Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Chilaw

5 hours ago - 0     - 366

Reverend Father Arachchige Don Wimal Siri Appuhamy Jayasuriya has been appointed as the new Bishop of Chilaw by the Holy Father Pope Francis, the Apostolic Nunciature in Sri Lanka (Embassy of the Holy See) said.

Vadivel Suresh appointed as Senior Advisor to the President

6 hours ago - 0     - 582

Parliamentarian Vadivel Suresh of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has been designated as a Senior Advisor to President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

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Snakes live in anthills inside school classroom in Serunuwara: Sajith

8 hours ago - 0     - 217

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said some buildings in the Somadevi Vidyalaya in Serunuwara were in dilapidated condition where even snakes have taken shelter in anthills inside classrooms.

Upcountry railway line disrupted again

9 hours ago - 0     - 226

The upcountry railway line was disrupted again today between Ohiya and Idalgashinna due to the collapse of earth mounds on the railway tracks, the Railways Department said.

SLC ground staff awarded with cash rewards

06 Dec 2023 - 3     - 1317

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) commenced the distribution of the US $50,000 award (RS. 16m) money promised during the Asia Cup to the ground staff of the RPICS, Colombo, and PICS, Kandy.

Air Astana launches four direct flights between Kazakhstan and Colombo

06 Dec 2023 - 1     - 767

Air Astana today launched four direct charter flights weekly between Kazakhstan and Colombo, Airport and Aviation Sri Lanka said.

Greater proportion of beggars in SL urban areas are women: A census reveals

06 Dec 2023 - 4     - 397

A recent census has revealed that a greater proportion of beggars in urban areas in Sri Lanka are women, Chairman of Ways and Means Committee Patali Champika Ranawaka revealed.

Sajith, Mahindananda clash rocks Parliament

06 Dec 2023 - 10     - 1764

A verbal clash between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage, where both hurled allegations at each other, rocked Parliament today.

Court orders to immediately produce ’Harak Kata’ before a Magistrate

06 Dec 2023 - 3     - 827

The Court of Appeal today held that Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias “Harak Kata” should be forthwith produced before a Magistrate if the CID is unable to produce fresh evidence to the Minister of Defense that he had committed any offense under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Sri Lanka seeks enhanced ties with West African nation Guinea-Bissau

06 Dec 2023 - 2     - 321

As part of Sri Lanka’s initiative to engage increasingly with Africa, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Kenya Kana Kananathan engaged in talks with Guinea-Bissau Foreign Minister Carlos Pinto Pereira.

Sri Lanka receives medical equipment worth 500 Mn yen from Japan

06 Dec 2023 - 2     - 399

In a significant stride towards combating non-communicable diseases (NCD) and curbing associated fatalities in Sri Lanka, the Japanese government has contributed a donation of 500 million yen worth of cutting-edge medical equipment to the Sri Jayawardenepura General Hospital.

Government concerned over drastic surge in dengue cases

06 Dec 2023 - 2     - 477

With a significant uptick in dengue cases coinciding with the advent of the rainy season, the attention of the government has been drawn towards immediate steps to mitigate the situation.

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur given rare 'obstructing the field' out

06 Dec 2023 - 5     - 2613

Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim became only the second batsman in Test history dismissed for obstructing the field in Wednesday’s second match against New Zealand in Dhaka.

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VAT to be charged on Suwaseriya ambulance imports?

06 Dec 2023 - 6     - 570

The 18 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) is to be charged from ambulances when they are imported, Chairman of the Public Finance Committee MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Alleged VIP assassination plot: DIG Nalaka De Silva released from case

06 Dec 2023 - 12     - 1210

The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today ordered to release former Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) DIG Nalaka De Silva from a case filed against him that he had allegedly plotted to assassinate former President Maithripala Sirisena and former Defence Secretary and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Sri Lanka among fastest growing tourism destinations for 2024

06 Dec 2023 - 18     - 1907

Sri Lanka has been acclaimed as one of the top five fastest-growing tourism destinations for the year 2024 by the travel guide ’Travel Off Path’.

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COPF approves increasing of VAT subjected to amendments

06 Dec 2023 - 4     - 1425

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has approved the increase of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 18 percent subjected to amendments, Committee Chairman Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Expressway Sub-Inspector fatally shot in apparent suicide

06 Dec 2023 - 2     - 1500

A Sub-Inspector attached to expressway duties died from a gunshot injury to the head, reportedly from his duty firearm at the Peliyagoda Interchange on the Katunayake Expressway.

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Cyclone ’Michaung’ crosses Andhra Pradesh, getting weaker

06 Dec 2023 - 1     - 473

The severe cyclonic storm ’Michaung’ has crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast of India, and this system is gradually weakening, the Meteorology Department said.

Agbo’s life in danger again

06 Dec 2023 - 6     - 694

Residents of Thirappane claim that the wild elephant, popularly known as Agbo, has started roaming around their villages due to its habituation and this has become a serious risk to the elephant.

SLAF invests USD 18 Mn to acquire two new Y-12IV aircraft from China

06 Dec 2023 - 20     - 1288

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) took delivery of two brand-new Harbin Y-12IV aircraft yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the modernization and expansion of its fleet. Manufactured by Harbin Aviation Industry Co. Ltd. in China, the acquisition of these state-of-the-art aircraft, at a cost of USD 18 million, is expected to play a pivotal role in promoting tourism within Sri Lanka.

Government planning to enable women to head security forces: State Minister

06 Dec 2023 - 4     - 423

State Minister of Defense Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said that the government is planning to enable women to head the Army, Navy and Air Force.

After relaxing all import restrictions since October

Christmas décor tops imports after two years: Customs

06 Dec 2023 - 4     - 816

Christmas decorations and goodies have topped the list of imports thus far since the relaxing of all import restrictions since October this year, Sri Lanka Customs said.

Doctors neglect work at prisons

06 Dec 2023 - 5     - 984

It has come to light that doctors assigned to prison hospitals in Sri Lanka neglected their duties in 2022, working significantly fewer hours than mandated by the Ministry of Health.

Drive carefully on upcountry roads, warns Nuwara Eliya DMC

06 Dec 2023 - 0     - 534

Nuwara Eliya District Disaster Management Centre has warned drivers to be cautious of possible dangers when motoring along upcountry roads due to the prevailing heavy rainfall.

January-September budget deficit widens despite increased tax revenues

06 Dec 2023 - 6     - 750

Despite increased tax revenues, Sri Lanka’s budget deficit widened in the first nine months to September 2023 compared to the same period last year, driven by a surge in expenses amid sharply rising prices.

YouTuber Trevor Jacob jailed after crashing plane for views

05 Dec 2023 - 0     - 2577

A YouTuber has been jailed for six months for deliberately crashing his plane for views, and then lying about it to US investigators.

International Taekwondo Meet in Colombo

05 Dec 2023 - 2     - 429

The Sri Lanka Taekwondo Federation (SLTF) will conduct an International Taekwondo Championship at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo, commencing tomorrow (6).

Kumara shines at IWF GP in Qatar

05 Dec 2023 - 1     - 365

Sri Lankan weightlifter Dilanka Kumara won two Bronze Medals at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Grand Prix 2023 event held in Doha, Qatar.

Customs seize Rs.43 Mn worth psychedelic drugs from Europe at CME

05 Dec 2023 - 8     - 961

The Sri Lanka Customs at the Central Mail Exchange (CME) seized multiple consignments containing psychedelic drugs worth over Rs. 43 million, sent from European countries addressed to bogus recipients in Sri Lanka.