Indian diamond heiress’ Eight-year-old daughter becomes a nun

Eight-year-old Devanshi Sanghvi, the daughter of a wealthy Indian diamond merchant renounced the world and became a nun, the BBC reported.

CBSL maintains policy interest rates at current levels

The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, at its meeting held yesterday decided to maintain the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) of the Central Bank at their current levels of 14.50 per cent and 15.50 per cent, respectively.

Govt. detached from people’s aspirations cannot bring in economic recovery: AKD

Any government which was detached from people’s true aspirations cannot bring in economic recovery through measures such as imposing taxes, National People Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday.

NSC rejects names put forward for SLC selection committee

The National Selection Committee (NSC) of the Ministry of Sports has rejected all ten names proposed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for its new national cricket selection committee, it was reported ye

Thisara Perera to play Legends League in Qatar

Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Thisara Perera is all set to play in the Legends League Cricket (LLC) tournament in Qatar, it is learnt.

President confers ’Sri Lankabhimanya’ honour on Karu Jayasuriya

An extraordinary gazette notice has been issued informing that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to confer the title Sri Lankabhimanya, Sri Lanka’s highest national award on former Speaker Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya.

Fowzie becomes an MP

A. H. M. Fowzie has been appointed as a Member of Parliament from Colombo to fill the vacancy created by M. M. Rahuman who resigned from Parliament to contest for the Mayor of Colombo.

Robbers remove ATM from private bank in Gampola

An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of a private bank in Gampola on the Gampola-Kandy main road has been robbed by some robber gang last night.

Thundershowers forecast in several districts this afternoon: Met. Dept.

There could be thundershowers in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night, the Meteorology Department said.

Can the burning issues faced by country be solved through LG polls?: Manusha quizzes

If the country’s burning issues can be resolved through local government elections, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara urged the responsible authorities to declare them publicly.

CB chief signals end to debt moratoria

As businesses across diverse sectors are still hoping for some relief by way of debt moratoria, the Central Bank yesterday indicated that it does not encourage the continuity of such packages as that could take a heavy toll on the banking sector.

Overnight liquidity turns positive as standing facility restrictions go into effect

Overnight liquidity in the interbank market narrowed its deficit significantly and at times turned positive after the Central Bank announced limits on access to its standing facility windows from the middle of this month.

Children become sick of studies by the time they prepare for grade 5 exam: Minister

By the time children reach the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, they become sick of their education, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

10 out of 33 coal cargo unloaded for NCPP, expect another nine in Jan, Feb, March

Kanchana Wijesekera, the Power and Energy Minister, announced today that 10 of the 33 coal cargo shipments required for the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCPP) have already been unloaded.

Even some ministers involved in conspiracy to evict GR: Sagara Kariyawasam

There was a conspiracy hatched to evict former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, where even some of the ministers at that time, got involved, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said today.

Two killed, four injured in bus-van collision in Valaichchenai

Two persons including a three months old infant were killed and four women were injured in a head-on collision involving a bus and a van at Valachchenai on the Polonnaruwa-Batticaloa road this afternoon.

Meteorology Department warns of severe lightning

The Meteorology Department warned of thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night.

EC, political parties reach agreement on expenditure for election campaign

The Election Commission and around 85 political parties yesterday reached an agreement on the maximum amount which could be spent by individual candidates and parties at the local government election.

Govt. says Rs.10bn shortfall in tax revenue from Customs, Excise Departments

The tax revenue expected from the Customs and Excise Departments will fall short of Rs.10 billion this month, according to State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalaptiya.

Power and Energy Ministry Secretary, PUCSL Chairman summoned before HRCSL

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has summoned Secretary to the Power and Energy Ministry and Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) before the commission tomorrow for an inquiry over their failure to prevent power cuts during the Advanced Level examination.

Mujibur goes before Supreme Court to proceed with LG Election

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) mayoral candidate of Colombo Municipal Council in the upcoming Local Government Election, Mujibur Rahuman today filed a Fundamental Rights petition in Supreme Council seeking an order quashing the Cabinet Decision to instruct the District Returning Officers not to accept deposits from the Local Government Election candidates.

Committee on High Posts approves HC, Ambassador and two Chairpersons

The Committee on High Posts approved the appointment of a new High Commissioner, an ambassador and two Chairpersons, Secretary General of the Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said.

Two gang members clash in Jaffna similar to Kollywood style

At least four persons were injured in a clash between the Ava gang and the Kany gang operating in Jaffna today at Chunnakam , Jaffna.

CB assures interest rates can be relaxed after IMF bailout

The Central Bank has said that the interest rates can be relaxed once again with a cash infusion via the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) from International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Johnston asks for Trade Ministry?

Former Highways Minister Johnston Fernando is reported to have sought a cabinet portfolio from President Ranil Wickremesinghe since a new cabinet was sworn in a few months ago, the Daily Mirror learns.

China offers Sri Lanka debt moratorium, IMF help still in doubt

The Export-Import Bank of China has offered Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on its debt and said it will support the country’s efforts to secure a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, according to a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Writ petition filed against cabinet decision approving electricity tariff revision

A public interest litigation was today filed in the Court of Appeal seeking an order quashing Cabinet Decision approving the proposed electricity tariff revision.

Govt. to introduce E-License system to Import and Export Control Dept.

The Government today approved the proposal to introduce an E-License system to the Import and Export Control Department.

Boyfriend forces young girl sitting A/L exam to drink acid

A schoolgirl sitting for the GCE Advanced level Examination at an examination center in Kegalle town was hospitalised with burn injuries when a young man waylaid her and forced her to drink acid.

Power cut schedule until Thursday issued

The power cut schedule for tomorrow (25) and Wednesday (26) for two hour and twenty minutes was announced today, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) said.