Millions allocated for former presidents in 2023, Treasury makes no cuts

With 2022 bringing on an economic disaster for Sri Lankan citizens, one would expect the Treasury to reduce its budget allocations for 2023 in almost all areas where it can.

Commonwealth Secretary General arrives at BIA

Mrs. Patricia Scotland, the sixth Commonwealth Secretary-General, arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday for a visit.

SL among top 10 most instagrammable places in the world

Sri Lanka continues to gain attention for its unique tourism offering and bringing the destination under the spotlight once again is its scenic beauty.

Billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper says bitcoin and AI can position SL paradise for global entrepreneurs

Billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper proposes Sri Lanka to adopt bitcoin as its currency while enabling cross industry adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) through 5G to position the country as paradise for global entrepreneurs.

Exhibition at Archaeology Dept. on Independence Day

The Buddhasasana Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry will launch an exhibition at the Archaeology Department premises in view of the 75th anniversary of independence, Ministry Secretary Somarathne Vidanapathirana said.

Rare bright green comet is visible from Earth for first time in 50,000 years

The cosmos are already set to make human history in 2023. A bright green comet discovered less than a year ago has traveled billions of miles from its believed origins at the edge of our solar system and is in the process of making its only recorded appearance visible from Earth.

Octane 92 petrol to go up by Rs.30 from tonight

With effect from tonight, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Lanka IOC (LIOC) have decided to raise the price of a liter of Octane 92 petrol by Rs. 30.

PUCSL not approved today’s scheduled powercuts by CEB

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) today said that they had not approved the scheduled powercuts proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) today, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Rathnayake said.

Gen. Shavendra Silva now holds most numbers of prestigious medal in SL history

To coincide with the 75th Independence Day celebrations, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, awarded the prestigious Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) decoration that recognizes unblemished service to 77 senior officers of the three armed forces during a dignified ceremony at the President’s House in Kandy.

PUCSL files writ petition against CEB to prevent power cuts during A/L

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has filed a writ application before the Court of Appeal to obtain a writ against CEB in order to prevent power interruptions during Advanced level (A/L) examinations, PUCSL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said.

Do not prepare for teaching exams after attending tuition classes: Minister warns

Graduate teacher candidates were told not to attend extra tuition classes and prepare for the teacher exam, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

‘Decriminalize same sex conduct’ – Countries tell SL in Geneva

The United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Norway have urged Sri Lanka to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and decriminalize same-sex relationships by repealing sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code.

What China has offered SL is not enough: US

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said her country expects China as the largest bilateral creditor to Sri Lanka to give credible assurance to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring in keeping with the IMF.

No necessity to take action against SLC until Auditor General’s report received: Sports Minister

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe through his lawyer today informed the Court of Appeal that there is no necessity to take action against Sri Lanka Cricket until a comprehensive report from the Auditor General on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) T20 world cup-2023 expenditure is received.

Wasantha Mudalige released over three more cases

Convener of Inter-University Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha Mudalige was today released on bail by Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilana Gamage in connection with three more cases.

Over 100,000 tourists arrive in January: Harin

More than 100,000 tourists arrived in the country in January, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said today.

46 die of cancer every day in Sri Lanka: NCCU Director

Some 46 people die of cancer every day in Sri Lanka out of the 105 cancer patients who are detected daily, the National Cancer Control Unit (NCCU) Director Dr. Ishani Fernando said today.

Travel ban on Minister Keheliya temporarily lifted

The Colombo High Court today permitted Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella to travel abroad from February 21 to May 20.

Catholic Church would have forgiven Maithri if he accepted faults

The Catholic Church would have forgiven former President Maithripala Sirisena if he had accepted his shortcoming and resigned the day after the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, a spokesman for the church said today.

Jaishankar discusses follow up actions on his visit to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda met with the External Affairs Minister of India Dr. S. Jaishankar today (31) at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi to review the current status of the relations between Sri Lanka and India.

All creditors must agree to fair & equitable treatment - US

While reiterating its continuous support to Sri Lanka for the implementation of the IMF programme, the United States however said yesterday that all creditors must agree to fair and equitable treatment as then only the IMF can move forward.

Nuland assures US govt.’s support for SL’s recovery efforts

U.S. Under-Secretary for Political Affairs, Victoria Nuland, has pledged the US Government’s support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing recovery efforts, President’s Media Division(PMD) said.

Special notice to public using Galle Face Road

Police today urged drivers using the Galle Face Road to use alternative routes as much as possible during the Independence Day rehearsals and on the Independence Day.

Depression over SW Bay of Bengal likely to reach east coast this morning

The depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move west- southwestward and reach the east coast of Sri Lanka this morning, the Meteorology Department said.

CID initiates probe into fake Chinese embassy letter

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has initiated an inquiry into the complaint about a ‘fake’ letter with the Chinese Embassy Letter head, claiming that China is unable to amortise Sri Lanka’s debts, a minister said.

January recorded highest dengue cases than 2017, 2019: Dr. Samaraweera

The country had the highest number of dengue cases in January this year, compared to the number of positive cases reported in 2017 and 2019, the head of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said.

Government to settle Rs.175bn construction industry outstanding payments from capital allocations

The government has taken a policy decision to settle the outstanding payments owed to the construction industry from the capital allocations...

Gazette notification on holding LG polls issued

An extraordinary gazette notification with regard to the holding of the local government election on March 9, 2023, has been issued.

Self-retirement for inefficient public sector employees: Bandula

Steps were being taken to reduce the number of public sector employees in all government institutions and a self-retirement mechanism would be introduced for that effect, Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawradena said today.

2022 (2023) O/L applications can be submitted online only from Feb. 1 to 28: Exam Dept.

The Examination Department announced today that it had decided to call applications for the 2022 (2023) GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination, which will be conducted only online.