One million passports issued in 2023; only 230,000 people migrated

It was revealed that only 230,000 people had migrated in 2023 whereas one million passports had been issued in the same year.

Efforts underway to rescue remaining 34 Sri Lankans stranded in Myanmar

While measures are taken to repatriate the rescued Sri Lankans from Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also working through the Sri Lankan missions in Yangon and Bangkok to rescue the remaining 34 Sri Lankans stranded in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar at present, with the support of the relevant governments.

Training on entering a ship or craft

Opening a new chapter in the defence activities in the Sri Lankan sea belt, a ship used in methods of training in seizing, entering and searching was declared open yesterday by US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung at the Sri Lanka Coast Protection Department’s training centre in Kirinda.

Senior journalist passes away

Senior journalist Pradeep Anura Kumara who was the media secretary of Minister of Housing Prasanna Ranatunga passed away.

Ex-SL diplomat ordered to pay $500,000 to domestic worker

An Australian Federal Court judge has slammed the Home Affairs Department for failing to properly scrutinise a Sri Lankan diplomat who confiscated a staffer’s passport and gave her just two days leave in three years.

Veddha Chief meets Mahanayake of Malwatta Chapter

Veddha Chief Uruvarigelage Vannila Ettho said his community that depended on forest resources to make a living were facing several issues that have been going on unchecked for generations.

Two illegally imported luxury vehicles surrendered to Bribery Commission

Two luxury vehicles, a Land Cruiser and a Pajero, which were illegally imported into the country, have been surrendered by their owners to the Intelligence Investigation Unit of the Bribery Commission.

Beware of fake weblinks promoting election related frauds !

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team | Coordination Centre (SLCERT|CC) warned the general public not to click on links that promote collecting personal information during the election period.

Location for new hospital in Biyagama selected

Presidential Advisor Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs R. H. S. Samaratunga together with several government officers selected a suitable location at Siyambalape Junction to construct the propose state of art hospital. Mr. Wijewardenne and Samaratunga are seen with other state officers at the site.

Gold biscuits valued at Rs. 44 million seized

A consignment of gold biscuits valued at Rs. 44 million was seized, and two air passengers who attempted to smuggle it into the country were arrested by the Customs Narcotic Control Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport during a raid in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Over 100 Indian army soldiers in Sri Lanka for military exercise

An Indian Army contingent comprising 15 officers and 91 other ranks participating in the annual joint military exercise ‘Mithrashakti’ arrived at the Mattala Airport on Monday, the Army said.

Cabinet approves Rs. 25,000 cost of living allowance, 24% salary increase for 2025

The Cabinet has approved a monthly cost of living allowance of Rs. 25,000 and a 24% increase in the minimum initial monthly salary for government employees, effective from the 2025 budget, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

Kandy goes dry as no booze for Perahera

Sale of all alcoholic beverages will be banned until Tuesday, August 20th in Kandy in respect of the Esala Pageant by order of the Excise Chief. The event has been underway from Saturday, August 10th.

Equipment donated to Balapitiya Hospital

A programme of donating equipment was held at Balapitiya Hospital under the leadership of the Hospital Services Council. The event was attended by the Director of the Hospital Services Council, Venerable Rajawelle Subhuthi Thera.

Bharat Kosh inaugurated at Colombo Public Library

Bharat Kosh, a repository of Indic knowledge, was inaugurated by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha at the Colombo Public Library yesterday.

President pledges to set up provincial economic development boards

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday announced the government’s decision to set up provincial economic development boards in a bid to decentralize economic authority among the provinces. The Government is working to ease numerous legal regulations that have impacted businesses and is developing a new institutional framework to support entrepreneurs, the President told the Kandy District Trade Association.

16-year-old schoolgirl delivers child

A 16-year-old schoolgirl in Buttala has delivered a child at Ragama Teaching Hospital.

Digitalisation is not just replacing blackboards with smart boards: Minister

Digitalisation in education is not just about replacing blackboards with smart boards; it has a much broader purpose and vision, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said at a recent Ministry event.

Kandy Esala festival commences with Kumbal procession

Inaugurating the Kandy Esala festival 2024, the first Kumbal procession paraded the streets on Saturday night (10).

Several issues resolved at land utilization programme in Mahara

A meeting to plan village land utilization took place recently at the Mahara Divisional Secretariat Auditorium. It was organized by the Mahara Divisional Secretariat and the Land Utilization Planning Department. Several issues affecting the agricultural sector were resolved at the programme. Senior officials of the relevant government institutions including Gampaha District Asst.

Candidates spending excessively to promote their candidacy: Rajapakshe

Presidential election candidate Dr, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that candidates were spending excessively to promote their candidacy regardless of the Act to Regulate the Election Expenses and that he drew the attention of Senior DIG in charge of election affairs Asanga Karawita to look into this issue and to work out an effective mechanism to prevent that irregularity.

Welikada Prison Riots: Lower court error frees former Prison Superintendent Lamahewa from death row

The Supreme Court yesterday ordered to acquit former Superintendent of Magazine Prison Emil Ranjan Lamahewa who was sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar over the killing of eight inmates on November 09, 2012.

Mohamed Shyam murder case: SC affirms death sentence for Vaas Gunawardena and five others

The Supreme Court five-judge bench yesterday decided to dismiss the appeal petitions filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena, and four police officers who challenged the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar judgment to impose the death sentence and convict them of committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

34 Govt. projects abandoned wasting over Rs.6 billion: Parliamentary Committee reveals

Some 34 development projects initiated for the last five to six years spending public funds of Rs.6.37 billion have been abandoned without putting to any use, the Parliamentary Committee revealed yesterday.

President Wickremesinghe addresses media heads

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a discussion with heads and representatives of media institutions in Colombo Sri Lanka on August 7, 2024, said he has no competition as his focus is on advancing the country.

Third Canadian Friendship Judo Championship on Aug 10,11

The 3rd Canadian Friendship Judo Championship will be held at the Indoor Stadium, Sport Ministry, Torrington Square on August 10th and 11th.

Media should become a strong institution that can save democracy; Former BASL Chief

Media is an institution that should be strong and independent in order to prevent democracy from dying just like the judiciary, police and independent commissions,former President of BAR Association Sri Lanka (BASL) Saliya Peiris said.

JMO recommends abortion on humanitarian grounds

JMO Karapitiya teaching hospital Dr.Rohan P.Ruwanpura said abortion should be allowed on justifiable humanitarian grounds and on scientific requirements.

Judgment on Vaas Gunawardena’s appeal today

The Supreme Court is to deliver its judgment today (8) regarding the appeal filed by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena, his son Ravindu Vaas Gunawardena and four police officers who challenged the Colombo High Court’s judgment to convict them for committing the murder of millionaire businessman Mohamed Shyam.

Ayurvedic practitioners to get additional service allowance: Minister

The additional service allowance, which was previously only available to western medicine doctors, will be given to Ayurvedic practitioners as well, State Minister for Indigenous Medicine Sisira Jayakody said yesterday.