Pro-Tamil group, May 17 Movement, held a protest against the recent alleged attack on Indian fishermen and attempted a siege on the Sri Lankan High Commission in Chennai

Sri Lanka fails to get direct qualification for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

The automatic qualifiers for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 have been identified after the end of the eighth edition of the tournament that saw Australia win their sixth title at Newlands in Cape Town on Sunday, with Sri Lanka and Ireland failing to get direct qualification for the tournament.

Countrywide trade union action to kick off tomorrow against govt.

A number of professional trade unions from the essential services sector, including power, petroleum, water, ports, teachers, university lecturers, and banks, assured that they will engage in a countrywide one-day strike tomorrow, Trade Union Alliance Convener Ranjan Jayalal said.

AKD refuses allegations on election campaign cost; says never spent lavishly

Responding to allegations that the National People’s Power (NPP) was spending colossal amounts of money for the election campaign, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today they never spent lavishly on the election campaign like other parties.

Contributory Pension Fund to cover pension costs of public employees: Bandula

The cabinet has decided to establish a ‘National Contributory Pension Fund’ (NCPF) to cover pension costs of employees who will join the public service in the future, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said today.

Bolivian woman nabbed with cocaine worth Rs.230 mn at BIA

A 26-year-old Bolivian woman was arrested this morning with a large stock of cocaine worth Rs. 230 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by the customs officers attached to the Narcotics Control Unit, the Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said.

Parliament should allocate funds for LG polls through a special resolution

A group of Opposition members including Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Dullas Alahapperuma, Professor G. L. Peiris and Dilan Perera who had met the Speaker today had proposed that Parliament should immediately allocate funds for the local government elections through a special resolution.

Pilot project to run electric buses to reduce cost

To reduce the cost of importing fossil fuels from abroad, the Highways Ministry has decided to introduce buses that can be powered by renewable energy sources.

CB calls for tenders to renovate holiday home in Nuwara Eliya

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has called for tenders to renovate the roof of its holiday home in Nuwara Eliya.

Air quality in Jaffna, Kurunegala, Kandy, Hambantota turns unhealthy

The Emergency Operation Center of the Disaster Management Center (DMC) today announced that the air quality index (AQI) level concerning PM2.5 indicates an unhealthy level for sensitive groups at Jaffna, Kurunegala, Kandy, and Hambantota and a moderate level in other cities.

Abduction case against Hirunika to be heard on May 9

The case against Colombo district former Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra for her alleged involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender was yesterday today fixed for trial by Colombo High Court.

Another shooting at Ambalangoda

A person was admitted to the Ambalangoda hospital following a shooting incident in the Kuligoda area this morning, police said.

Professionals to engage in TU action tomorrow; Private buses will run as usual: Gemunu

The Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) today said that they would assign all their buses, including school and office services, tomorrow to facilitate the public, despite the scheduled Trade Union (TU) action.

Man found dead with gunshot injuries inside a car in Panadura

A body of a person died due to shooting at Pinwatta in Panadura, was found inside a luxury vehicle this morning.

North Korean parents who let children watch Hollywood films sent to jail

The totalitarian nation of North Korea, ruled by its supreme leader Kim Jong Un, has unusual rules and laws. Now, in a bid to intensify its Western media crackdown, North Korea has threatened to punish parents if their children are caught watching Western-made films and TV programmes.

World Bank’s IFC extends US $ 400mn financing to three Sri Lankan banks

To support Sri Lanka amid an ongoing economic crisis, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank, is providing a cross-currency swap facility to three of Sri Lanka’s leading national banks that deal with over 30 percent of Sri Lanka’s remittances and exports.

Ranil proposed winding up UNP

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had proposed to wind up the party following its humiliating loss at the last elections, former Minister Navin Dissanayake revealed.

Russian family had a narrow shave from elephant attack

A vehicle in which a Russian family on board was attacked by a wild elephant when they attempted to take a selfie with the jumbo straying near the Minneriya National Park on Habarana-Polonnaruwa main road.

Civil Society Activist Chirantha Amarasinghe arrested

Civil Society Activist Chirantha Amarasinghe has been arrested by police today evening near the State Intellgence Service Head Quarters in Colombo. Chirantha Amarasinghe’s lawyer confirmed that his client was arrested whilst attempting to submit a Right to Information Request concerning a report issued about him.

President signs gazette declaring several services as essential

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has signed an extraordinary gazette declaring several services as essential services with immediate effect, the President Media Division (PMD) said.

New alliance to be formed soon: Harin

A new alliance will be formed with the priority of the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) members in two or three weeks, Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando said.