“Sri Lanka Anti-doping organisation declared non-compliant” – WADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has put the National Anti-Doping Organisation of Sri Lanka on its non-compliance list, after the country’s national anti-doping body failed to address issues in its legal system, according to a statement from it.

Ten-year-old girl pregnant, stepfather arrested

An individual who raped and impregnated his ten-year-old stepdaughter was taken into custody by Galnewa Police yesterday.

Two more petitions filed in SC against Presidents’ Entitlements Repeal Bill

Two additional Special Determination petitions have been filed before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the proposed Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, which was presented in Parliament with the aim of repealing the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, No. 4 of 1986.

Nuwara Eliya’s beauty threatened as waterfalls face decline

Environmentalists stress that urgent steps require to be taken, even at this late stage, to safeguard the water resources that feed Nuwara Eliya’s waterfalls and preserve the town’s future as a premier tourist destination.

Strict regulations in place after Swine fever outbreak

Nearly 300 farms have already resumed operations; however, the department has imposed stricter rules, including mandatory farm registration and regular animal testing and inspections. In addition, loan facilities are being provided to affected farmers to help them restart their businesses.

Cabinet directs ministries to link with new National Cyber Protection Centre

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy, directing secretaries and heads of ministries to continuously obtain professional services from the newly established National Cyber Protection Operations Centre (NCPOC).

SLINEX-25 Naval exercise concludes off Colombo

The 12th edition of the Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise (SLINEX-25) concluded successfully on August 18 in the western seas off Colombo, further strengthening cooperation and interoperability between the two navies.

Thailand turns to Sri Lanka for 10,000 migrant workers

Thailand’s cabinet has approved the hiring of 10,000 Sri Lankan workers as it tries to address a labour shortage caused by Cambodian workers returning home in the wake of a deadly border conflict between the two countries, a Thai senior official said on Tuesday.

Mother, daughter attacked by wild elephant in Kasikote

In a latest incident involving human- elephant conflict, a mother and her 28-year-old daughter were attacked by a wild elephant last morning while on their way to a paddy field in the Kasikote area of Galgamuwa, police said. Both victims were rushed to the Kurunegala Hospital for treatment.

President urged to reverse decision on Cannabis cultivation

Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in writing, to reverse the decision to allow Cannabis cultivation in Sri Lanka. The SLMA, which is the academic body representing all the medical professionals in Sri Lanka, said it is extremely concerned by the announcement that foreign companies will be allowed to grow cannabis in Sri Lanka.

Over 2,000 Sri Lankan youth secure jobs in South Korea this year

A total of 2,522 Sri Lankan youth have left for employment opportunities in South Korea during the past few months, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said. The latest batch of 60 workers, including seven young women, departed yesterday (19) for jobs in the manufacturing sector. This marks the 923rd group of Sri Lankans deployed to South Korea under the existing employment agreement.

Hyde Park restricted for children

Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to change the long-standing practice of allowing the children living in Slave Island and other nearby areas to play at Hyde Park on selected days, an opposition member of the council said yesterday.

Rajitha seeks interim order on arrest warrant

Former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne yesterday filed a motion before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court seeking a temporary suspension of a warrant issued against him.

BIA restricts visitor access during peak hours

In response to growing congestion concerns, authorities at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have announced a new restriction on visitor access to the Departure Lobby during peak hours.

Basnayake Nilame appointment at Ratnapura Saman Devalaya riddled with political favouritism

Speculation is rife that the appointment of Basnayake Nilame of Sabaragamuwa Maha Saman Devalaya will go by political favour. The election of Basnayake Nilame is scheduled to take place today.

Massive fraud in Kandy MC water supply project

A massive fraud involving Rs. 240 million in the Kandy Municipal Council has come to light.

medical professionals to launch strike

All supplementary medical professionals attached to 31 hospitals under the Western Province have decided to launch trade union action from tomorrow (19).

Colombo cops supplied ritual items for DIG wife’s treasure hunting in Anuradhapura

A group of police officers, including the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of a Colombo police station, have allegedly provided items—including a live chicken and various ritual paraphernalia—for a religious ceremony linked to an illegal treasure hunt in Anuradhapura, in which the wife of a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police and seven others were arrested, informed sources said.

Govt hard pressed against time to repeal PTA

The government is hard pressed against time to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and gazette the new anti- terrorism bill next month in keeping with its pledge made to the Office of High Commissioner for Humam Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva.

Double whammy for Kumara Jayakody

Since then Jayakody and Dissanayake have shared a strong bond and Jayakody played a strong role in Dissanayake’s campaign prior to the Presidential Election.Now, with allegations surfacing that he may have misappropriated funds worth Rs. 8 million while heading the Fertiliser Corporation in 2015, President Dissanayake has been informed by some of his close confidantes that it will be better if Jayakody steps down.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith under attack after revealing move to normalise same-sex marriages in Sri Lanka

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, is under fire by various individuals on social media after he revealed about a “sinister move” by certain organisations, with the support of some political leaders, to allow same-sex

Monkey growth control Another field trial begins

A field trial of a novel small-sized loop, designed for implantation into the uterus of female monkeys to effectively prevent pregnancy, will commence in September at the TJC mango plantation in Kalawewa, Peradeniya University

Pathfinder Foundation conducts dialogue with Chinese Academics

The Pathfinder Foundation (PF) recently hosted an academic delegation from Beijing, China, at its Riverpoint headquarters in Peliyagoda. The session brought together former ambassadors, experts, and scholars from Peking

Lohan Ratwatte passes away

Kandy District former Parliamentarian and former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, 57, passed away yesterday at a private hospital in Colombo.

Common opposition platform to educate people across the country

Opposition parties met yesterday for yet another round of discussion on forming a common platform where parties could work on a common approach to face certain issues and run a campaign to educate people on them.

Tugboat Nandimithra to be restored soon, Gotaimbara could be next

Following instructions from Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwaku, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has expedited repair work on the tugboat Nandimithra, which has been out of service since December 29, 2021.

DIG’s wife among 8 arrested for alleged treasure hunting

Eight individuals, including the wife of a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police based in Colombo, were arrested yesterday (14) by Anuradhapura Police for allegedly digging for treasure in a rock cave on a property near a temple in the Shravasthipura, Thibirikadawala area.

100 smuggled pigeons seized in Talaimannar

The Special Task Force (STF) has seized some 100 pigeons allegedly smuggled into Sri Lanka by sea and hidden along the Nadukuda beach.

Suspected Israeli national found living in tent on Trincomalee beach detained

A foreign national suspected to be an Israeli citizen, found living in a tent on the Manayaweli beach for three days without a passport, visa, or identity card, has been ordered to be detained at the Mirihana Detention Centre for Foreign Nationals until August 20.

Hajj tour operators warn pilgrims of shady travel agents next season

The Hajj Tour Operators Association of Sri Lanka (HTOASL) yesterday warned thousands of Hajj pilgrims in Sri Lanka to be watchful in dealing with large sums of money for pilgrimage bookings from bogus travel agents.